(Toronto, ON) – The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Haley as its new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective November 26, 2024. Kathy joins the MTCC team as a dynamic leader with global expertise in strategic transformation, customer experience, and large-scale operations. She is the first woman to hold this position, and she is set to lead the MTCC into a new chapter.

Kathy brings extensive experience in leading successful multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. She is also recognized as a leading expert in the customer experience field, ranking among the top 2% of experts worldwide. Most recently, she served as the Chief Customer Experience Officer for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), where she was instrumental in making significant improvements to the customer experience at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International, and Newark Liberty International Airports. Kathy was also the inaugural president of North America’s first dedicated airport-rail system, the award-winning Union Pearson (UP) Express, operated by Metrolinx in Toronto.

“Kathy Haley’s proven track record in transforming customer experiences, managing complex large-scale operations and stakeholder groups, and driving business growth makes her an ideal leader for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,” said Justin Mooney, Chair of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s Board of Directors. “Her global experience, combined with her passion for elevating cities and regions, will be instrumental as we continue to position Toronto as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and events.”

“I am thrilled to return to my home city of Toronto and lead the Metro Toronto Convention Centre into its next chapter,” said Kathy Haley, President & CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “MTCC is a key asset to Toronto’s tourism and business ecosystem, and I look forward to working with the exceptional team to enhance the Centre’s global reputation, optimize its brand value, and deliver world-class experiences for visitors and event organizers alike.”

As President and CEO, Kathy will drive the MTCC’s future vision as the Centre strives to increase its role as a key contributor to the city, region, and country’s economy. She will also be tasked to enhance the MTCC’s customer service experience and operations.

The MTCC would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Ron Pellerine for his leadership and dedication as Interim President & CEO over the past year. Ron’s steady guidance has ensured the continued success of the Centre during this transitional period and paves the way for Kathy to build on this foundation to lead the MTCC into a bright future.

About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 40 years, the Centre has hosted over 22,000 events and has added over $9.2 billion in direct spending economic impact to the community. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

For more information, please contact:

Melanie Wade, Communications Manager – mwade@mtccc.com