CANADA MEETINGS Blog | Destination Canada Business Events

Curating meetings and event news from

across Canada

Canada Meetings brings inspiration, insights, and the latest news from around Canada’s business events industry. Our curated posts, practical advice and spotlight features help you make the most of meeting in Canada — north of the 49th parallel.

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Canada Night at 2023 IMEX America in Las Vegas

In Canada, business events deliver powerful cultural experiences

Halifax Prepares to Showcase its Ocean Tech Know-How

As a project engineer, Christopher Whitt already had his hands full working on a range of ocean acoustic monitoring initiatives. But when the opportunity to bid on OCEANS 2024 came up in 2018, he couldn’t pass on bringing one of the most esteemed oceans conferences to Halifax. The city’s capabilities in the sector had been rapidly expanding — and this was an excellent way to spotlight just that, he thought.

Making a splash about ocean conservation

With its strategic location on Canada’s west coast, talented workforce and world-class research facilities, Vancouver leads the way in marine conservation. So, when Sabine Jessen of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) — expert in ocean conservation and sustainable development — received a request from the Vancouver Convention Centre to support a bid for the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), she didn’t hesitate to get on board.

A major player in industrial technology showcases its edge

Nearly a decade ago, Dr. Sheldon Williamson set out to bring a major conference to Toronto: the 18th International Conference on Industrial Technology, or ICIT 2017. Sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, it was a highly sought-after event, with eight other destinations from around the world competing for the rights to host it. Working alongside the Leaders Circle, Toronto’s conference ambassador program, Williamson began to assemble a persuasive bid.

Panoramic view of Québec City, featuring the Château Frontenac, credit: © Ville de Québec

Québec City effortlessly blends science and entertainment

Not many scientific conferences offer the chance to hear from Nobel Laureates by day, while listening to the world’s top musical artists at night. But that’s exactly what Dr. Normand Voyer achieved. In 2016, the Université Laval chemist and professor helped land the rights to host the 13th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC) in Québec City in 2018, which was held during the highly popular Festival d’été de Québec.

Putting the spotlight on an overlooked gem in isotopes

Isotopes play a vital role in our world. Whether it’s fighting the toughest diseases or providing a deeper understanding of our planet, they impact our lives in profound ways. When it comes to their production, one Canadian city has long flown under the radar as a major hub for innovation: Saskatoon. Thanks to the efforts of two esteemed local scientists, this expertise is about to be catapulted into the global spotlight.

Group of global association and corporate executives gathered in Waterloo, Ontario

An exclusive look at the future of advanced manufacturing in Waterloo

Embracing traditions while discovering the future in Halifax

How one conference left a lasting legacy in Halifax

In the early 2000s, Halifax, Nova Scotia embarked on an ambitious quest to grow its life sciences ecosystem across a span of sub-sectors — including neuroscience. Nestled along the east coast of Canada, the harbour city had all the ingredients for a thriving sector: an impressive track record in brain research, world-leading healthcare facilities and vibrant post-secondary institutions, supportive government infrastructure, along with an exceptional talent pool.