On Carrie Cussons and her defining tenure with Events East
This past fall, Carrie Cussons announced that she would step away as President and CEO of Events East Group in March 2026. The announcement marked the close of a defining chapter for the organization that has quietly become one of the city’s most substantial economic drivers.
Since the Halifax Convention Centre opened in 2018, the city’s national and international profile has expanded. Under Cussons’ leadership, the Halifax Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre have hosted more than 1,500 events, welcomed over 3.2 million guests, and generated more than $550 million in economic impact for Halifax and Nova Scotia.
The opening of the Halifax Convention Centre stands as a major milestone of Cussons’ tenure. Designed to attract national and international meetings aligned with Nova Scotia’s strategic sectors, the facility has hosted nearly 1,000 events and welcomed half a million guests in just seven years. The Convention Centre has achieved AIPC Quality Standards Gold Level Certification. The venue hosts between 40-50 major national and international events annually and has secured bookings into 2030.
In 2025, the Halifax Convention Centre was named the “World’s Greatest Convention Centre” by the Bloomberg Network series World’s Greatest, highlighting its service excellence, community partnerships, and Local Program, which channels approximately 60 per cent of food and beverage spending to more than 100 Nova Scotia suppliers. That same year, Halifax climbed to fourth place nationally in the International Congress & Convention Association’s City & Country Rankings, more than doubling its number of qualifying international events in a single year.
Alongside the Convention Centre’s success, Scotiabank Centre continued to thrive as Atlantic Canada’s premier multipurpose venue. Since 2018, it has hosted more than 600 events, welcomed 2.8 million fans, and generated over $320 million in economic impact. The venue generates year-round economic activity as a magnet for major concerts and national sporting events including the 2023 IIHF World Junior’s, the 2024 Juno’s and most recently, the 2025 Canadian Curling Trials, and as a home to the Halifax Mooseheads and Halifax Thunderbirds.
Cussons’ leadership extended beyond performance metrics. During her tenure, Events East strengthened its commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility—becoming a Certified Age-Friendly Employer, achieving Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification for the Halifax Convention Centre, and obtaining Rainbow Registration and embedding inclusive practices across both facilities. Her governance background also helped reinforce Events East’s reputation as a trusted partner to its shareholders and stakeholders.
That steady leadership is reflected in the organization’s newly released Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2030), which outlines a focused path forward built around five pillars: attract, deliver, build, lead, and thrive. The plan signals confidence that Events East can continue to grow its impact while operating responsibly within the realities of a mid-sized, globally connected city.
Cussons’ departure comes with national recognition. She was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful CEOs in 2024, a Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada in 2025, and received the FCPA designation from CPA Nova Scotia, honouring her career achievements and service to the community.
As Events East prepares for its next chapter, the foundation set by Cussons is firmly in place. The venues are performing above industry benchmarks, and the strategy ahead is clear. Cussons has positioned Events East as an organization capable of keeping Halifax on the world stage.
From the whole Halifax Chamber team: Congratulations, Carrie!
