(Toronto, ON) The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Canada’s leading convention facility, is pleased to announce that it set new facility records for securing major conventions in 2022 and in fiscal year 2023/24.

The MTCC will host 21 citywide conventions in fiscal year 2023/24, the highest yearly total in the facility’s 38-year history.

The 21 citywide conventions will generate an estimated $246 million in direct spending economic impact for the region and bring over 100,000 attendees to the heart of Toronto. Economic impact is incredibly valuable for the region and local businesses. It is created when attendees from outside the city spend on local dining, hotels, shopping, transportation and more in the city.

A few examples of the citywide conventions coming to the MTCC in fiscal 2023/24 include the American Counselling Association (ACA) Annual Conference & Exhibition, the SIBOS 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition, the World Stroke Congress 2023, and the American Anthropological Association 2023 Annual Meeting. The largest is projected to be the Ontario Dental Association Annual Spring Meeting with an estimated 12,000 attendees.

In 2022, the Centre broke another record when it booked seven international meetings for future years, the most ever secured in one year. The wins were achieved together with Destination Toronto, and with the Leaders Circle and the invaluable support of local experts.

The larger international meetings booked for future years in 2022 will take place for the first time ever in Toronto within the timespan of 2025 to 2030. Each will bring approximately 2,000 to over 4,000 attendees from around the world, including global experts, scientists, and researchers.

Securing international meetings is an extremely competitive process, with many top cities around the world vying for the same conventions. Topics will include photogrammetry and remote sensing, pathology, and obesity and metabolic disorders to name a few. Many meeting bids require the participation of a local expert, and the Leaders Circle works to match experts to international meetings and then helps them every step of the way from the bid book submission to convention planning.

“Our team continues to work tirelessly to book meetings and conventions that make key economic contributions to the province and our city. These results are a positive signal for the business events industry and our facility following a few challenging years,” said Lorenz Hassenstein, President and CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “Particularly, booking international meetings is an extremely competitive process, and we would like to thank our industry partners at Destination Toronto, the Leaders Circle and the incredible local experts we work with for their continuous collaboration and support.”

“The MTCC is a world-class venue with a proven track record for hosting major events and conventions that help generate a positive economic impact – for both the City of Toronto and the province,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “This record-breaking achievement is a clear indication that the centre is making great contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry, ensuring the province remains a premier attraction for convention attendees and tourists alike.”

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About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 38 years, the Centre has hosted over 21,000 events and has added over $8.2 billion in direct spending economic impact to the community. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

About the Leaders Circle

The Leaders Circle program partners with top thinkers, innovators, and researchers throughout the Toronto region to bring international meetings to the city. These meetings showcase Toronto as a place of innovation, excellence, and opportunity. Supported by the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Destination Toronto, the Leaders Circle ensures Toronto hosts international meetings that provide a transfer of knowledge, build on the city’s global reputation, promote innovation and ground-breaking institutions, and leave a legacy of social and economic benefits to the city and region. For more, please visit www.theleaderscircle.ca.

Media enquiries:

Melanie Wade, Social Media and Communications Specialist
T: (647) 831-6307 E: mwade@mtccc.com