Why Toronto

A global city for global events

As Canada’s largest city and most visited destination, Toronto is a top choice for international conferences. With exceptional venues, global connectivity, and world-class research across key sectors, the city offers a strong foundation for successful meetings. Through Leaders Circle and its program partners, local leaders have the support they need to bring international conferences to Toronto and create a lasting impact.

Aerial view of downtown Toronto and the CN Tower beside Lake Ontario

The impact

According to ICCA*, Toronto welcomed more international meeting attendees than any other city in North America in 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for international conferences and business events.

40,528

international meeting attendees in 2025

#1

city in North America for delegate draw

68%

year-over-year growth

Strength across every major conference sector

A group of people posing with an award on wide stairs

Toronto’s strength extends across the sectors that host the world’s leading international conferences, giving ambassadors a compelling case for bringing their meetings here.

  • Life Sciences & Medicine: Canada’s largest concentration of hospitals, research institutes, and academic health centres.
  • Technology: A global centre for artificial intelligence and one of North America’s largest technology workforces.
  • Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering: The heart of Canada’s manufacturing economy, supported by world-class engineering research and industry.
  • Business & Finance: Canada’s financial capital, home to Bay Street, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the headquarters of the country’s largest banks.
  • Sciences: Leading universities, research institutes, and internationally recognized expertise across the natural, physical, agricultural, and environmental sciences.
  • Arts, Culture: One of the world’s most diverse cities, supported by internationally recognized cultural institutions, public organizations, and civic leadership.

One reassurance up front: ambassadors are not expected to be event planners. You bring the standing in your field. We bring the bid expertise.

Welcome to Toronto

Skaters at Nathan Phillips Square at night, with the Toronto sign
Flying geese sculptures in the glass-roofed Toronto Eaton Centre
Aerial view of the Toronto skyline and the CN Tower beside the lake
A lit-up street corner in downtown Toronto at night

What hosting here gives you

Getting here

Toronto Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport connect delegates to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with convenient access to downtown. Toronto is a major international gateway, with the connections and capacity a global delegation requires, which matters most when your delegates travel from every part of the world.

Where you meet

Toronto's downtown meeting district is among North America's strongest, with major convention space alongside leading hotels, universities, hospitals, and distinctive venues such as the MaRS Discovery District.

Where delegates stay

With an estimated 11,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of downtown, from boutique properties to international brands, Toronto can accommodate conferences and events of every size.

Who stands behind you

Leaders Circle, Destination Toronto, and a connected network of hospitality, business, academic, and government partners help strengthen every bid.

The delegate experience

A walkable downtown, renowned dining, vibrant neighbourhoods, and one of the world's most multicultural cities create an experience that delegates remember long after the conference ends.

Could Toronto host your next international conference?

If you're involved in an international association or know of a conference that could be hosted in Toronto, let's explore what's possible together.
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