Toronto, ON: For the third time in 12 years, Toronto is serving as host city for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), an annual, global convergence of the tech giant’s top partners. More than 16,000 delegates representing over 135 countries will meet in Toronto from July 10 to 14 at a highly anticipated event that is poised to bring more than $70 million in visitor spending to the community. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) will act as convention headquarters, while daily morning keynote sessions and the conference closing event will take place at the Air Canada Centre. What’s more, over 300 additional networking events and meetings are expected to take place in hotels, restaurants, and other establishments throughout the city.
 
“This is one of the most important technology meetings of the year and it says a lot about Toronto that Microsoft is returning for a third time,” said Johanne Belanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “Delegates and meeting planners choose Toronto because it is an accessible global hub with a rich vein of innovation and entrepreneurship, with the vibrant city backdrop of Canada’s downtown.”
 
“The return of Microsoft WPC is a significant event that we not only welcome, but recognize throughout Toronto,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO of MTCC. “The city-wide reach of a conference of this magnitude is undeniable; hundreds of businesses and thousands of Torontonians are welcoming the opportunity to extend their hospitality to thousands of delegates hailing from all over the world.”
 
With MTCC’s convenient downtown location and close proximity to a wide spectrum of world class sights, Toronto is providing a dynamic city backdrop to complement the education and discourse on innovation and business growth expected at the conference.
 
“The Toronto Entertainment District is thrilled to welcome back WPC, as this is a fantastic opportunity for international delegates to experience Toronto, one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world,” said Janice Solomon, Executive Director of the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area. “MTCC is ideally located at the centre of it all, allowing visitors to experience an array of attractions, events, restaurants and nightlife.”
 
“I am so thrilled to welcome colleagues and valued partners from all over the world back to the great city of Toronto,” said Microsoft Canada President Janet Kennedy. “Canada is a very important market for Microsoft.  Our investment in the Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre in Vancouver, new datacentres in Toronto and Quebec City and now the return of WPC to Toronto, reflects Microsoft’s confidence in Canada as a technology leader and our commitment to this country.”
 

 
About Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,000 members established to sell and market the greater Toronto region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travellers around the globe. Tourism Toronto operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association. For more information please visit SeeTorontoNow.com.
 
 
About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 30 years, the Centre has hosted over 18,000 events, entertained more than 55 million guests and has added $5.1 billion in direct spending to the community. For further information, please visit mtccc.com.
 
About the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area
Established in 2008, in support of the businesses of this area, the Toronto Entertainment District BIA’s mandate is to promote, improve and preserve this dynamic area of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District has established itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. For information, visit www.torontoed.com.
 
Media Contacts:
Karly Melo
Media Relations Manager
Tourism Toronto
(416) 987-1736
kmelo@torcvb.com
 
Christine Tse                                                                     
Marketing Manager                                                       
Metro Toronto Convention Centre                                                                                         
(416) 585-8106                                                  
ctse@mtccc.com