Our Centre was host to some of the most important conversations happening in Canada today. As a hub for important dialogues across a diverse range of events, we are proud to be the site of these crucial conversations. Our team looks forward to hosting more meaningful events in the coming year.
Sparking Inclusive National Dialogue
The National Black Canadians Summit, powered by the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, aligned with the International Decade (2015-2024) for People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, Development. It was a major mobilization event, which brought together more than 1,200 attendees from all walks of life to share experiences, raise awareness, and spark an inclusive national dialogue. Nova Scotia is home to the oldest Black settlements in Canada, making our centre an historical setting for the third Summit, with opportunities to learn first-hand about African Nova Scotian history. It was important to ensure that the African Nova Scotian community history was shared, but it was also critical that conversations, which began at the first Summit in 2017, brought awareness and solutions to new challenges that Canadians of African descent face today.
“The importance of this movement, this gathering convened by Black communities nationwide cannot be understated. Pain and joy will coexist in every word, every idea, every testimony, everything will be said from the heart, as we address some of the most serious problems and issues we face in our country, as we also highlight the value of our actions, our accomplishments, our strengths, our perseverance, and courage.”
- The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Decision-Making That Impacts Canada
For its first in-person event in two years, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Annual Meeting focused on learning, networking, and contributing to the direction of our nation’s co-operative housing movement. More than 550 co-op members and supporters met in Halifax to learn, network, and make important decisions for the co-op housing movement. During the week, participants took part in over 50 workshops at the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference.
Showcasing Our Life Sciences Community
Halifax has a growing health and life sciences industry with major research centres, leading hospitals, and a vibrant post-secondary community. As a key sector in our province, we were proud to host 10 important medical events.
- In June, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting & Exhibition brought together 800 ophthalmologists and eye care professionals across the spectrum of vision health, from research to patient care.
- CanSAGE 2022 brought over 250 residents, fellows, and gynecologists to our centre in September for sessions, panel discussions, and presentations by leading figures in the field.
Our Centre also hosted two leading international medical events: the 27th International Congress of the World Muscle Society, which saw 1,000 delegates gathered to promote, disseminate, and share all aspects of neuromuscular physiology and diseases; and, the International Symposium for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics at which 600 participants gathered to learn and share a vision of building a better life tomorrow for veterinary epidemiology at the local, regional, and international levels.
With a robust and growing health and life sciences sector, Halifax is an exciting and dynamic destination for these events, with a network of researchers, health professionals, and industry organizations.
Nova Scotia's Thriving Blue Economy
Halifax is Canada’s ocean city, offering ocean innovators and companies from around the world access to Canada’s largest centre for ocean research, with 600 scientists, engineers, and technicians. This makes it an ideal location for ocean-related businesses looking to tap into the vast potential of the blue economy. In 2022, our Centre hosted two major events focusing on the oceans sector:
- World Oceans Tech & Innovation Summit – This event showcased local innovations that have the potential to be scaled globally. We welcomed international business leaders, investors, scientists, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to share learnings and new opportunities for partnership and investment in ocean technology. To help meet the growing global demand for more energy, greater efficiency, resilient supply chains, and other expanded commercial opportunities, the future of the blue economy is crucial.
- H2O Tradeshow & Conference – Presented by the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), H2O: Home to Overseas Conference was the single biggest concentration of ocean tech companies in Canada in one place at one time.
Supporting Sustainable Corporate Meetings
The largest corporate event the Halifax Convention Centre has ever hosted, the Deloitte Partner Meeting filled our Centre with over 1,400 guests; 1,200 of those guests travelled from across Canada; 100 guests visited from Chile; and 25 guests came from other international locales. With events held across Halifax including at Scotiabank Centre, the Halifax National Historic Site, and the Alexander Keith’s Brewery Market, the Deloitte Partner Meeting made a lasting impact on our province. The “Party in a Moonlit Park” evening at Scotiabank Centre won Best Event Décor of 2022 at the 10th Annual Biz Bash Event Experience Awards
Hosting a sustainable event was of the utmost importance to the event organizers, who made sure that each stage of the event had a positive impact on our environment and province.
“The Halifax Convention Centre helped us achieve our most sustainable Partner Meeting to date. When planning Partner Meeting 2022, it was imperative that the main venue align with our sustainability goals to ensure we were eliminating waste, reducing our impact on the environment, and repurposing waste wherever possible. We were proud to partner with the Halifax Convention Centre to help us realize this vision, and we were grateful for their guidance and support every step of the way.”
- Anthony Viel, Executive Officer, Deloitte Canada and Chile
Bringing International Events to Halifax
Our first international event since 2020, the IECEE Certification Management Committee Meeting brought together delegates from 26 countries. IECEE addresses the safety, quality, efficiency, and overall performance of components, devices, and equipment for homes, offices, workshops, and health facilities.
“Thank you very much for your assistance in organizing our meeting and your support throughout. You and your staff have been great, and so are the Halifax Convention Centre facilities. We will recommend them to others. I know that my own organization is looking at opportunities to be able to come back and use the convention centre in the future. Halifax is a beautiful city and our delegates from all around the world that attended agreed.”
- Joe Gryn, CNC/IECEE Chair
