Conferences & Business Events Vancouver 2019

Recognizing the convergence of technology, entertainment, and design was the basis for the now famous TED Conference, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. In 2019 the conference topic was Bigger Than Us, and in 2020 the givers of Ted Talks, TED Fellows Talks, and interviews will explore the theme of Uncharted. The event, with an attendance capped at 1,500, also offers other ways to connect, with dance parties, dinners, and sponsor activations. Next: April 20-24, 2020
See more: TED 2019: See 20 Ideas on Engaging Attendees On and Off the Main Stage

First presented in 2016, the BC Tech Summit is now Western Canada’s largest annual innovation conference, and in 2019 brought together more than 3,500 delegates and 1,200 organizations from 15 countries. The event also attracted some of the world’s biggest brands, including Microsoft, IBM, Fujitsu, and WeWork and featured some of the area's fastest growing companies like Article, General Fusion, and Finn AI. Next: Spring 2020

WE Day Vancouver is part of an international effort to inspire and recognize students who are trying to make the world a better place by their actions. Tickets to the event can't be bought; they are earned through volunteering or fund-raising for social change projects. Speakers at the event, held at Rogers Arena, range from students to world leaders. Next: November 19, 2019

Launched in 1990, Globe Forum is North America’s largest and longest-running leader summit for sustainable business. The event at the Vancouver Convention Centre brings together representatives of business and government to accelerate the shift to a sustainable, clean economy. Next: February 11-13, 2020

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Governors’ Banquet was first hosted on the organization’s 100th anniversary in 1987. About 1,000 people attend the black-tie event to induct the board’s immediate past chair into its Council of Governors and to present the Rix Awards for Engaged Community Citizenship and Engaged Corporate Citizenship in honor of the late Dr. Don Rix. Next: Spring 2020

BCBusiness magazine’s annual Top 100 luncheon—a celebration of British Columbia’s biggest companies—is a decades-old networking event for the city’s business community. About 1,000 people attend the event, first held in 1989, for lunch and programming that includes Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media’s chairman and C.E.O., interviewing a guest; in 2019 it was Boston Pizza International chairman and owner and Dragon's Den member Jim Treliving. Next: June/July 2020

The weekly newspaper Business in Vancouver has been recognizing the achievements of British Columbia’s young entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals since 1989. The event has grown steadily over the years with about 650 people at the 2019 gala dinner. Next: January 2020

The Georgie Awards, presented by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia, are in their 28th year. The black-tie gala drew more than 600 people in 2019, with local television personality Todd Talbott serving as emcee. The gala moves to the Westin Bayshore in 2020. The association recognizes excellence through the award program, adjusting its criteria and categories to reflect the changes in the industry. Last year 46 awards were made to companies and individuals in the sector. Next: March 2020

The Surrey Board of Trade started the Business Excellence Awards 20 years ago to celebrate local businesses. The 2018 edition drew about 400 people. Next: November 13, 2019

Now in its ninth year, the Zero Waste Conference highlights circular economy success stories, waste prevention innovations, and local and global perspectives as the shift to waste prevention and a circular economy gains traction. The theme for this year’s event at Vancouver Convention Centre East is: "A Future without waste: mobilizing for success in the circular economy." In 2020, Canada will host the World Circular Economy Forum. Next: October 30-31, 2019

The Burnaby Business Awards, now in its 20th year, is an initiative of the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby. Awards are made in nine categories that honor businesses for their contributions to the city’s economy and the community. About 400 people attend the event at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby, one of the highlights on the city’s business calendar. At the 2018 event, emceed by TV personality Coleen Christie, Hemlock Printers was named Business of the Year. Next: November 7, 2019