Since the Ottawa Convention Centre opened its doors April 13, 2011, the new facility has hosted 562 events including 40 national and international conventions. Some of the more noteable events included 2 national political conventions, Northern Lights 2012 and of course the NHL All-Star Weekend. OCC has also welcomed back many popular events, such as the Ottawa Wine and Food Festival and the Ottawa Gatineau International Auto Show.
The 40 conventions held at OCC over the past year attracted close to 35,000 out-of-town delegates and exhibitors to Ottawa. These visitors experienced a unique cultural and historical experience that no other Canadian city can offer. The total economic impact generated by these conventions was over $83 million.
Being a G8 capital, Ottawa needed a new convention centre that could accommodate large scale events. The Ottawa Convention Centre is a ‘stay-at-home export’ as it attracts business to our nation’s capital that would otherwise go elsewhere. The aggressive marketing outreach in the global marketplace that has taken place over the past few years in partnership with local hotels and Ottawa Tourism is beginning to pay off. This is evidenced by the 1,171 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) that are supported solely by the convention business accommodated by OCC over the past year and the $83 million estimated in economic impact to the city of Ottawa.
THE YEAR 2011 IN REVIEW
During the 2011 fiscal year, Ottawa Convention Centre held 40 events that drew at least 25% non-local attendance. These events attracted approximately 33,850 delegates/attendees from outside of Ottawa, and over 1000 non-local exhibitors (represented by over 4000 staff members). The total direct spending by these non-local visitors is estimated at approximately $78 million ($65 million in delegate/attendee spending and $13 million in exhibitor spending). When the production costs of the convention centre are included, the direct spending on convention centre events that draw out-of-town delegates and exhibitors is estimated at just over $83 million. The $83 million in direct spending contributes approximately $67 million to Ottawa’s GDP. Specifically, this includes $45 million in GDP that comes directly from companies providing goods and services, $11 million that is generated indirectly from related supplier industries and $11 million that is induced from employees spending their earnings. Approximately 1,171 jobs are supported, resulting in $43.5 million in labour income. This includes
$30 million in labour income that stems from 907 jobs that are supported directly.
Both out-of-town and local event guests use Ottawa's taxi, limousine, car rental and shuttle services. With its expanded operations, the Centre will continue to support the local transportation industry by:
Major industries affected;
More information available in our Annual Report
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