2025 Program

Tourism Can: Tourism Builds Canada

Tourism is more than travel—it is a tool for unity across Canada. TourismCan celebrates the industry that unites the country through building economies, communities, careers, innovation, and policy. Tourism is the thread that ties Canada together.

Thank you to our Program Advisory Committee for their guidance in assembling this year’s program.

Dates: November 18–20, 2025
Location: Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, QC

Program is subject to change.

Pre-Congress Workshops Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time	Session Description
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Registration
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Whet Your Appetite: Unlock Your Destination’s Taste of Place to Grow Culinary Tourism
	Travel Trade 101: The Different Segments of Travel Trade and Why It Is Important to Your Business
	Three-Hour Masterclass on Crisis Management for Canadian Tourism Leaders
	Get Your Shift Together: Fix Your People Problem and Manage the New Workforce
	Workshop #5 to be announced!
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Sustainable Tourism
	Funding and Investment Readiness
	Advocacy in Action: Shaping the Future of Tourism
	Workshop #4 to be announced!
	Workshop #5 to be announced!
Congress Day 1: Keynotes & Concurrent Sessions Wednesday, November 19, 2025
7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Registration
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Connect Join us for a continental breakfast and the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the day begins.
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Marketplace Join us in the Marketplace for an opportunity to connect and collaborate with key stakeholders.
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Welcome Remarks and Cultural Welcome
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Opening Keynote
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	State of the Industry Leadership Report
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Networking Break
Concurrent Sessions 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Destinations Session
	Cultural Tourism in Canada
	Storytelling & Travel Media
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Air Canada Future Leaders Luncheon
Concurrent Sessions 1:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.	From Insight to Impact: How Data Powers Decision Making
	Planning for Growth: Investing in Visitor Experiences
	Explore the Transformative Role of AI: Elevating Guest Experiences and Streamlining Operations Within the Tourism Industry
Concurrent Sessions 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Fostering Destination Stewardship Through Strategic Partnerships: Ottawa’s Food Recovery Program
	You are Hiring Second Best: How to Win over Insurance, Banking, and Technology for the Best Talent
	Balancing Protection and Enjoyment of Natural & Outdoor Attractions
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Networking Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Connecting Canada’s Visitor Economy: Sector Leaders Driving Growth
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	Welcome Reception Kick off the event in style at our Welcome Reception, where delegates can mingle, network and enjoy a relaxed evening of conversation and camaraderie.
Congress Day 2: Plenaries & Panels Thursday, November 20, 2025
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Registration
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Connect Join us for a continental breakfast and the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the day begins.
8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Marketplace Join us in the Marketplace for an opportunity to connect and collaborate with key stakeholders.
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.	Opening Remarks
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Destination Canada Session
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Plenary Session
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Panel Session on Meetings and Business Events
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	The Future of Work in Tourism
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	National Tourism Leadership Discussion: Building Canada’s Tourism Future Together
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.	Closing Session Stay tuned for a fun and interactive wrap up to the 2025 Tourism Congress!
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Canadian Tourism Awards Finalists Private Reception* This event is by invitation only.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Canadian Tourism Awards Reception** Join us for the CTA’s Pre-Reception. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Canadian Tourism Awards** Join us for the "Oscars" of the Tourism Industry! The Canadian Tourism Awards recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding achievements in the tourism industry. These prestigious awards honour the individuals, businesses, and organizations that exemplify excellence, innovation, and dedication to elevating Canadian tourism. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

*This event is by invitation only.
**This is a ticketed event and is not included with all registration pass types.