TORONTO, Canada — The largest city in Canada and the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a major cultural and economic hub on the banks of Lake Ontario.
Trade Show Executive (TSE) spoke with key figures across the city to learn about some of its cutting-edge facilities and exciting cultural experiences.
Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place (ExPlace), a complex with numerous event and entertainment venues, hosts an average of 1,761 events that attract 5.5 million visitors every year, according to its team. ExPlace is located on the Toronto waterfront, offers more than 5,400 venue-controlled parking spaces and is near various public transit options.
The complex includes the LEED-Gold certified Enercare Centre, which has over one million square feet of flexible convention space in eight connected exhibit halls.
“From hosting the Honda Indy to Collision and the Shopify Summit, this venue has been the backdrop for some of the world’s biggest global events,” Laura Purdy, General Manager of ExPlace, said. “Enercare Centre is part of the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Our Green Smart initiatives allow clients to host eco-friendly meetings and events, benefiting from reduced energy costs, lower carbon footprints and a commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Additionally, Purdy shared that ExPlace is the only North American facility to offer 10G of complimentary WIFI+WIFI 6 in all of its venues.
“ExPlace’s people are at the heart of our reputation as Canada’s premier event destination,” Purdy said. “We facilitate event success through our dedicated and experienced team, which works closely with event organizers to ensure smooth and seamless execution. Our staff is comprised of educated, qualified industry leaders holding CEM and CMP designations, and Venue Management School graduates, which allows us to better understand the needs of our clients.”
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Metro Toronto Convention Centre
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) has over 700,000 square feet of flexible and contemporary exhibit space, and a customer satisfaction rating of 93%, according to its leadership.
“We help planners host successful events and trade shows that also make a positive impact,” Ron Pellerine, Chief Operating Officer at the MTCC, said. “We’re proud to host some of the biggest and most prestigious events in the world, many of which return year after year.”
The MTCC’s food is made in-house and menus are customizable for any event, allowing organizers to select food options that are geared towards their participants. For example, the event PRI in Person, a conference for responsible investment, opted for vegetarian and vegan dishes last year. The venue also has a pastry kitchen and a rooftop garden, and cures its own meat.
Sustainability is a major priority for the MTCC. It recently upgraded its exhibit hall lights to new, high-quality LED options and expects a 50% decrease in lighting energy use, and a reduction in its carbon footprint by approximately 944,000 kWh per year. The MTCC also offers a Planning with Purpose Guide to help organizers make use of their tools, such as low-footprint menus, Voyage Control, the venue’s app and its food donation program.
The MTCC is also positioned for accessibility — it is directly connected via an indoor tunnel system to two hotels, Union Station and UP Express, a 25-minute air rail link to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
“Attendees flying in can step off their airplane and come directly to the MTCC without ever stepping outside,” Pellerine said — though most likely will be unable to resist the city’s rich cultural opportunities.
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Offsite Experiences and More
“The delegate experience is so important in our industry, especially as many people are navigating the hybrid work lifestyle and may choose to add a leisure element to their next business trip,” Tara Gordon, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Service at Destination Toronto, said.
Gordon supplied the following offsite experience ideas.
- Take a water taxi to the Toronto Islands — the waterfront is just a seven-minute walk from the MTCC.
- Explore Stackt Market, the largest shipping container marketplace in North America, which offers dining, entertainment and a rotating list of local businesses
- Enjoy a curated art and architecture walking tour and discover nearly three centuries of Toronto history.
Many Toronto landmarks also double as event spaces.
The CN Tower, a skyscraper and the largest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, features a 360 Restaurant that includes the world’s highest wine cellar and can accommodate 400 seated guests, an Observation Level 114 stories high that can fit 700 guests, a 140-seat cinema and three meeting rooms, each with a capacity of 90.
Additionally, Casa Loma, a castle that was built in 1914 and is now owned by the City of Toronto, has five acres of gardens, a Great Hall, Conservatory, Library and Glass Pavilion. It hosts more than 250 private events every year.
“Team Toronto is ready for you,” Gordon said. “Despite being one of the largest cities in North America, our Destination Services team can connect you to a close-knit community of experts in any area of your planning. Toronto is both the economic and cultural heartbeat of Canada, giving the city a distinct advantage for hosting business events.”
Learn more about Toronto here.
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