Events East has reached a new milestone. Since 2018, the Halifax Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre have together surpassed $500 million dollars in economic impact for the city and province, attracting 3.2 million attendees across more than 1500 events. The Convention Centre is also on track to welcome 40,000 more attendees this fall.
First established through legislation in 2014, Events East Group manages and operates the Halifax Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre. The group was created as part of a government partnership between the Province of Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality, with a focus on promoting economic development, tourism, and industry in Halifax and Nova Scotia.
In 2018, shortly after the Halifax Convention Centre first opened, the Events East team set out a five-year plan to boost Halifax as a national and international destination for hosting world-class events. “The attraction of major national and international conferences and marquee sports and entertainment events—like the 2023 IIHF World Juniors and the 2024 JUNO Awards—has culminated in a new benchmark of generating half a billion dollars in economic impact, further underscoring how essential our infrastructure is for the city and province,” says Carrie Cussons, President and CEO of Events East.
Cussons adds that Oceans 2024 will be making big waves at the Convention Centre this fall. The global marine conference will be one of their largest international conventions of the year, set to welcome over 1500 delegates across four days in October.
Meeting their recent major milestones—generating $500 million in economic impact and welcoming 3.2 million attendees since 2018—is reflective of a larger shift for Events East. “We are seeing a new and emerging trend of bookings expanding into year-round periods that traditionally would have fewer events,” says Cussons. “Summer and early fall have become more robust than ever before, exceeding targets at each venue, and there is no sign of the trend reversing.”
Events East is making a positive impact on the local economy on an everyday basis. “One of the things I’m most proud of is our Local Program at the Convention Centre,” says Cussons. “Our menu features over 100 local food and beverage suppliers, and our Local Pop-Up Markets showcase Taste of Nova Scotia and Craft Nova Scotia, so when people come here to visit, they get to experience more of Nova Scotia while they’re here.”
Cussons adds that reaching these recent milestones was a team effort. “We really could not have this level of impact without our partners, like the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Nova Scotia Government, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Improvement Districts throughout the city,” says Cussons.
Cussons appreciates the unique way we do business in Halifax. “The level of partnership and collaboration that happens in this city is unparalleled,” she says. “It’s a key reason why I believe we have found success alongside our city over the past years. We work well together here.”
Encouraging this level of partnership is the key to continued success for everyone, says Cussons. “If we don’t collaborate, we will not succeed as a city or a province,” she says. “It’s really important that we continue to spotlight everything there is to offer in Nova Scotia, together.”
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