From Northstar Meetings Group: During the IMEX Frankfurt 2025 trade show, Virginie De Visscher, executive director, business events, for Destination Canada, sat down with Northstar Meetings Group editor Lisa Grimaldi to share insight into her organization’s goals for tracking the impact that meetings, conventions and incentives have on destinations. During their conversation, she discussed new…
From Destination Canada: At IMEX Frankfurt, we shared insights that are reshaping how the global business events community thinks about legacy. Destination Canada’s Virginie De Visscher, together with The Iceberg, #MEET4IMPACT and GainingEdge revealed Year 2 findings of the Legacy & Impact Study—a groundbreaking initiative spotlighting the beyond-tourism benefits of business events.
Destination Canada’s Legacy & Impact Study examines the lasting economic, social and environmental impacts of up to 16 business events held across Canada between 2018 and 2024. This case study highlights the legacy of the CitiesIPCC Cities and Climate Change Science Conference, which inspired cutting-edge urban climate science research in Edmonton and beyond. …
From Skift Meetings: As U.S.-Canada tariffs take hold and cross-border meeting attendance dips, one veteran planner is helping associations rethink US-Canada event strategies. Some associations are moving events from the US to Canada, where favorable exchange rates, easier visa processes, and lower costs make it an appealing alternative. As the US dollar weakens under new…
From Destination Canada: In a world of uncertainty, tourism is one of Canada’s most stable and high-performing sectors, producing a total economic impact of $252 billion and driving growth in over 5,000 communities from coast to coast to coast. An independent report from Tourism Economics clearly demonstrates that the travel and tourism sector is a…
Attracting knowledge, investment, and talent to a destination as the 3 pillars of a Knowledge & Creative Economy requires an ability to attract -and convene – business and professional communities from all over the world. The City of Calgary, famed for its Stampede, has emerged as a round-the-clock meeting space for all manner of sectoral…
At Meetings Mean Business Canada’s March 27, 2025, Annual General Meeting, six newly elected board members were welcomed, bringing fresh perspectives, diverse expertise and strategic insights to help guide the organization’s future direction. The new board members include Susan Freeman (Meet PEI), Ingrid Jarrett (IJM Consulting), Andrew Weir (Destination Toronto), Carly Grace (Rogers Centre Ottawa),…
From Le Devoir: Cities are fighting over international conferences, whose economic benefits and influence are the stuff of dreams. In Canada and Quebec, organizations support municipalities and institutions that are trying to secure such events. In April 2024, the teams from Tourisme Montréal and the Palais des congrès de Montréal created the Collectif Savoir, whose…
From Skift Meetings: The Trump administration’s new tariffs and government travel restrictions are dealing a blow to cross-border business events. With US delegate attendance declining and high-profile cancellations like Canada House at SXSW, the industry faces mounting challenges. “I have had one client try to cancel their leadership summit in Chicago, one client who is…
From Destination Canada: Destination Canada has released a first-of-its-kind measurement tool that looks beyond traditional metrics like visitor spending and arrivals to assess the comprehensive benefits tourism brings to Canadians. Tourism’s Wealth & Wellbeing Index highlights the sector’s role in empowering communities, preserving culture, protecting Canada’s natural assets, and driving economic growth – demonstrating tourism’s…
From Skift Meetings: President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on nearly all goods from Canada has been put on hold for 30 days, but business event leaders are still nervous. When the tariff was announced, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau matched the 25% tariffs on American goods in response. In addition, 10% tariffs on all…
From Destinations International: Destination Vancouver is a non-profit, member-based destination marketing and management organization that promotes the spectacular city of Vancouver, British Columbia, as a premier travel destination. We support Vancouver’s tourism industry through marketing initiatives, event support, and partnerships with local businesses and institutions to attract visitors from around the world with a mission…
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Stephanie Lynch is a results-driven event professional with a proven track record of creating impactful experiences and driving measurable success. With over eight years at Explore Edmonton, Stephanie has consistently demonstrated her expertise in event strategy, economic impact maximization, and stakeholder collaboration. Currently serving her second term as Chair of the International Congress and Convention…
From IMEX: Destination Canada were the winners of the 2023 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. Presented during IMEX Frankfurt, the award honors outstanding achievements in sustainable innovation in the business events industry. IMEX Brand Ambassador, Tanja Knecht spoke to Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director Business Events, Destination Canada about their winning project, the Canadian Business…
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Caroline Lepage is a visionary leader and trailblazer in the meetings and events industry, currently serving as CEO of the Québec City Convention Centre and Québec City Business Destination. With a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s in Commerce, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise to her role….
Nestled along Canada’s majestic St. Lawrence River, Québec City is a charming blend of history, culture, and innovation. As one of North America’s oldest cities, it exudes European charm with cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and its iconic Château Frontenac. Québec City is more than a picturesque setting — it’s a hub for world-class business events,…
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Destination Canada’s multimillion-dollar International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), launched in March 2024, has already supported 21 successful bids made by Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to host high-value major international conferences. Created and administered by Destination Canada, and funded by the Government of Canada, the ICAF is a vital component of Destination Canada’s strategy to…
From Event Industry News: Destination Canada’s Business Events team has launched the latest resource to come from its Canadian Business Events Sustainability Plan, Canada’s Sustainability Storybook. This sustainability storybook shares initiatives from communities which actively host business events and presents turnkey solutions to inspire and challenge business events decision-makers, planners, sustainability professionals and host destinations,…
As a member of the SITE International Board of Directors, Destination Canada’s Senior Director, Business Events, Jennifer Attersall, CIS highlights the importance of viewing sustainability as more than environmental. Jennifer also encourages telling the story of what makes your destination unique, while respecting other cultures coming in and emphasizes the importance of using inclusive language.
Destination Canada’s Legacy & Impact Study is tracking the beyond-tourism benefits of up to 16 business events held across Canada between 2018 and 2024. This case study examines the extraordinary legacy of the Insects to Feed the World Conference, which has had a powerful impact on research and industry in Québec. From structuring an…
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