INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR MAR 30, 2023

Today is Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). Led by Meetings Mean Business Canada, GMID is a day to celebrate the power of meetings and events to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster innovation. As Toronto enters a busy business events season, read about the impact of these events, why advocacy is so important, and other key ways to engage with the visitor economy including our newly relaunched membership program and a host of upcoming industry events.

WHY HOSTING BUSINESS EVENTS IN TORONTO IS CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMY

Business events are a key driver of the visitor economy, delivering over $1 billion in economic impact in 2019. 

In our latest Terminal article, Tara Gordon, SVP of Global Sales & Services, discusses the upcoming busy events season, the short-term outlook, and the value of face-to-face meetings. 

HOW TORONTO’S VISITOR ECONOMY HELPS BUSINESSES THRIVE

To help shine a light on the importance of business events for Global Meetings Industry Day, Canadian Business magazine asked three Canadian stakeholders what they think about Toronto’s booming events industry.

FEDERAL BUDGET SHOWS SUPPORT OF TOURISM SECTOR AND BUSINESS EVENTS

On March 28, the Government of Canada released the federal budget with a new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy that includes a multi-year investment in destination marketing to attract major international conventions, conferences, and events to Canada, as well as other tourism support. 

Read TIAO’s overview of the federal budget here, and their overview of the provincial budget released on March 23 here.

DESTINATION TORONTO’S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS BACK

Destination Toronto’s membership program is back and reenergized! Becoming a member connects your business directly with Destination Toronto, and provides relevant tools to help you capitalize on the opportunities of visitor spending in Toronto. 

We invite you to renew your membership or join, and learn more about the program here. If you have questions or want to connect with us please contact our Memberships team at Memberships@DestinationToronto.com.

VIRTUAL REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING BRIEFING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 6

On April 6, Destination Toronto will host the second annual Spring Briefing event. There is still space for virtual attendance to hear the latest market readiness analysis and learn how to align business plans with some of Destination Toronto’s key initiatives and activities in the months ahead.

DESTINATION CANADA TED TALK: PAUL BLOOM, PSYCHOLOGY PROVOCATEUR

TED@DestinationCanada brought 14 of the brightest speakers and biggest change makers connected to Canada together on a global stage to inspire the world to see Canada for its unique blend of openness.

Now available on TED.com is the talk from Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and a part of Toronto’s thriving life science sector.

REGISTER FOR THE TASTE OF PLACE SUMMIT

Presented by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with George Brown College, the Taste of Place Summit is the global summit where destination and economic developers, managers, thought leaders and marketers meet to build their tastes of place, unlocking the positive power of growing culinary tourism.

GET SET FOR TOURISM WEEK 2023 

Tourism Week is an annual invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees – from coast to coast to coast. 

This year’s event will take place April 24-30, 2023. There’s no better time to celebrate the industry than this year - that’s why this year’s theme is CANADA: Powered by Tourism!

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE FIRST-EVER IMPACT SUSTAINABILITY TRAVEL & TOURISM - ONTARIO REGIONAL EVENT

Executed by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, IMPACT Regional Ontario will bring together thought-leaders, destinations, and industry experts across Ontario committed to making tourism more sustainable. 

From May 7 to 9, 2023, in Kingston, Ontario, the event features international best practices, invaluable resources, and new research in sustainable tourism.

ACA Conference & Expo 2023 Toronto - March 28-April 2, 2023

Ontario Public Service Employee Union 2023 Annual Conference - April 17-22, 2023

Ontario Volleyball Association Championships 2023 - April 17-25, 2023

Canadian Produce Marketing Association 2023 Convention and Trade Show - April 23-28, 2023

Ontario Association for Mathematics Education Conference 2023 - April 26-28, 2023

SIAL Canada 2023 Annual Trade Show - May 7-12, 2023

Ontario Dental Association Annual Spring Meeting - May 9-13, 2023

Urban Land Institute (ULI) Spring Meeting 2023 - May 14-19, 2023

Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2023 Annual Conference - May 24-28, 2023

City of Toronto continues legacy of waterfront development with more than $160 million committed in 2023 budget - City of Toronto

The CaféTO Property Improvement Program is now accepting applications - City of Toronto

CBSA to reopen all NEXUS airport enrolment centres - Government of Canada

5 Toronto Hotels Travel Advisors Should Know About - TravelMarket Report

Toronto Con Brillo Propio - Mexico Food & Travel

The Top 16 New Hotels in Canada - TravelAge West

TIAC Sustainability Workshops -  Virtual trainings and workshops free to the industry

Destination Toronto Spring Briefing - April 6, 2023, TD Music Hall

CHIC - Canadian Hotel Investment Conference - April 18-19, 2023, Fairmont Royal York Toronto

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism – ONTARIO: A Regional Event - May 7-9, 2023, University Biosciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario

Greater Toronto Hotel Association's Hotel Summit & Annual General Meeting - Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Sheraton Toronto Centre

Taste of Place - June 27-28, 2023, George Brown College

Ontario Hospitality Conference 2023 - October 2-3, 2023, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill

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