How international conferences are creating lasting opportunities for our province
Over the next year, thousands of researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world will arrive in Halifax to tackle some of the most important issues shaping our future.
From ocean conservation and research to defence, life sciences and emerging technologies, a growing number of international organizations are choosing Halifax and Nova Scotia as the place to gather, exchange ideas and build new partnerships.
“The Halifax Convention Centre is showcasing Nova Scotia to the world by positioning our province as a leading destination for business and industry, and as a result, our international reputation is growing.”
— Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth & Development
More than meetings
Major conferences are increasingly viewed as catalysts for economic development, creating opportunities to attract investment, support local industries and highlight the province’s expertise. At the center of that activity is the Halifax Convention Centre, which is preparing for one of its busiest years yet as Nova Scotia welcomes a growing number of high-profile events attracting an international audience.
“Halifax continues to punch above its weight, competing with large urban centres as we steadily increase the number of international conventions hosted in Halifax,” says Suzanne Fougere, President and CEO of Events East Group. “These events generate important economic activity. They also create opportunities to build relationships and showcase what our province has to offer on a global stage.”
The Halifax Convention Centre has become an important driver of economic activity. Since 2018, it has generated more than $400 million in direct expenditures for the city and province.
In 2025-26 alone, the Halifax Convention Centre hosted 53 national and international conventions that generated more than $91 million in direct expenditures. They are on track to achieve even stronger results this year, and the benefits are being felt in every region of the province, supporting hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, tourism operators, retailers, and local businesses.
DEFSEC Atlantic is an incredible example of a convention that is driving local impact and international recognition. The conference and trade show connects military personnel, government representatives, industry leaders, researchers, and businesses from across Canada and around the world. It first launched at the Shearwater International Airshow in the 1990s. Today, it attracts more than 3,500 delegates from over 20 countries to downtown Halifax every October and has grown to become the second largest defense show in Canada, hosting its annual conference at the Halifax Convention Centre since 2021.
“To become truly world class, we needed a facility that would really answer the call when it came to growth and luckily, we found the Halifax Convention Centre.”
— Colin Stephenson, Executive Director, DEFSEC Atlantic
Building momentum
Momentum on the international conference front continues in December when the Halifax Convention Centre hosts ArcticNet, the largest annual northern and Arctic science conference in North America. The event will bring together approximately 1,200 researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, students and community leaders to discuss Arctic sustainability, climate resilience and innovation.
A defining moment: The Our Ocean Conference
Among the most anticipated events on the horizon is the 12th Our Ocean Conference, which will welcome approximately 2,500 delegates to Halifax in May 2027. Hosted by the Government of Canada, the conference is one of the world’s leading forums focused on ocean conservation, sustainable ocean economies and international ocean governance.
The conference is particularly meaningful for Nova Scotia, a province that is uniquely positioned to contribute to discussions shaping the future of our oceans and offers a platform to profile Nova Scotia’s capabilities in ocean science, marine innovation, sustainable fisheries, clean technology and environmental leadership. The international attention generated by an event of this scale also creates opportunities to attract investment and strengthen research collaborations that support long-term economic growth.
“Halifax has helped connect Canada to the world for generations. Today, our strengths in ocean science, industry and defence position us to help shape the ocean economy’s future. Hosting the 12th Our Ocean Conference is an opportunity to turn that expertise into new partnerships, investment and good jobs here at home. The Halifax Convention Centre helps open those doors, bringing global gatherings to our city and extending their benefits to businesses and communities across Nova Scotia.”
— Mayor Andy Fillmore, Halifax Regional Municipality
Together, ArcticNet, Our Ocean and dozens of other national and international conferences demonstrate how Halifax is increasingly recognized as a destination of choice for conversations that influence public policy, scientific research, economic development and global investment.
Hospitality as a competitive advantage
While infrastructure, sector expertise and economic opportunity are important factors in attracting major events, delegate experience remains an important differentiator.
For many international visitors, a conference is their first introduction to Nova Scotia. The impressions they form of the province, its people and its business community can influence future travel decisions, business relationships and investment opportunities.
Recognizing this, the Halifax Convention Centre has built a reputation for delivering welcoming and inclusive experiences that encourage delegates to enjoy Nova Scotia beyond the venue’s four walls.
Through its Local Program, the Halifax Convention Centre partners with more than 100 local suppliers to create customized experiences during their events. The Local Pop-up program is another way the Convention Centre showcases authentic Nova Scotian products directly to guests. In collaboration with local partners such as Taste of Nova Scotia, Craft Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Loyal, the Halifax Convention Centre brings local producers, artisans and makers directly into the delegate experience. Each pop-up is purposefully assembled to give guests an opportunity to sample local flavours, discover unique products and connect with the people and stories behind them.
“It’s about creating a sense of place and giving delegates a genuine connection to Nova Scotia, one that inspires them to explore more of what our province has to offer,” says Fougere. “These experiences help make a visit to Nova Scotia even more memorable while strengthening the connection between the events we host and the communities that make our destination special.”
Those curated client experiences often encourage delegates to return for future visits, recommend the destination to colleagues, or explore opportunities to do business in the region. And, that commitment to excellence is supported by internationally recognized standards. The Halifax Convention Centre is Rainbow Registered, Age Friendly Certified and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified. The Centre also recently achieved Gold Level Re-Certification through the International Association of Convention Centres, placing it among a select group of convention centres worldwide recognized for excellence in management and service delivery.
Looking ahead
For the Halifax Convention Centre, the significant number of international conferences secured through 2030 is further affirmation of Halifax’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting complex, high-profile events. It also demonstrates how the meetings and conventions sector can create value far beyond direct visitor spending by connecting local industries to global opportunities.
For businesses, academic institutions and community organizations, the message is clear: when the world comes to Nova Scotia, the opportunity belongs to all of us.
“The delegates who attend conferences in Halifax over the coming years will leave with impressions of our province, our people and our potential. Through the experiences they have and the relationships they build, they will carry Nova Scotia’s story back to every corner of the globe,” says Fougere. “We are proud to provide a venue where important discussions happen and where Nova Scotia can continue to shine.”
