Of all the many qualities making Toronto an ideal place for your next meeting, the diversity of Canada’s largest and most-visited city is near the top of the list.
Within its unique blend of cultures are 240 ethnicities speaking 180 languages and dialects, creating a vibrant mosaic that adds much to the city’s character, energy and spirit—a welcome extending to groups looking for a place that is open to new ideas and insights, where the innovation and creativity necessary for important breakthroughs are encouraged.
In fact, Toronto’s unique multicultural vitality is at the heart of its success, creating an inclusive and collaborative ambiance that attracts both corporations and business travelers, many of whom feel instantly at home in this cosmopolitan world capital.
Diversity also is the cornerstone of what makes Toronto the business powerhouse it is today, with key sectors including life sciences, technology and financial services as well as e-sports among the many emerging industries. The city ranked first in North America for both high-tech job creation and population, not to mention first in the world for working women. It also hosts one of the globe’s largest Pride festivals, with an estimated 3 million people attending the 2023 Pride Toronto Weekend in June.
You might think a city of this size and forward momentum would have the urban anonymity of some other metropolitan areas but no. Toronto is a remarkably friendly city, and was named the globe’s second safest city, sixth-best for remote workers, and ranks among the top in international smart-city rankings.
Indeed, Toronto offers the wealth of resources and local expertise your event needs: A compact downtown core, accessible public transit, state-of-the-art meeting facilities—including the 442,000-sf Metro Toronto Convention Centre—and, it almost goes without saying, one of the most diverse dining scenes in the world, earning distinction as the first destination in Canada to be MICHELIN-recognized.
But despite its many big-city advantages, Toronto is deeply committed to maintaining its natural beauty, implementing viable and long-standing sustainability initiatives.
Exhibition Place, for one, is a leading green venue and has been ranked in numerous awards and accolades for its sustainability efforts. The entire facility has signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, a global push to address climate change across the events and meetings industry. In addition to the facility’s GREENSmart Initiative—which started in 2004 and focuses on implementing sustainable development practices across the site—its Enercare Centre and Beanfield Centre venues have earned LEED Platinum and Silver certification, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre implements energy-conserving cooling systems, a waste redirection process, textile recycling, local food procurement and even a rooftop apiary and chef’s garden. In addition, local convention hotels have instituted food waste programs that have reduced overproduction while enhancing menu variety.
With Destination Toronto, planners enjoy the seamless experience of leveraging the many advantages of the city for their groups’ enjoyment, ensuring an event that exceeds all expectations. The Toronto Team are the experts in hosting domestic and international events, offering connected communities, an authentic service culture and a progressive outlook that drives meaningful conversations, fresh thinking and new horizons.
For more information, visit destinationtoronto.com.
