Rogers Centre Ottawa builds momentum through surge of first-time conferences and sector spin-offs

New wins across Indigenous, engineering, energy and science events point to growing sector strength and future repeat business

Rogers Centre Ottawa is building on a strong year as a growing number of first-time conferences choose the venue, creating fresh momentum in sectors where the centre already has a foothold and helping open the door to future repeat business.

This year’s conference mix includes a notable number of new-to-centre events, alongside established repeat business that continues to perform strongly. Among the upcoming conferences are the International District Energy Association Conference,  International District Energy, PlantBiology 2026, International Conference on Residency Education and just recently, the Canadian Nuclear Association’s CNA2026 conference, reflecting a healthy blend of new opportunities and repeat relationships.

For Rogers Centre Ottawa, growth is particularly strong in sectors where one successful event has led to others. Indigenous events are a strong example. Following WAVES 2025, the Global Indigenous Languages Summit at the centre last summer, the venue has seen growing interest from organisers looking for a convention centre that can support cultural protocols and create a more thoughtful delegate experience. Rogers Centre Ottawa works with clients on considerations such as smudging, drum circles, Indigenous chefs and culturally relevant menu offerings, helping events feel authentic to the communities they serve.

Engineering and technology conferences are another area where momentum is building. IEEE events have helped demonstrate the strength of Ottawa’s research, innovation and technical talent, while also showing how a more focused account management, with sector specialists, can build confidence and deepen relationships over time. That is helping create new opportunities in sectors where the city already has strong credentials and long-term appeal.

The rise in new business is also contributing to a busier calendar overall, with early summer dates attracting particularly strong demand. Months that were once seen as more negotiable are now drawing significant interest from organisers looking for a capital city destination that offers accessibility, walkability and value, without sacrificing profile or experience.

“Rogers Centre Ottawa is seeing real momentum from conferences that may never have considered Ottawa before, alongside organisers who arrive for one event and leave seeing the city as the right fit for another,” said Carly Grace, Vice-President of Sales at Rogers Centre Ottawa. “When a sector sees that the venue, destination and local expertise all align, that success tends to build on itself. That is exactly what we are seeing now.”

Working closely with Ottawa Tourism, hotel partners and stakeholders across the city, Rogers Centre Ottawa continues to convert that interest into long-term relationships that support both the venue and the wider visitor economy.

As more organisers look beyond the largest gateway cities for availability, value and a more connected delegate experience, Rogers Centre Ottawa is increasingly well positioned to benefit, offering a combination of flexibility, partnership and destination appeal that is helping new sectors grow.

Rogers Centre Ottawa credit Ottawa Tourism