Destination Canada Powers Economic Growth with ICAF Bringing 21 Major Conferences to Canadian Cities

Thursday, October 31, 2024

In March 2024, Destination Canada launched the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a groundbreaking initiative funded by the Canadian government to position Canada as a global leader in hosting major business events. Within just a few months, the program has supported 21 successful bids by Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), winning a diverse lineup of high-value international conferences.

As part of Destination Canada’s business event strategy, the ICAF offers Canadian cities a competitive edge in the global convention market. Many Canadian destinations are still striving to regain pre-pandemic activity levels in the business events sector. Given that booking decisions for such events are typically made years in advance—often between two and ten years—the ICAF’s funding is crucial to securing future conferences and building a robust pipeline of international events.

This three-year program promises financial backing of up to $1 million per bid for qualifying Canadian destinations. Supported by a $50 million allocation from Canada’s 2023 budget, the program specifically targets major international conferences aligned with Canada’s economic priorities.

Since its debut, the ICAF has become a focal point for DMOs, spurring significant interest and applications. As of now, 21 events are confirmed, and an additional 30 bids await decisions from event organizers. These confirmed conferences are projected to bring in over 51,000 international delegates, generating an anticipated direct economic impact exceeding $122 million.

Canadian cities, including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa, and St. John’s, have already secured several prominent events with ICAF support, highlighting Canada’s reputation as a preferred business events destination. Among the confirmed conferences are:

• Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, projected to bring $18.8 million in economic impact.
• 2027 World Road Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia, expected to generate $10.2 million in economic activity.
• 2028 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Montreal, Quebec, with an estimated impact of $6.6 million.
• 2025 International Symposium on Avian Influenza in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, projected to contribute $524,468.
• 2028 International Geological Congress (IGC) in Calgary, Alberta, anticipated to deliver a $15.4 million economic impact.

Targeting Canada’s strategic economic sectors—including advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, life sciences, natural resources, digital industries, and finance and insurance—the ICAF aligns with Destination Canada’s broader business events strategy. This includes powerful marketing campaigns and Canadian representation at key industry events where the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector can expand its global reach.

Canada’s business events sector plays a vital role in the national economy, contributing an estimated $47 billion annually and supporting over 240,000 jobs. Through the ICAF, Destination Canada aims to further elevate the country’s profile on the international stage, ensuring a steady influx of global business leaders, innovators, and industry experts in the years ahead.

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec: “Competition for international events is fierce – and Canada is winning! Thanks to our historic investments through the International Convention Attraction Fund, we’ve already landed 21 major conferences. These events showcase the best of our country to some 51,000 overnight delegates from around the world – who spend twice as much as leisure travellers – while creating opportunities for our businesses. We look forward to welcoming the world to Canada!”

Marsha Walden, President and CEO, Destination Canada: “This fund is the cornerstone of our competitiveness in attracting major international conferences to Canada. Canada has shown up with our destination partners where it matters, at the top major business events in our key markets. The impact of this work is clear. The results speak for themselves, and this is just the start. The top conferences this fund has secured will bring the best and the brightest minds to Canada: healthcare innovators, energy and resource visionaries, trailblazers advancing AI and technology.”

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