The country — known for being welcoming, accessible, and boasting standout public safety, as well as being an industry leader in key sectors like technology and life sciences — is home to a host of exceptional convention centres, including many LEED and BOMA-certified sustainable venues.
In Canada, planners have their pick of contemporary, state-of-the art facilities in vibrant urban centres across the country, where you’ll find immense knowledge capital nestled amongst breathtaking natural landscapes. As the industry reignites, events are already flooding back into the country’s dynamic cities, like Montréal, Québec City and Vancouver, and influential events are taking place this year and beyond.
Here are some of the key events planned in the near future:
Leading experts
One of the leading North American cities for conventions, Montréal’s focus on innovation centres around life sciences, technology, gaming and aerospace. The city combines the vibrancy of North America with an element of European chic, and is home to top-notch research centres, universities and cutting-edge conference venues, including the state-of-art Palais des congrès de Montréal.
This August, Palais des congrès de Montréal will welcome the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), a six-day event revolving around the theme “A Change is Gonna Come,” with a program focusing on innovation.
Given the number of best-in-class research institutions in the city, it makes sense that ESA would choose Montréal. One way that the event is tapping into the city’s innovation ecosystem is through professor Etienne Laliberté of the Université de Montréal, who leads the Laboratory of Plant Functional Ecology and is co-director of Québec’s Center for Biodiversity Science. Professor Laliberté is taking part as a keynote speaker, and his expertise is sure to elevate the event agenda.
Old world charm
Québec City is a leader in technology, agribusiness and life sciences, and home to a number of ICT pros and local thought leaders that associations can invite to participate in events. This, and the city’s leadership in the life sciences, are some of the reasons Québec City was chosen to host the 24th edition of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology Congress (ISEK 2022) this June at the Québec City Convention Centre, a cutting-edge conference centre that places attendees in the heart of Québec City.
The event will be co-chaired by two professors at Québec City’s Université Laval, Laurent Bouyer and Jean-Sébastien Roy, who are also members of Québec City’s Ambassadors’ Club, one of many Canadian resources that event planners can access to enhance their event.
Bringing more than 500 scientists from 30 countries, the biennial conference will focus on the control of human movement and the neuromuscular system. One of 24 national and international conferences planned in the city between now and 2025, organizers deemedQuébec City “an excellent choice due to the recent advances the Rehabilitation Department of the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval and the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS) have conducted in the field,” Roy explained.
Other events hosting in the city can access similar intellectual resources, including established industry leading organizations, disruptive start-ups, and 5,500 researchers and associates across a range of fields. Planners are also able to take advantage of the other benefits of hosting in Québec City, like attracting more attendees through the enticement of the city’s old world charm and cultural sophistication.
Natural advantage
Vancouver’s synergy with the natural world attracts conferences like the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), a global forum that unites ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials. The event, which will take place next February at the Vancouver Convention Centre, will feature a number of global initiatives, including the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the Global Ocean Alliance, and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.
Considering Canada for your next event? For impartial insights, inspiration and introductions, planners can contact the Destination Canada Business Events team via their website. Or reach out to Virginie De Visscher, Senior Director of Business Development, Economic Sectors, Destination Canada Business Events directly at Devisscher.virginie@destinationcanada.com
“In recent years, Canada has made historic investments in ocean conservation, innovation, and sustainability,”explains the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “At IMPAC5, we look forward to showcasing Canada’s leadership in protecting biodiversity and working together to protect the health of our ocean now and for future generations.”
A city sitting in the midst of coastal mountains, Vancouver is the ideal mix of nature and culture, allowing attendees to embrace the great outdoors while also experiencing one of the country’s most exciting culinary scenes. The city’s connection to the natural world is one of the reasons it is considered a global leader in terms of natural resources and life sciences, with the University of British Columbia boasting some of the leading researchers in the fields.
Reignited spirit
These are just three of the events that are coming to Canada in the near future, as the events industry reignites, and they serve as clear case studies as to why people are drawn to Canada. The combination of the country’s innovative approach to, and leadership in, several influential sectors — which planners can leverage to their advantage — and its dynamic urban centres make the country an obvious draw for events, and many more planners will be looking to Canada as they plan their next event