INDUSTRY INSIGHTS & UPDATES FOR SEPT 14, 2023

In today’s issue of Terminal 2 we’re spotlighting the dates of upcoming DT events and talking all about esports! Esports is a rising opportunity for Toronto businesses and Toronto’s visitor economy, with two events this Fall - The Overwatch Grand Finals and The Pokemon Regional Championships. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO SCOTT BECK

On Friday, we shared the news that Scott Beck has accepted the position of President & CEO with San Francisco Travel. Scott will be with us until the end of October and the Board of Directors will work closely with Scott and our leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and to identify a new CEO for the organization. Please join us in thanking Scott for being an exceptional steward for Toronto and wishing him the best in his new role.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FORUM

The Business Outlook Forum brings together leaders from across the industry to share the latest data, insights and trends shaping the future of the visitor economy, along with Destination Toronto’s strategy for 2024. Save Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to attend the event with a networking lunch at the InterContinental Toronto Centre.

REGISTER FOR EDGE EVENT: MARKETING IN THE AGE OF AI

Join Destination Toronto on Monday, September 18 on a journey to better understand the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Meryam Al-waadh, Senior Analytical Lead at Google, will guide attendees through the basics of AI, examples of its practical uses, and advice for employing it ethically.

6IX TAKEAWAYS ON HOW ESPORTS IS CHANGING THE GAME

Toronto is growing as a host city for major esports events, with several new gaming venues in development. At the latest EDGE Event, a panel of experts discussed how esports creates opportunities for businesses in Toronto's visitor economy.

TORONTO’S RISE AS AN ESPORTS HUB

Later this September, Toronto will host the Overwatch Grand Finals. Matt McGlynn, Vice-President of Marketing & Brand at OverActive Media, Canada’s largest esports ownership group based in Toronto, shares what an esports tournament entails.

AN INSIDER’S TORONTO WITH VIDEO GAME EXPERT KRISTOPHER ALEXANDER

Kristopher Alexander, otherwise known as “The Professor of Video Games” takes us through his top places to play and connect in Toronto.

TOURISM LEADERS LAUNCH NEW PROGRAM TO SUPPORT TRUTH & RECONCILIATION

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada recently announced a new Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF). The ITDF will bring ITAC (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada) one step closer to its ambitious goal of Canada becoming a world leader in Indigenous tourism, seeking to raise $2.6 billion over seven years.

The below citywide meetings (more than 1,500 attendees) will be in Toronto over the next two months. The customized microsites are provided to select meetings as part of our 6ix Stack Attendance Marketing Program. We encourage you to engage with attendees while they are in town using the meeting hashtags.

SWIFT - Sibos 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition - Sept 18-22, 2023 

6ix Stack: Sibos 2023 microsite #Sibos

ICS 2023 - International Continence Society Annual Scientific Meeting - Sept 25 - Oct 1, 2023

6ix Stack: ICS 2023 microsite #ICSmeeting 

Blizzard Entertainment Inc Overwatch Grand Finals - Sept 28 - Oct 1, 2023

American Society for Surgery of the Hand 78th Annual Meeting - Oct 1-9, 2023

6ix Stack: American Society for Surgery of the Hand microsite

TD Bank SMG 2023 - Oct 3 - 5, 2023

International Association of Movers (IAM) 61st Annual Meeting - Oct 7-12, 2023

6ix Stack: IAM microsite 

World Stroke Congress 2023 - Oct 9-14, 2023

6ix Stack: World Stroke Congress microsite #FutureStrokeLeaders #WSC2023 

Pokemon Regional Championships 2023 - Oct 27-29, 2023

New Online Survey: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings across Toronto - City of Toronto

Tourism Day at Queen’s Park - September 25, 2023 (TIAO members only)

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

TIAO Ontario Tourism Summit - October 24-25, 2023, Mississauga

Small Business Forum - October 30, 2023, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

International Symposium on Destination Stewardship - November 6-8, 2023, Gatineau, Quebec

Destination Toronto Business Outlook Forum - November 7, 2023, InterContinental Toronto Centre

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