The Metro Toronto Convention Centre announced yesterday that it gave Toronto’s economy a boost by generating a record-breaking $594 million in direct spending economic impact during its 2017/18 fiscal year. This is the biggest contribution to Toronto in the facility’s history. Direct spending economic impact is created when conference, trade and public show attendees spend on dining, hotel nights, shopping, transportation and more in Toronto. Based on the Ontario Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model, the MTCC also sustained a record-breaking 7,622 jobs in the community and generated $155…
Meeting Community
Egencia Travel Policy Insights take flight: traveller choice dominates corporate bookings
Press Release Egencia, a leading global travel management company, yesterday released its Egencia Travel Policy Insights: Global Air Edition to highlight findings on air policy trends among its global travellers*. The findings show that companies’ concern for improved traveller satisfaction, productivity and talent retention can lead to trends in how policies are defined around the world. Business travel makes up an important component of the $1.6 trillion travel market, and many business trips are not guided by company travel policies.…
Air Canada launches into Summer 2018 with new non-stop routes
Press Release Air Canada today inaugurates non-stop service between Toronto and Omaha, the first of 25 new year-round and seasonal routes the carrier is launching this summer. The new non-stop routes are consistent with company growth plans and will extend Air Canada’s network with new destinations and city pairings in Canada, the U.S. and internationally to give customers greater choice and convenience when they travel. “Air Canada is well established as a leading global carrier now serving 222 destinations on…
MPI’s spring 2018 edition of Meetings Outlook report now available
Meeting Professionals International has published the 2018 spring edition of Meetings Outlook. According to the report, a healthy, stable business landscape sees industry professionals focusing on cultivating the entire meeting experience, with an emphasis on enhancing interaction and immersion. Key findings include the following: 46.2 per cent of respondents expect their business to be affected by the recent cuts to third-party planner commissions by several hotel companies, suggesting concern from numerous parts of the industry, not just third-party planners. 75…
Air Transat unveils its 2018-2019 winter line-up
Carrier bolsters domestic and connecting flights programs to offer Canadian travellers a wider choice of destinations Air Transat today unveiled its flight program for winter 2018-2019, offering travellers a choice of 34 sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America as well as Florida, along with an even more diversified selection of European cities, which are increasingly appreciated by Canadians during the winter season. Air Transat, the leading leisure carrier in Canada, is also pleased to announce the return…
Air Canada to open Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport this fall
Press Release Air Canada today announced it will open a Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport this fall. It will be the airline’s 17th Maple Leaf Lounge in Canada, and construction is currently underway. “We look forward to opening our newest Maple Leaf Lounge in Saskatoon later this year, which will offer our eligible customers an elevated airport experience and a quiet place to relax or work before their flight,” said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada’s President, Passenger…
How nature can boost your attendees’ experience
It’s official – spring is here! With the warmer weather approaching, I am dreaming about those long walks in the park, fresh air and sunlight, and I am completely overcome with positive emotions. It’s little wonder why I am crushing hard for nature. Its health benefits are as old as time and with wellness being the most talked-about trend in the meeting industry, I wanted to explore how integrating nature into meetings and events can boost the overall attendee experience.…
Edmonton selected to host GO WEST 2019
Highly successful gathering of event professionals will stay in Edmonton for its second year. GO WEST will return to Edmonton in 2019. Timewise Event Management has announced the city and date for the second year of its much anticipated event designed for event professionals. They are thrilled to announce GO WEST 2019 will be held in Edmonton, Alberta on January 21-22, 2019. “We received strong interest from several cities across Western Canada to host 2019,” says Arlene Schilke, Executive Producer…
Ramadan is coming – Are you prepared?
Experienced meeting professionals know to check the calendar very carefully when choosing event dates. Statutory and religious holidays are simple – we need to just avoid them altogether! Examples of some dates that are completely off limits: Christmas, Easter, Yom Kippur and Passover. One of the religious holidays that causes some confusion among event planners is Ramadan. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide, it falls in May/June and it lasts for about a month. The timing is different every year.…
Tax deadline day: Hotels call on federal government to ensure Airbnb pays fair share
On tax deadline day, the Hotel Association of Canada is calling on the federal government to take real action to address tax avoidance in the digital space. Despite the rapid growth of out of country digital platforms like Airbnb, the government has not taken steps to collect the taxes they should. “As Canadians across the country file their returns on tax day, it is important that we look at who isn’t paying taxes,” said Susie Grynol, President of the Hotel Association of Canada. “Online…
