(Toronto, ON): The latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Rankings Report highlights Toronto’s continued success in the international meetings market outside of the U.S. According to the report, Toronto welcomed the most international meeting attendees in Canada in 2023. In total, 43,096 international meeting attendees visited Toronto in 2023, the highest number since 2018, and an important increase since 2022.
Toronto saw an approximate 58 per cent rise in international meeting delegates in 2023, hosting over 15,000 additional attendees when compared to 2022, furthering the city’s recovery. Toronto also saw an annual increase in the number of international meetings hosted in 2023, from 40 to 45. The city welcomed five international meetings with 2,000+ attendees in 2023, the highest number in Canada.
Securing international conventions that drive economic growth is a collaborative effort. Through prospecting and research, the Leaders Circle plays a key role in securing the support of local experts for international meeting bids, which is required in 70% of cases. This link is key to bringing more international gatherings to the city, alongside Destination Toronto and key hospitality partners in a highly competitive meetings market.
“Since 2015, the Leaders Circle helped secure 57 international meetings for Toronto, which in turn created $390 million in economic impact for the region,” said Ron Pellerine, Interim President and CEO at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “Toronto is home to world-class experts, top academic institutions, fantastic venues, and strong key sectors. It’s the perfect place for collaboration, advancing research, and sharing ideas.”
“Toronto is a desirable city for business events for the same reasons it’s desirable for any kind of traveler, starting with the depth and diversity of the arts, culture, cuisine, and entertainment found all throughout the city,” said Andrew Weir, CEO and President at Destination Toronto. “Beyond those experiences, the collaboration of academics and thought leaders through the Leaders Circle and amongst our governments and hospitality community signals to event organizers that Toronto is invested in their success and a critical partner in achieving their business goals.”
Toronto is well-positioned to host international meetings, including the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition taking place this summer. Beyond 2024, the Leaders Circle helped secure nine meetings in Toronto, including the World Poultry Congress (2026) and the World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health (2025). These meetings booked for future years will bring an estimated 23,700 attendees to the city and generate an estimated economic impact of $87 million for the city and region.
International meetings gather experts from various fields in Toronto, and beyond economic and social legacies, they help our local sectors thrive. Toronto is one of North America’s top centres for life sciences and medical research, a global hub for technology, and has a higher concentration of financial sector employment than New York, or London.
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About the Leaders Circle
The Leaders Circle program partners with top thinkers, innovators, and researchers throughout the Toronto region to bring international meetings to the city. These meetings showcase Toronto as a place of innovation, excellence and opportunity. Supported by the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Destination Toronto, the Leaders Circle ensures Toronto hosts international meetings that provide a transfer of knowledge, build on the city’s global reputation, promote innovation and groundbreaking institutions, and leave a legacy of social and economic benefits to the city and region. For more, please visit www.theleaderscircle.ca.
Media enquiries:
Melanie Wade, Social Media and Communications Specialist
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
E: mwade@mtccc.com