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Venues & Destinations
New Venues, Inclusive Culinary Experiences, and Measurable Community Impact Position Toronto as a Future-Forward Choice for U.S. Meetings & Events
11/11/2025
TORONTO, ON — Destination Toronto underscored the city’s momentum at IMEX America 2025, debuting its first stand-alone booth and signaling a clear message to U.S. planners: Toronto is purpose-built for today’s meetings and incentives. As organizers look for destinations that bring together experience design, operational flexibility, and authentic community connection, Toronto delivers a turnkey platform that aligns with the top trends shaping 2025–2026.
“Toronto’s venues are redefining what’s possible for modern meetings and events. From Queen’s Harbour’s retractable rooftop to the immersive FUTURE & Infinity Room Complex and the new RIU Plaza Toronto, these spaces bring flexibility, scale, and design innovation together in a way that reflects how the industry is evolving—and how Toronto continues to lead it,” said Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto.
Culinary that Drives Inclusion and Engagement
Toronto’s food culture is a practical tool for designing inclusive, high-engagement programs. At IMEX, Destination Toronto showcased that approach with the crowd-drawing “Bubbles & Buttertarts” hospitality feature and an immersive Mirror Dome activation, direct expressions of the kind of sensory and narrative-rich touchpoints that planners seek, while Board Chair and culinary event producer Chef Trevor Lui spotlighted how menus, makers, and neighborhood narratives translate into measurable DEI outcomes. The takeaway for planners: in Toronto, culinary isn’t an add-on, it’s a strategy.
“Toronto serves as the perfect destination to utilize its rich communities to carve out unique experiences and storytelling through the locality of tremendous spaces and world-class dining experiences,” said Trevor Lui, Board Chair of Destination Toronto.
Next-Gen Venues That Fit Modern Formats
A slate of new and refreshed spaces gives organizers the scale and flexibility they need downtown and along the waterfront. The new 352-room RIU Plaza Toronto brings the first Canadian property from the global brand to Toronto’s Entertainment District. The Playbook Commons located within Hotel X Toronto pairs private dining with digital art and group-friendly layouts. Queen’s Harbour introduces 23,000 square feet of event space, including Canada’s largest retractable rooftop, with skyline and lake views. The FUTURE & Infinity Room Complex offers 10,000 square feet across two levels with built-in staging, pro lighting, and an immersive Mirror Room for brand moments. Together, these venues make it simple to stage everything from high-impact incentive dinners to 1,000-attendee experiences with shorter build times and stronger production values.
Sustainability With Proof, Not Promises
Planners increasingly expect destinations to back up ESG commitments with data. Toronto’s convention ecosystem does exactly that. At IMEX America, Destination Toronto made a powerful statement by donating over 30 pieces of booth furniture to Zion Safe Haven for Children, giving tangible proof of the city’s values in action. Furthermore, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) reports that in 2025 it has donated more than 21,700 meals to local charities and schools, and more than 640 kg of furniture, clothing and toys distributed to over a dozen nonprofits. For brands, that means impact statements with real numbers attached.
Built-In Connectivity for U.S. Markets
With frequent direct flights from major U.S. hubs, a walkable downtown core, and a hospitality community practiced in cross-border programs, Toronto offers frictionless access for American associations and corporations, and a locale that boosts attendance with its “big city, local story” appeal.
For more information on Toronto, visit DestinationToronto.com/meetings.
About Destination Toronto
Toronto’s visitor economy is a vital economic engine for the city, generating nearly $9 billion in visitor spending in 2024. Destination Toronto’s purpose is to ignite the city’s visitor economy to enrich and empower its communities. Operating in partnership with the City of Toronto and the tourism and hospitality community, Destination Toronto promotes the city to attract visitors and major meetings and events, and supports local businesses in maximizing the opportunities of the visitor economy. For more information, please visit DestinationToronto.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
TORONTO, ON — Destination Toronto underscored the city’s momentum at IMEX America 2025, debuting its first stand-alone booth and signaling a clear message to U.S. planners: Toronto is purpose-built for today’s meetings and incentives. As organizers look for destinations that bring together experience design, operational flexibility, and authentic community connection, Toronto delivers a turnkey platform that aligns with the top trends shaping 2025–2026.
“Toronto’s venues are redefining what’s possible for modern meetings and events. From Queen’s Harbour’s retractable rooftop to the immersive FUTURE & Infinity Room Complex and the new RIU Plaza Toronto, these spaces bring flexibility, scale, and design innovation together in a way that reflects how the industry is evolving—and how Toronto continues to lead it,” said Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto.
Culinary that Drives Inclusion and Engagement
Toronto’s food culture is a practical tool for designing inclusive, high-engagement programs. At IMEX, Destination Toronto showcased that approach with the crowd-drawing “Bubbles & Buttertarts” hospitality feature and an immersive Mirror Dome activation, direct expressions of the kind of sensory and narrative-rich touchpoints that planners seek, while Board Chair and culinary event producer Chef Trevor Lui spotlighted how menus, makers, and neighborhood narratives translate into measurable DEI outcomes. The takeaway for planners: in Toronto, culinary isn’t an add-on, it’s a strategy.
“Toronto serves as the perfect destination to utilize its rich communities to carve out unique experiences and storytelling through the locality of tremendous spaces and world-class dining experiences,” said Trevor Lui, Board Chair of Destination Toronto.
Next-Gen Venues That Fit Modern Formats
A slate of new and refreshed spaces gives organizers the scale and flexibility they need downtown and along the waterfront. The new 352-room RIU Plaza Toronto brings the first Canadian property from the global brand to Toronto’s Entertainment District. The Playbook Commons located within Hotel X Toronto pairs private dining with digital art and group-friendly layouts. Queen’s Harbour introduces 23,000 square feet of event space, including Canada’s largest retractable rooftop, with skyline and lake views. The FUTURE & Infinity Room Complex offers 10,000 square feet across two levels with built-in staging, pro lighting, and an immersive Mirror Room for brand moments. Together, these venues make it simple to stage everything from high-impact incentive dinners to 1,000-attendee experiences with shorter build times and stronger production values.
Sustainability With Proof, Not Promises
Planners increasingly expect destinations to back up ESG commitments with data. Toronto’s convention ecosystem does exactly that. At IMEX America, Destination Toronto made a powerful statement by donating over 30 pieces of booth furniture to Zion Safe Haven for Children, giving tangible proof of the city’s values in action. Furthermore, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) reports that in 2025 it has donated more than 21,700 meals to local charities and schools, and more than 640 kg of furniture, clothing and toys distributed to over a dozen nonprofits. For brands, that means impact statements with real numbers attached.
Built-In Connectivity for U.S. Markets
With frequent direct flights from major U.S. hubs, a walkable downtown core, and a hospitality community practiced in cross-border programs, Toronto offers frictionless access for American associations and corporations, and a locale that boosts attendance with its “big city, local story” appeal.
For more information on Toronto, visit DestinationToronto.com/meetings.
About Destination Toronto
Toronto’s visitor economy is a vital economic engine for the city, generating nearly $9 billion in visitor spending in 2024. Destination Toronto’s purpose is to ignite the city’s visitor economy to enrich and empower its communities. Operating in partnership with the City of Toronto and the tourism and hospitality community, Destination Toronto promotes the city to attract visitors and major meetings and events, and supports local businesses in maximizing the opportunities of the visitor economy. For more information, please visit DestinationToronto.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
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