From the FIFA Women’s World Cup to The Canada Summer Games, the 103rd Grey Cup, Liberal Biennial Convention and countless other city-wide conferences, Winnipeg shines when it comes to staging huge events.
In the past few months, nationally, we’ve played host to Volleyball Canada’s 14U Volleyball Canada National Championships (May 11-14; 1,200 delegates), Skills Canada’s 2023 National Skills Competition (May 25 - 26, 2023; 1,330 delegates) and the Canadian Economics Association’s 2023 Annual Conference (May 31-June 4, 2023, 650 delegates).
And that’s just a start!
Huge Indigenous-led events here on Treaty No. 1 Territory
Internationally, we just staged the 10th annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) in April, which brought more than 1,100 delegates, including representatives from Australia, New Zealand and South America. It was the world’s largest-ever Indigenous tourism conference of its kind, and Winnipeg was a fitting stage for what was described as an “overwhelming success in terms of programming, attendees and more” that “set the bar to a height never seen before for Indigenous tourism in Canada,” according to Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC.
Winnipeg is located on Treaty One Territory – the ancestral and current-day lands and waters of the Anishinaabeg (Ojibway), Nehiyaw (Cree), Anishininew (Oji-Cree), Dakota and Denesuline Peoples, the heartland of the Métis Nation and home to many Inuit. We’re also the home to Canada’s largest urban Indigenous population, making us a natural fit for Indigenous-led and focused events and cultural celebrations.
For the past 20 years (minus two during the pandemic), Winnipeg served as the backdrop for one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous people on Turtle Island: Manito Ahbee. This event features everything from concerts and award shows to North America’s second-largest powwow and an incredible market.
Winnipeg also hosted the Gathering of Elders 2019 National Gathering of Elders (3,450 delegates), the Canadian Native Fastball Association 2019 Canadian Native Fastball Championships (1,440 participants), and most recently, the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships for its 20th anniversary, featuring more than 500 combined participants and fans.
Winnipeg Whiteout Street Parties
The 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, of course, wasn’t the only hockey event to make waves in the city.
The Winnipeg Ice once again came up just short of making the Memorial Cup after an impressive WHL playoff run featuring all sold-out games at Wayne Fleming Arena. Plus, the Manitoba Moose kept bringing in crowds to Canada Life Centre during the Calder Cup playoffs this spring.
Making international news was our now-legendary Winnipeg Whiteout Street Parties, which – despite only getting two home playoff games – showcased how quickly the city can stage a party on the world stage. The sold-out parties saw 5,000 fans buying tickets to the outdoor viewing event, along with an additional 1,000 fans in True North Square, creating an experience with high-energy vibes.
Why Winnipeg?
And why is it that so many large events generate such successful results here in Winnipeg?
Part of it is that our mid-sized city knows how to get behind events! We’re always able to find sponsors, volunteers and venues to realize your business or sporting event ambitions. Our 50+ Team Winnipeg partners will help make your event the star while you’re here by providing all of the resources you need before, during and after.
And the next massive showcase will be our biggest yet.
The 2023 World Police and Fire Games (July 28 – August 6) has already sold out almost every hotel in the city, with an estimated 8,500 athletes coming from nearly 70 countries. This massive, huge endeavour will feature 67 sports spread across the city, using every imaginable venue. In addition to taking in sporting events at our main venues and universities, you’ll be able to catch sports like boxing, tennis and jiu-jitsu at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg; bodybuilding will take place at the MET, and stair races will take advantage of our towering 300 Main – the city’s tallest new apartment complex.
With a track record like this and such versatility, no wonder Winnipeg remains top-of-mind for event planners looking to stage their next big thing.
To learn more about how we can help facilitate and organize your next event, call our team today at 1 855 PEG CITY (734-2489).
