As a successful tourism year comes to an end, Destination Greater Victoria says their business events team has secured the 28th city-wide conference for the region next year, marking 2025 as one of the best years for city-wide conferences in Victoria. This will help bolster the city's economy, DGV said.
According to a news release, in B.C., meetings and conference delegates spend 40 to 70 per cent more than leisure travellers, and international conference delegates spend up to four times more. According to Meetings Mean Business Canada, business events generate about 40 per cent of tourism spending in Canada.
“This is one part of the downtown economy that is really driving new business and new money into small business. It is performing and delivering,” noted Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria, in the release. “Every conference and meeting we host brings new business, visitors, and much-needed spending into the local economy, which is a welcome boost for local businesses, especially during off-peak times.”
The economic impact of the 28 conferences secured for Greater Victoria in 2025 is estimated to be $35 million and is expected to contribute almost $6.5 million in taxes while supporting around 8,400 jobs.
City-wide conferences are larger meetings, conventions, tradeshows, or special events with more than 400 delegates that require the Victoria Conference Centre and many hotels, restaurants and other venues to host and support them.
“While we are aware that many parts of the downtown economy have not recovered fully from the effects of the pandemic, this is one area of business that is delivering near-record results,” added Nursey. “To keep downtown vital, and support small and medium-sized enterprises, we need more of this type of business. Business events benefit everyone in Greater Victoria by generating valuable tax revenue, which funds the municipal and regional services on which we all rely.”
