Ottawa Wins IIMC 2029 as Canada Strengthens its International Conference Appeal

Ottawa has secured the 2029 Annual Conference of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), adding another major international association meeting to Canada’s capital and highlighting the role of national funding in helping Canadian destinations compete for global business events.

Taking place from 20–23 May 2029, the conference is expected to bring around 1,000 delegates to Ottawa, generate 2,991 room nights and deliver an estimated CAD $2.8 million in economic impact.

The successful bid was supported by Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a national programme designed to help Canadian destinations secure high-value international conferences.

For Ottawa, the IIMC win also illustrates how destination-level expertise can be strengthened by national support. The International Institute of Municipal Clerks is a global professional association representing municipal clerks through education, professional development, networking and the exchange of best practice. Its annual conference brings together professionals whose work sits at the heart of local government and civic administration.

Chris Shalby, Executive Director of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, said: “Ottawa provides a unique stage for IIMC’s annual conference, its status as Canada’s capital delivers both professional relevance and global profile for municipal clerks. From accessibility and hospitality to civic leadership and policy expertise, Ottawa offers compelling value for delegates. The city’s beauty, commitment to being more sustainable, and amenable conference costs, supported by Destination Canada and the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), made Ottawa an outstanding choice for IIMC 2029.

The collaborative approach from Ottawa Tourism, Destination Canada, and local partners reinforced our confidence that every detail will be designed for our delegates’ needs. Hosting IIMC in Ottawa will foster connections between our attendees and Ottawa’s municipal, federal, and community context, driving professional development and lasting impact.”

The result is also being positioned as evidence of the growing role played by ICAF in strengthening Canada’s international competitiveness. Destination Canada recently committed a renewed $15 million investment over three years to the fund, which provides strategic support to destinations bidding for major international conferences.

Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director, Business Events, Destination Canada, said: “Congratulations to Ottawa Tourism on securing the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) 2029 Annual Conference, and to IIMC for choosing Canada. This win reflects the strength of Ottawa’s collaborative approach, its compelling value proposition for business events, and Canada’s global reputation for delivering sustainable, high-impact meetings.

Through the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), Destination Canada is proud to help destinations like Ottawa compete for prestigious international organizations whose events drive economic growth, knowledge exchange, and long-term sector development. With a renewed $15 million investment over three years, ICAF continues to be a catalyst in elevating Canada’s competitiveness on the global stage, helping convert strong bids into successful outcomes that create lasting benefits for communities across the country.”

The IIMC win comes as Ottawa continues to demonstrate how international conferences can connect directly with the city’s institutional and sector strengths.

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), said: “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Ottawa Tourism and the City of Ottawa on the winning bid. This achievement reflects Canada's growing reputation as a premier destination for international business events and highlights the strength of collaboration between local tourism partners and the Government of Canada.

Through the International Convention Attraction Fund, administered by Destination Canada, we're helping Canadian destinations compete for high-value international conferences that create jobs, support local businesses and deliver lasting economic benefits. We look forward to welcoming IIMC delegates to Ottawa in 2029 and showcasing Canada's leadership as a world-class destination for meetings and events.”

The 2029 conference follows another recent ICAF-supported success for Ottawa: the International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference & Trade Show, held at Rogers Centre Ottawa in June 2026.

The event attracted an estimated 750 delegates, generated 1,825 room nights and delivered an estimated CAD $2.9 million in economic impact. It also demonstrated the potential for Ottawa to attract conferences closely aligned with local expertise, bringing together international delegates around district energy, clean technology, public infrastructure and sustainability.

For Ottawa, these events provide more than a measure of visitor expenditure. They create opportunities to connect international professional communities with the city’s public, private and academic sectors, while giving delegates access to Canadian expertise in areas relevant to their own work.

With IIMC 2029, Canada’s capital now has another opportunity to use its position as a centre of government and civic administration as part of its international business events proposition.
 

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