Toronto
#1 Trade Show & Convention
Attendance grew to 1.43 million in 2014, due in part to an increased marketing push into nearby communities of Barrie and Brampton, Ontario. Kinder Surprise and Live Green Toronto came on board as sponsors in 2015. Next: August 2016
Vancouver
#2 Trade Show & Convention
Once again TED sold out the 1,300 tickets for its signature West Coast event, located at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The highlight of 2015 was a talk by infamous former White House intern Monica Lewinsky; the theme for 2016 will be “Dream.” Next: February 15-19, 2016
Toronto
#3 Trade Show & Convention (up from #4)
Urban cowboys still love an old-fashioned horse show. Attendance grew by 6 percent in 2013 and another 3 percent in 2014, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and 5,000 animals. The Food and Lifestyle stage expands in 2015 for competitions, sampling, and more. Next: November 6-15, 2015
Toronto
#4 Trade Show & Convention
The Direct Energy Centre hosted Canada’s largest home and garden event, attracting 175,000 visitors in 2015. Re/Max was a returning sponsor, and Rogers and SigmaDek were new. Smart-home technology is expected have a major presence at the co-located expos in 2016. Next: March 11-20, 2016
Toronto
#5 Trade Show & Convention
Canada’s main auto show featured 30 brands exhibiting throughout 600,000 square feet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2015. Lifestyle and features were heavily promoted in 2015, and high-end dining was introduced. Toronto Star and RBC sponsored. Next: February 12-21, 2016
Calgary
#6 Trade Show & Convention
The show counted an attendance of 48,000 in 2015 with nearly 8,000 exhibitors and 84 counties represented at Stampede Park. The award banquet and outdoor drilling sites were new this year, and stakeholders included the province of Alberta and Pemex. Next: June 7-9, 2016
Toronto
#7 Trade Show & Convention
The world’s leading mining convention drew 23,500 people in 2015, fewer than 2014 due to an industry-wide downturn. New this year: Trade Show North, with exhibit spaces, an eatery, and a beer market. Next: March 6-9, 2016
Regina
#8 Trade Show & Convention
At two million square feet of exhibit space, the three-day event is the biggest trade show in Canada, boasting attendance of nearly 42,000 in 2015. New this year was the Toys for Farm Boys area, which organizers plan to expand in the future. The show was presented by Viterra, the nation’s biggest grain handler. Next: June 15-17, 2016
Vancouver
#9 Trade Show & Convention
Canada’s largest gathering of dental professionals expanded into the Vancouver Convention Centre’s East building in 2015 to focus on dental hygiene programming. More than 12,500 people and 374 exhibitors attended. Next: March 17-19, 2016
