Canada Attracts Global Conferences with a Convention Fund 

Twenty-one international conferences have booked Canada in the past seven months with the help of a new convention fund. An estimated 51,000 international delegates will attend these conferences.

The multimillion-dollar International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), launched in March 2024, has supported 21 successful bids made by Canadian destination marketing organizations (DMOs). In addition, there are 30 event bids awaiting decisions by event owners. 

The ICAF is administered by Destination Canada. Its funded by the government. Bids must fall within Canada’s key economic sectors. They include advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, life sciences, natural resources, digital industries, and finance and insurance. The focus is to attract group business to Canadian destinations where events haven’t recovered to pre-COVID levels.

$1 Million Per Event

The program, set to run for three years, offers financial commitments of up to $1 million per event bid. The Canadian DMO must have an international business events strategy and the infrastructure to host groups. In addition, marketing and dedicated finances must be in place. Plus, the international convention must have an economic benefit to the region. In addition, it must be a citywide. 

Business events are an important part of Canada’s tourism sector. An approximate $47 billion direct economic impact supports more than 240,000 jobs.

Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa, and St. John’s have landed events with the ICAF’s help. In addition, Tourism Winnipeg has just announced it is hosting the 2026 World Indigenous Business Forum.

“When government priorities align with the mission and purpose of targeted international event organizers, it’s a win-win situation. Not only do we anticipate incredible direct economic impact into Canadian destinations across the country but the potential legacies and larger impact will be felt long after these conferences take place,” said Virginie De Visscher, executive director, of business events, Destination Canada.

ICAF Wins

• Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025 (AAIC25) in Toronto. Its anticipated direct economic impact is $18.8 million.

• 2027 World Road Congress in Vancouver. Its anticipated direct economic impact is $10.2 million.

• 2028 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Montreal is anticipated to have a direct economic impact of $6.6 million.

• 2025 International Symposium on Avian Influenza, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Estimated direct economic impact is $524,468.

• Calgary, Alberta will host the 2028 International Geological Congress (IGC). As a result, direct economic impact is planned at $15.4 million.