The IIMC conference will take place from 20 to 23 May 2029 in Ottawa. According to Ottawa Tourism, the event is expected to generate 2,991 total room nights and an estimated economic impact of CAD $2.8 million for the city.
National funding programme as lever for international conferences
Ottawa’s bid was supported by Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a national programme designed to help Canadian destinations compete for high-value international conferences. The fund has been renewed with a CAD $15 million investment over three years.
Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director, Business Events at Destination Canada, said: “Through the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), Destination Canada is proud to help destinations like Ottawa compete for prestigious international organizations whose events drive economic growth, knowledge exchange, and long-term sector development.”
Thematic alignment as success factor
The IIMC is a global professional association for municipal clerks, supporting them through education, professional development and the exchange of best practice. The choice of Ottawa as Canada’s capital offers delegates a direct connection to their field of work in municipal and civic administration.
Chris Shalby, Executive Director of the IIMC, explained the decision: “Ottawa provides a unique stage for IIMC’s annual conference, its status as Canada’s capital delivers both professional relevance and global profile for municipal clerks.” The collaborative approach from Ottawa Tourism, Destination Canada and local partners had reinforced confidence that the conference would be tailored to delegates’ needs, he added.
Ottawa continues to build its conference portfolio
The IIMC win follows a growing number of ICAF-supported conference successes for Ottawa. Most recently, the International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference & Trade Show took place at Rogers Centre Ottawa in June 2026. That event brought an estimated 750 delegates to the city, generated 1,825 total room nights and delivered an estimated economic impact of CAD $2.9 million.
Thematic alignment also played a role in the IDEA conference: district energy, clean technology and public infrastructure are areas where Ottawa has established expertise across the public, private and academic sectors. This pattern – strategically connecting conference content with local strengths – is emerging as a defining approach for Canada’s capital in the international conference market.
