Messages

Beyond setting event and attendance records, 2025-26 reinforced the meaningful role that events play in our city and province. The Halifax Convention Centre continued to serve as a platform for important conversations and memorable experiences. From national and international conferences to regional events and community celebrations, each event supports local business, creates opportunities for connection, and showcases the best of Nova Scotia’s industries, hospitality, creativity and culture.

As we launched Events East’s new Five-Year Strategic Plan, we did so with a clear focus on building from a position of strength and expanding the impact we can have as an event host and industry leader. In 2025-26, our efforts and achievements across service excellence, sustainability, and partnership reflect this commitment to thinking beyond the walls of our venue. The year’s highlights demonstrate the power of live events to stimulate growth and leverage the many strengths of Nova Scotia as a destination.

We are deeply proud of the year we just had and look forward to what lies ahead.

Suzanne Fougere
President & CEO, Events East

The future of Nova Scotia relies on growth. Growth is good for Nova Scotia. More people, more jobs, and more investment create more resources to improve services that people rely on. That's why it's so important to showcase Nova Scotia to the world.

This year, the Halifax Convention Centre exceeded performance targets and welcomed more national and international events than ever to the region – events that featured our strong defence, natural resources, ocean, and life sciences sectors, each with unique opportunities for development. The events, meetings, and conferences hosted by the Halifax Convention Centre also support local businesses, create pathways to economic investment, generate revenue, and strengthen communities across Nova Scotia.

As a result, our international reputation is growing. The Halifax Convention Centre positions Nova Scotia as a leading destination for business and industry – a place to explore all the opportunities it has to offer and build a better future for Nova Scotians.

Colton LeBlanc
Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth & Development, Province of Nova Scotia

When the Halifax Convention Centre opened, it represented a clear statement of ambition for our city: that Halifax could welcome the world, host major conversations, and strengthen our downtown through the power of live events.

This past year continued to prove that vision was right.

The Centre welcomed leaders, delegates, businesses, researchers, visitors, and community organizations from across Nova Scotia, Canada, and beyond. It hosted events that supported tourism, hospitality, innovation, defence, economic development, and public life — including major gatherings such as a discussion with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Canada’s economy and security.

That is the role the Halifax Convention Centre plays at its best. It is not only a meeting space — it’s a platform for Halifax to participate in larger national and international conversations while also creating real economic activity for restaurants, hotels, shops, suppliers, cultural organizations, and workers across the municipality.

As Halifax enters its next phase of growth, this kind of civic infrastructure matters. A city ready to meet the moment needs places where people can gather, exchange ideas, build partnerships, and see Halifax as a serious, capable, and welcoming place to do business.

Thank you to Suzanne Fougere and the Events East team for another year of strong leadership, hospitality, and service to our region and province.

Andy Fillmore
Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality