In mid-December, a joint industry letter urging the continuation of the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) was delivered to Prime Minister Mark Carney and other key federal decision-makers.

With ICAF set to expire in March 2026, the letter—initiated by Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC), the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Hotel Association of Canada, and endorsed by more than 100 industry partners—underscores concern about the future of this proven program, which has delivered a 22:1 return on investment.

The letter calls on Prime Minister Carney to commit $10 million annually over four years to renew the fund.

The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

December 10, 2025

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

Canada’s tourism sector is united in its concern about the future of the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF). Budget 2025 did not renew the program, which expires in March 2026. This $10 million annual investment delivers a 22:1 return and advances your trade diversification and competitiveness objectives.

Your Budget 2025 vision aims to catalyze $1 trillion in investment over five years by focusing “government spending where it delivers the highest return.” ICAF exemplifies this approach.

International conferences are being planned now for 2028, 2029, and beyond. However, without ICAF’s renewal, Canadian cities will be unable to compete with international destinations that offer millions in financial support for these bids. Each lost opportunity represents foregone economic activity and tax revenue. It also means Canadian researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders lose the chance to connect with global peers and showcase Canadian innovation.

According to Destination Canada, ICAF has committed $30.5 million since launched, winning 87 events projected to generate $649.8 million in direct economic impact and $44.8 million in federal tax revenue. The program was originally projected to only generate $174 million.

Just as “Own the Podium” helps Canadian athletes win Olympic gold, ICAF helps Canadian cities win high-value international gatherings of global leaders in advanced manufacturing, AI, life sciences, finance and insurance, natural resources, and agribusiness. These are the sectors critical to reducing Canada’s reliance on a single trade partner and building the strongest economy in the G7.

We are asking you to commit $10 million annually for four years to renew the International Convention Attraction Fund. This strategic investment exemplifies the crowding in approach central to Budget 2025—public dollars that mobilize multiples of private sector activity. ICAF will catalyze hundreds of millions in private investment, protect thousands of jobs, and strengthen Canada’s competitive position in the global business events market. This is precisely the type of high-return, productivity-enhancing investment your government has prioritized.

Please confirm your support and renew the International Convention Attraction Fund.

Sincerely,

Sébastien Benedict, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Beth McMahon, President & CEO, Hotel Association of Canada
Minto Schneider, Chair, Meetings Mean Business Canada
Keith Henry, President & Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Laura Pallotta, Vice President Sales and Distribution – Canada, Marriott International
Ben Cadwell Chief Operating Officer, Fairmont & Raffles, Americas
Mark Reeves, Regional Vice President, Franchise Performance Support, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada
Marie Pier Germain, Co-présidente, Germain Hôtels
Bradley Sutherland, Director, Business Development, Air Canada
Christina Iversen, Head of External Affairs, WestJet
Jeff Morrison, President & CEO, National Airlines Council of Canada
Monette Pasher President Canadian Airports Council
Matthew Jelley President Maritime Fun Group (PEI) Ltd.
Kelly Higginson President & CEO Restaurants Canada
Paul Nursey President & CEO Destination Greater Victoria
Sheri Moore, BPR Partner, Creative Director MCC Destination Management
Mylène Gagnon Vice-President, Sales and Convention Services Tourisme Montréal
Lesley Pincombe President & CEO Rogers Centre Ottawa
Laura Purdy General Manager Exhibition Place
Arlindo Gomes Vice President, Business Development & Venues Management Explore Edmonton
Nancy Small CEO Tourism Richmond
Royce Chwin President & CEO Destination Vancouver
Ross Jefferson President & CEO Discover Halifax
Andrew Weir President & CEO Destination Toronto
Tyler Riopel CEO Tourism Jasper
Michael Crockatt President & CEO Ottawa Tourism
Alisha Reynolds President & CEO Tourism Calgary
Leslie Bruce President & CEO Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Colin Ferguson President & CEO Travel Manitoba
Stephanie Pocha CEO Discover Saskatoon
Alex Stubbing President & CEO Travel Nunavut
Caroline Anderson Executive Director Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon
Darren Reeder President & CEO Tourism Industry Association of Alberta
Jim Bence President & CEO Hospitality Saskatchewan
John Gunter Chair Tourism Industry Association of Manitoba
Corryn Clemence CEO Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island
Walt Judas President & CEO Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia
Ginette Doiron CEO Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick
Darlene Grant Fiander President Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
Barry Smith Executive Director Convention Centres of Canada
Bianca Kennedy Past President Canadian Association of Exposition Managers
Brent Meade Chief Executive Officer St. John’s Convention Centre
Caroline Lepage President and CEO Québec City Business Destination
Charles Loewen General Manager, OVG360 Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Darrin Pollard General Manager & CEO RBC Place London
David Campbell, CPA, CMA Managing Director Encore Canada
Debbie Heywood Manager, Event Services Prince George Conference and Civic Centre
Dustin Westling CSEP Managing Partner OneWest Event Design & Production
Emmanuelle Legault President and CEO Palais des congrès de Montréal
Erin Blanchard General Manager Fredericton Convention Centre
Jennifer Spear President Clean Slate Strategies
John C. Dunn Founder Floor13
Kathy Haley President & CEO Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Telus Calgary Convention Centre
Matt Coyne President Cantrav
Matthew Klas Managing Director HLT Advisory Inc.
Nathan Gauld General Manager Victoria Conference Centre
Preston Miller Director, Conference Sales Tourism Whistler
Shari Bricks Executive Director Canadian Association of Professional Speakers
Sonia Moffatt Vice-President & General Manager Freeman
Tammy Sweeney Chief Executive Officer TCU Place, Saskatoon Arts & Convention Centre
Tim Oldfield President & General Manager Niagara Falls Convention Centre
Matt Wehling Senior Vice President, Development US/Canada Hilton
Donna Lee Demarcke CEO Northwest Territories Tourism
Geneviève Cantin Présidente-directrice générale Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec
Paul Bugge CEO Destination St. John’s
Andrew Siegwart President and CEO Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Vincenza Ronaldi President and CEO Destination Ontario
Craig Foley CEO Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador
Doug Birrell President Niagara Falls Canada Hotel Association
Chris Yeung Executive Director Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Ltd.
Dominique Villeneuve Présidente-directrice générale L’Association Hôtelière du Grand Montréal
Paul Hawes President & CEO BC Hotel Association
Sandra Jackle President & CEO Regina Hotel Association
Tracy Douglas-Blowers President & CEO Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association
Myka Osinchuk Senior Executive Calgary Hotel Association
Barrett Fisher President & CEO Tourism Whistler
Alnoor Gulamani President Bayview Group
Darrell Schuurman Chief Executive Officer Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce
Sara Anghel President & CEO Greater Toronto Hotel Association
Krista Leclair Executive Director Kingston Accommodation Partners
Michael Juce President & CEO Manitoba Hotel Association
Tony Elenis President & CEO Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association
Christine Kennedy CEO Atlific Hotels
Susan Freeman Executive Director Meet PEI
Shazma Charania President ZS Holdings Ltd.
Vanessa Kosteroski Chair Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels
Doug Hayes Senior Vice President Sandman Hotel Group
Alupa Clarke Directeur général Association hôtelière de la région de Québec
Doug Smith Head of Institutional and Managed Development Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
John Cudmore Chair The Hotel Association of Prince Edward Island Inc.
Carey Power President Hotel Association of Nova Scotia
David Stevenson-Moore Chair Hotel Association of Vancouver
Irwin M. Prince President & COO Realstar Hospitality
Don Lougheed Regional Vice President Franchise Performance & Commercial Services – Canada Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
Kevin Toth President Fox Harb’r Resort
Steve Ball President & CEO Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association
Tony Cohen Partner & Executive Vice President Crescent Hotels & Resorts
Alexis Kereluk Partner Connect Seven Group
Melissa French Chief Operating Officer Silver Hotel Group
Véronyque Tremblay Présidente-directrice générale Association hôtellerie du Québec
Grant Snider President & CEO Meeting Escrow Inc.
Alissa Hurley Chief Commercial Officer Stagevision
Greg Newton Executive Vice President Conventions and Events & General Manager BMO Centre- Calgary Stampede
Drew Fisher President & CEO RBC Convention Centre – Winnipeg
Craig Lehto General Manager Vancouver Convention Centre
Madalena Morais National Sales Account Manager CCR Solutions
Calvin J. Goodkey President Goodkey Show Services Ltd.
Dawn Baldwin Director of Sales Halifax Convention Centre
Suzanne Fougere Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development Events East Group
Janice Matthews Senior Director, Business Development National & Global Parnterships e=mc² events
John G Murray President & CEO Sonesta Hotels & Resort