Once again Winnipeg has proven that when major international events need a host, this city has it all.
Such was the case last month when hundreds upon hundreds of buyers, sellers and media from around the world descended on Winnipeg to kick off summer at Rendez-vous Canada (RVC 2025; May 27-30, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg).
RVC is Destination Canada’s flagship event for the travel trade market. To quote the organization, for nearly 50 years “this event has shone the spotlight on Canada, connecting international travel buyers with Canadian tourism businesses”, while “creating meaningful opportunities from coast to coast to coast.”
The massive city-wide (and nearly province-wide) event captured the hearts and minds of so many Winnipeggers, as all hands were on deck, from volunteers to tour hosts, to showcase this city, with attendees blown away by how much Canada’s Middle Child has on offer.
Plus, RVC 2025 also demonstrated that this city’s collaborative spirit –– be it working with partners including hotels, attractions and culinary destinations; or co-hosting and co-producing with Destination Canada, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Travel Manitoba –– is something that continues to shine here in the centre of Canada.
For those in the business, RVC is the “Super Bowl of the tourism industry,” and Winnipeg as host kicked more than its fair share of extra points.
To quote Marsh Walden, President & CEO of Destination Canada, and Claude Paul Bovin, Interim President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, “Together, we delivered far more than a travel tradeshow, we created a memorable experience that built relationships, opened doors for business, and proudly showcased Winnipeg, Manitoba and the very best of Canada’s tourism industry.”
Here's a few of the highlights and stats from RVC 2025.
RVC 2025 by the numbers (and how collaboration was key)
With 1,500 guests in attendance, RVC 2025 proved to be the perfect opportunity to showcase this city’s world-class venues, along with our excellent culinary scene and culture through numerous tours.
For starters, the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg’s marquee City View Room was transformed into an incredible trade show floor, with vendors representing every corner of this country. This included 500 Canadian tourism businesses and more than 400 international and domestic buyers representing 22 global markets. In total, there were over 55,000 B2B meetings held during the conference!
When it came to hosting tours and local representation at the RBC Convention Centre, Tourism Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba worked with more than 100 local industry partners and signed up over 125 volunteers to help put the city on the global pedestal.
Winnipeg itself is expected to generate $4.6 million alone from hosting RVC 2025, with 4,000 hotel rooms booked for this massive trade show.
Winnipeg’s world-class venues on show
RVC 2025 delegates were given a wide range of options for tours and experiences, across Winnipeg and into Manitoba.
In Winnipeg, outside of the RBC Convention Centre, nightly receptions were held in our world-class attractions that also double as event spaces.
On opening night, Destination Canada and TIAC co-hosted a huge affair in Assiniboine Park at both The Leaf and the Journey to Churchill . Throughout the evening, along with canapes and cocktails, RVC 2025 delegates were able to mix and mingle in settings that included polar bears swimming over their heads and standing over a lush jungle with Canada’s tallest indoor waterfall cascading down.
Within the awe-inspiring architecture of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, WestJet sponsored an event hosted by Tourism Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba that highlighted Manitoba’s diverse regions across the museum’s interactive galleries.
The post-FAM wrap-up party was held at Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, where delegates socialized amongst the world’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art at an event sponsored by Air Canada. As guests entered, they were greeted by performances from Folklorama – the world’s largest and longest running multicultural festival, held annually every August in Winnipeg.
Folklorama and many other local performers were on showcase all three days, with RVC guests treated to everything from Métis jigging and fiddling; a First Nation pow wow to open the trade floor; Caribbean tin drumming, and so many local singer songwriters and DJs.
FAM tours were held all over the city and province, with Winnipeg attractions like FortWhyte Alive, Oak Hammock Marsh, Outlet Collection Winnipeg, Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg, Royal Canadian Mint, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Manitoba Museum, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, and more on display. Our culinary scene – be it our restaurants in the Exchange District, our breweries and distilleries, or our legendary shops and bakeries –– was sampled too (actually, more like devoured) by delegates during their stay.
Trips outside of Winnipeg included canoeing and wild bison encounters in Riding Mountain National Park; visiting beaches and restaurants in the Interlake region; fishing for massive catfish in Lockport, MB; exploring one of Canada’s most important wetlands on canoe at Oak Hammock Marsh, and even flying up to Churchill, MB for beluga season.
What delegates said
- “I have attended conferences for 50 years—this was the best one, congratulations!”
- “This was the BEST RVC I have ever attended.”
- “Winnipeg—I had no idea. I have fallen in love with your city and province!”
- “You heard all our feedback from previous RVCs and our clients are so impressed.”
- “What an incredible welcome, you are making me cry.”
- “I have been on FAM tours across Canada and none have impressed me like this one.”
With a track record like this and such versatility, it’s no wonder Winnipeg remains top-of-mind for event planners looking to stage their next big thing.
To learn more about how we can make your event a success in Winnipeg, contact our team today.
