Collision Conference Moves to Toronto
Canada’s Fastest Growing Tech Hub Attracts North America’s Fastest Growing Tech Conference
North America's fastest growing tech conference will be moving to North America's fastest growing tech region when Collision heads to Toronto in 2019. The move secures Collision in Toronto for the next three conferences happening in 2019, 2020 and 2021, building on the Toronto region's momentum as a hub for technology and innovation and leveraging the strength of Canada as diverse and inclusive.
The conference is expected to bring more than 90,000 attendees to Toronto over the next three years with an economic impact of $147 million. The 2019 conference will take place at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place from May 20-23, 2019.
The announcement of Collision’s move to Toronto garnered support from the highest offices in Canada, “Here in Canada, we know innovation and inclusion go together and the rest of the world has taken notice. Tech talent is coming to our country in record numbers and with our Innovation and Skills Plan, our government is making it easier for innovators to succeed and for investors to support them. We know Collision will bring even more energy and vision to Toronto's tech scene,” said The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
John Tory, Mayor of Toronto notes, "Collision's decision to move confirms Toronto's status as an important innovation hub in North America and affirms what we already know – that Toronto is building an inclusive type of innovation that brings people together to solve the world's biggest challenges. We are looking forward to welcoming Collision and invite the rest of the world to join them."
Collision is the fastest growing tech conference in North America. Now in its fifth year, Collision has gone from 5,000 to an expected 25,000 attendees in 2018. Created by the team behind Web Summit, the world's largest and most influential tech event, Collision attracts CEOs of the world's largest companies, founders of exciting startups, leading investors and media, from more than 120 countries.
"Right now feels like a special moment for Canada, and for Toronto," said Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Collision. "There is such energy in the city, such an open, cosmopolitan and global atmosphere. Great companies are being started and incredible talent is coming out of the region." In a message posted on Collision's blog, Cosgrave went on to say, "I believe that Canada and Toronto have lived to some extent in the technology shadow of America, but that’s changing and changing fast. A new wave of Canadian founders are building companies, not just out of Canada, but all over the world. At the very moment when some countries around the world seem to be shutting their borders, when intolerance is on the rise, Toronto stands for diversity and inclusion. We are incredibly excited to work with the city of Toronto, Mayor John Tory, and the entire tech ecosystem to make sure Collision delivers an amazing experience for attendees in 2019."
The conference is entering its third year in New Orleans from April 30 to May 3, following a two year stay in Las Vegas. This is the first time the conference will be held outside of the U.S.
"Collision is one of the most coveted conferences a destination can host," said Johanne Bélanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. "Hosting a conference of this magnitude demonstrates how meetings and events can be a powerful catalyst for economic development for sectors like technology and innovation, showcasing and elevating the booming tech industry, people and companies that have made the Toronto region a tech powerhouse."
The Toronto region ranks as the largest tech sector in Canada and the third largest in North America. The sector employs 401,000 people in 18,000 tech companies, accounting for 15 per cent of all jobs in the Toronto region. The growth of the regional tech sector outpaced that of New York City and San Francisco combined in 2016. Based on that growth rate, Toronto will have more technology jobs than Silicon Valley within two years.
