Canada's capital continues to attract major international conferences

36 minutes ago
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Destination Canada's International Convention Attraction Fund supports high-value association win for Ottawa.

Ottawa Tourism has announced that Canada's capital has been selected to host the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) 2029 Annual Conference, further strengthening the city's position as a leading destination for international association meetings with meaningful economic, professional and community impact.

Taking place from 20-23 May 2029, the conference is expected to welcome 1,000 delegates to Ottawa, generate 2,991 total room nights, and deliver an estimated CAD $2.8m in economic impact for the city.

The successful bid was supported by Destination Canada's International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a national programme designed to help Canadian destinations compete for and secure high-value international conferences. For Ottawa, the IIMC win represents not only a major piece of future business, but also a powerful example of how national support, local collaboration and destination alignment can come together to attract events that matter.

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks is a global professional association dedicated to supporting municipal clerks through education, professional development, networking and the exchange of best practice. Its annual conference brings together municipal professionals whose work is central to the effective operation of local government and civic administration.

The win highlights the importance of ICAF in supporting Canadian destinations to compete internationally. By adding a national layer of strategic support to the bid process, ICAF strengthens the destination offer and helps ensure that Canada remains highly competitive in attracting conferences that deliver economic impact, sector alignment and long-term value.

Chris Shalby, Executive Director, International Institute of Municipal Clerks said: “Ottawa provides a unique stage for IIMC’s annual conference, its status as Canada’s capital delivers both professional relevance and global profile for municipal clerks. From accessibility and hospitality to civic leadership and policy expertise, Ottawa offers compelling value for delegates. The city’s beauty, commitment to being more sustainable, and amenable conference costs, supported by Destination Canada and the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), made Ottawa an outstanding choice for IIMC 2029. The collaborative approach from Ottawa Tourism, Destination Canada, and local partners reinforced our confidence that every detail will be designed for our delegates’ needs. Hosting IIMC in Ottawa will foster connections between our attendees and Ottawa’s municipal, federal, and community context, driving professional development and lasting impact."

Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director, Business Events, Destination Canada added: “Congratulations to Ottawa Tourism on securing the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) 2029 Annual Conference, and to IIMC for choosing Canada. This win reflects the strength of Ottawa’s collaborative approach, its compelling value proposition for business events, and Canada’s global reputation for delivering sustainable, high-impact meetings. Through the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), Destination Canada is proud to help destinations like Ottawa compete for prestigious international organizations whose events drive economic growth, knowledge exchange, and long-term sector development. With a renewed $15 million investment over three years, ICAF continues to be a catalyst in elevating Canada’s competitiveness on the global stage, helping convert strong bids into successful outcomes that create lasting benefits for communities across the country.”

Supporting the win, The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) said: “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Ottawa Tourism and the City of Ottawa on the winning bid. This achievement reflects Canada's growing reputation as a premier destination for international business events and highlights the strength of collaboration between local tourism partners and the Government of Canada. Through the International Convention Attraction Fund, administered by Destination Canada, we're helping Canadian destinations compete for high-value international conferences that create jobs, support local businesses and deliver lasting economic benefits. We look forward to welcoming IIMC delegates to Ottawa in 2029 and showcasing Canada's leadership as a world-class destination for meetings and events.”

IIMC 2029 follows a growing number of ICAF-supported successes for Ottawa, including the recent International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference & Trade Show, which took place at Rogers Centre Ottawa in June 2026. That event brought an estimated 750 delegates to the city, generated 1,825 total room nights, and delivered an estimated CAD $2.9m in economic impact.

The IDEA event also demonstrated Ottawa's ability to attract conferences connected to areas of genuine local and national strength. With district energy, clean technology, public infrastructure and sustainability all closely aligned with Ottawa's public, private and academic sectors, the conference provided a platform for international knowledge exchange while showcasing work already underway in Canada's capital.