Breaking News

GBTA Revises Dates for ‘Back to Business’ Travel Event
2021/05/03

The world’s largest business travel association has pushed back its annual convention to late fall. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) decided to change the dates to Nov. 17-19, after taking into consideration feedback from members, exhibitors and sponsors, and in recognition of the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global travel sector. It will still take place in Orlando, Fla. “This shift allows us to better accommodate all our members, especially those travelling from outside the U.S.,…
UFI Launches New Certification Program for Trade Show Professionals
2021/05/03

The Global Association of the Exhibitions Industry, UFI, has launched a new accredited designation for trade show professionals. The UFI Certified Professional (UCP) is a self-paced, fully customizable program offered to both members and non-members. It includes existing UFI programs as well as modules offered by a network of global educational partners. Additional benefits beyond the classroom include networking, specialization and career development. “Our members have been requesting a UFI endorsement of our education, so they can signal to employers…
Whistler Resort Revamps Meetings, Events Offerings
2021/04/20

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has reinvented its meetings and events services. The luxury hotel is offering enhanced hybrid meeting solutions and the option to run meetings concurrently at the same venue. The in-person audience can participate with any number of virtual attendees, thanks to state-of-the art technology and health and safety measures. “Our mission is to create a bespoke experience for all participants, whether attending an event physically or virtually,” says general manager, Ali Mohammed. Attendees can experience…
PMIC Partners with MediaEdge on New Building Operator Designation Program
2021/04/20

The Property Management Institute of Canada (PMIC) and MediaEdge Communications are partnering to develop a series of certificates that will lead to a new Canadian building operator designation. Real estate industry professionals across Canada helped to shape the program and will continue doing so based on concerns about existing skills gaps, industry shortages of skilled building operators, and the need to create a career path to support both the advancement and recognition of building operation as an occupation. “We are…
New Virtual Tool Helps with Event Planning in Ottawa
2021/04/20

Ottawa Tourism has launched an interactive tool, Virtually Ottawa, with the goal of inspiring conference planners from around the world to consider Canada’s capital for future events. “Ottawa Tourism’s business events team is proud to launch this tool, which allows them to show-off Ottawa’s assets in a safe and secure, accessible way to meeting planners both near and far,” says Ottawa Tourism president and CEO, Michael Crockatt. “Given that many meetings are booked years in advance, this allows our staff…
EY Centre Names New Show Services Provider
2021/04/20

Eastern Ontario’s largest exhibition centre has a new show services provider. EY Centre announced its official partnership with Stronco on April 15. “It was paramount for us to choose an experienced partner who has a depth of experience and reputation for service excellence to seamlessly support our customers through post-pandemic recovery,” says EY Centre general manager, Neill Bales. “Stronco’s solid roots in the industry, especially in the Ontario market, made (it) the ideal partner of choice for our facility. The…
Earth Day Event Spotlights the Most Sustainable Canadian Destinations
2021/04/20

The Sustainable Events Forum will host a virtual celebration of Canadian event destinations to mark Earth Day on April 22. Earth Day for Event People will shine a light on 10 of the most sustainable locations, as voted by attendees: St. John’s, Nfld., Halifax, Charlottetown, Montreal, Quebec City, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Banff, Alta., Vancouver, Victoria and Whitehorse. Event professionals who host events in these destinations will make the case for their chosen nominee. Attendees will then have the opportunity to choose…
IAEE Adds Digital Events Management to Education Curriculum
2021/04/20

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has expanded its Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) learning program to include digital events management. Research has shown that as the industry recovers, the demand for hybrid and digital events will continue. This prompted the CEM commission to approve the curriculum addition. “Although the industry handled the crisis as gracefully as possible last year, it was still forced to move quickly. We learned a lot from that experience and the result is…
Canadian City to Host Global Convention for Young Leaders
2021/04/06

Montreal has been named the host city for the 2024 One Young World Summit. The announcement, made March 31, bodes well for the future of the city’s convention industry. The event is expected to generate an estimated $4.4 million in tourism revenues along with 7,000 hotel room nights. “The One Young World Summit coming to the Palais is evidence that despite the impacts of the pandemic, Montreal remains a highly attractive host city for major events,” says Luc Charbonneau, director of…
WestJet to Expand Service in Anticipation of Summer Demand for Travel
2021/04/06

WestJet is expanding its service in Western Canada. The Calgary-based airline will add 11 non-stop routes this summer. “As we look to the coming months with cautious optimism, we know our restart agenda will be pivotal to Canada’s economic recovery,” says WestJet president and CEO, Ed Sims. “Stimulating air travel benefits all Canadians and supports those hardest hit; with one in every 10 Canadian jobs tied to travel and tourism, the ripple effect benefits our whole country.” The flights will be offered up to three times a week in…