NEW INSIGHTS FROM CANADIAN MEETING PLANNERS:
FOUR KEY TAKEWAYS

A new survey of Canadian meeting planners reveals insights on the timing of a recovery for the meetings, conferences and events industry. 

The survey, produced by Destination Toronto, was completed in August as we collectively work towards the recovery of the industry while also adhering to safe practices and public health guidelines.

A cross-section of Canadian meeting planners were surveyed including self-contained planners (booking meetings with fewer than 500 delegates) and city-wide planners (booking meetings with 500+ delegates).

Here are four key takeaways from the survey.

1. CANADIAN MEETING PLANNERS ARE FOCUSED ON RESCHEDULING OR REBOOKING EVENTS BEFORE PLANNING NEW ONES

With nearly all meetings, conferences and events being cancelled, postponed or re-booked since the start of the pandemic, it’s no surprise that meetings planners right now are largely focusing on rebooking or rescheduling lost business. Very few planners are currently focused on booking new events at this time.

2. MEETING PLANNERS ARE CURRENTLY RE-SCHEDULING MEETINGS IN 2021 AT THE EARLIEST

When asked when the earliest meetings planners are re-scheduling 2020 events, a majority of all planners are starting to reschedule in 2021. More than 80% city-wides are starting to reschedule in 2021 and more than 75% of self-contained events are starting to reschedule, particularly as the year progresses.

3. MEETING PLANNERS ARE STARTING TO SCHEDULE NEW EVENTS (BIG AND SMALL) IN 2021

While meeting planners are keeping their focus on rescheduling meetings, new events of all scales are starting to book in 2021. More new meetings with fewer than 500 delegates are starting to book in 2021 than city-wide meetings. Still, many new meetings (particularly city-wides) are starting to be scheduled outside of next year.

4. LOCATION, VALUE-ADDS AND ACCESSIBILITY CONTINUE TO BE MOTIVATORS TO BOOK MEETINGS IN TORONTO

Choosing Toronto as a meeting destination has a diverse range of motivators for planners. Cost-reduction and value adds, location, accessibility, and venue choice are all consistently ranked as key motivators. However, COVID-19 safety procedures are not ranked highly as a motivating factor.  

Click here to view a breakdown of the four key insights from the survey (PDF)

Destination Toronto is committed to working with our partners, our industry and the broader Toronto community to help build back the meetings, conferences and events industry – a vital component of the city’s visitor economy. We will once again be surveying Canadian meeting planners this fall to capture industry progress, including more insights into larger city-wide events.

SUBMIT YOUR UPCOMING EVENT:
DESTINATION TORONTO'S CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Do you have an upcoming public-facing event to promote? If so, submit it to be included on Destination Toronto's calendar of events. Events can be in-person, virtual or live-streamed, with all event lengths being included whether a pop-up, a weekend event or longer. With Fall quickly approaching, now is the time to take advantage of the events calendar. Be sure to include an image to go with your posting. 

Events can be submitted directly on our website. Please allow time for events to be posted as all event postings are moderated. 

APPLY FOR THE WTTC 'SAFE TRAVEL STAMP'

The WTTC in cooperation with the provincial government has created a self-certified Safe Travel Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols the WTTC has put together for every aspect of the hospitality and tourism sector. TIAO is the official designated body administering the Safe Travel Stamp.  

The stamp will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.

Safe Travel resources and more info are available on the TIAO website. 

SOCIAL SERIES:
FEATURING FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK, ONE KING WEST, MIKU TORONTO AND YORKVILLE MURALS

GOVERNMENT UPDATE:
ONTARIO EXTENDS SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY COVID-19 

The Ontario government is helping protect jobs and businesses by extending protection to prevent temporary layoffs from automatically becoming permanent job losses. Although Ontario is now in Phase 3 of reopening, this extension will give businesses more time to reopen and return to full operations. This extension will last until January 2, 2021. 

INDUSTRY NEWS

McMaster HealthLabs, Air Canada and GTAA to Conduct Voluntary COVID-19 Study of Arriving International Travellers: The organizations are partnering on a voluntary COVID-19 study of international travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The study's core purpose is to gather information to explore the effectiveness of various quarantine periods for travellers. 

CNE estimates a 95 per cent drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic and cancellation: The CNE is reporting a loss of $6 million for 2020 and $128 million in economic impact to the province from the loss of tourism, jobs, supplier contracts, artist fees, and retail transactions.

Bruce MacMillan appointed Chief Operating Officer at PCMA to Lead Recovery Discovery: PCMA has announced the appointment of Bruce MacMillan as Chief Operating Officer to support continued activation of PCMA’s global business events recovery plan – Recovery Discovery. MacMillan joined PCMA a year ago as Chief Marketing Officer.