INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR OCTOBER 22, 2021

TORONTO INNOVATORS TAKE CENTRE STAGE WRLDCTY 2021

For the 2nd year in a row, Toronto will be a host city for WRLDCTY - a global forum for urban Innovation. WRLDCTY 2021 will feature sessions from the world’s best cities with Toronto’s content conceptualized in partnership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade and Toronto Global. 

We’re extending an opportunity to register for the full conference for free using Destination Toronto’s exclusive promo code: TORONTOGUEST.  

WRLDCTY runs from October 26-28, with Toronto’s program airing on Oct 27 from 1-7 pm EST. Find out more and register for WRLDCTY in an article by Destination Toronto’s Andrew Weir on the Terminal. 

TRADE SHOWS RETURN TO TORONTO WITH CMEEXPO

It’s been a long time coming. This week marks the first industry trade show hosted in Toronto since the onset of the pandemic. The Canadian Meetings + Events Expo is Canada’s largest and longest running conference and trade show for professionals who plan, organize or influence meetings and events. The Destination Toronto team was on hand at the MTCC for the expo, targeting Canadian corporate, association and 3rd Party Intermediaries. Our team was joined on the sales floor by the sales teams from the MTCC and Exhibition Place.

COLLISION 2022 SET TO RETURN TO TORONTO

Following a 2 year absence due to ongoing restrictions, the phenomenally successful tech conference Collision is set to return to Toronto in 2022 from June 20-22. You can pre-register for the conference today! In the meantime, read a new blog directly from Collision about 5 reasons they can’t wait to return to Toronto.

REMINDER: UPLOAD YOUR EVENTS TO THE TORONTO EVENTS DATABASE

The Toronto Events Database (aka T.E.D.) is a new initiative to create the most robust and current database of things to do in Toronto. T.E.D. will fuel a network of calendars including the events calendar at DestinationToronto.com, to build and reach new audiences made up of locals and visitors alike. This new database offers a single point for event producers to easily list their events at no cost.

Do you have an event coming up? Submit your listing now! You can access T.E.D. through the front door to the Toronto Events Database Portal on NowPlayingToronto.com, a soon-to-be-launched, local-facing website created in partnership with the Toronto Alliance for Performing Arts coming later this fall (and open now for event submissions). For more information email support@NowPlayingToronto.com.

REMINDER: STAYING CONNECTED – IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATE

We want to continue to support you and your business by providing you the most up-to-date information, tools, and opportunities. Much has changed since March 2020, likely including some of the contacts and roles at your business, and also perhaps your address, website, email addresses and amenities. 

Make sure you stay connected and continue to receive Destination Toronto communications by ensuring your information is updated and current. You can do this directly in the Partner Portal. A dedicated team is also supporting the updates and will be following up shortly.

NEW REPORT: NO RECOVERY IN SIGHT FOR PERFORMING ARTS

A report from the Canadian Association for Performing Arts shows that - despite a gradual easing of restrictions - performing arts companies, presenters and festivals still showed no signs of economic recovery in the second quarter of 2021. The report finds that GDP for the sector is 64% its pre-pandemic level. Live performance jobs also declined 5.5%, the lowest levels since the start of the pandemic.

TOURISM HR CANADA LAUNCHES NEW STUDENT WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Tourism HR Canada has launched Propel, a student work placement program offering Canadian tourism employers a wage subsidy of up to 75% of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500, in an effort to help bridge the gap between progressive employers looking to nurture talent and develop skills, and students who are looking to gain real life experience. Email questions you may have to propel@tourismhr.ca.

ONTARIO CAUTIOUSLY LIFTING CAPACITY LIMITS IN SELECT SETTINGS: Ontario cautiously lifted capacity limits in select indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, as well as certain outdoor settings that have a capacity below 20,000. Capacity limits have been lifted to allow full capacity including concert venues, theatres and cinemas; meeting and event spaces (indoor meeting and event spaces will still need to limit capacity to the number that can maintain physical distancing); and commercial film and television productions with studio audiences. Notably absent are bars and restaurants which have yet to return to full capacity. 

ONTARIO ROLLS OUT ENHANCED VACCINE CERTIFICATES WITH QR CODES: All Ontario residents can now download COVID vaccine QR codes. The province has now allowed for all Ontario residents to download an enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which includes a QR code, that works as proof of their vaccination.

RAPTORS RETURN!: The Raptors are back in Toronto after 600 days without a meaningful game played at the Scotiabank Arena. The Raps were at full capacity, having been given the greenlight from the province to return to capacity with proof of vaccination in place.

FANEXPO RETURNS TODAY: FanExpo Canada returns to the MTCC from Oct 22-24 - the largest comics, Sci-Fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in North America. FanExpo is 3 days of events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities.

REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL NOW PLAYING: Reelworld is the largest national platform dedicated to changing the face of the media landscape by empowering and showcasing Canadians identifying as Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American talent in the screen-based industries. Reelworld runs from Oct 20-27.

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