Tourism Congress 2026
2026 Tourism Congress Program and Schedule
This year's theme: ACCESS - Unlocking Canada's Tourism Advantage
Attend expert-led sessions focused on tourism's biggest opportunities: accessing talent, securing capital, and bringing visitors to destinations. Discover practical solutions for your business and contribute to the conversations shaping Canada's tourism future.
Program Highlights
Explore some of the featured experiences and sessions taking place during Tourism Congress 2026.
The Cost of Perception: A Career in Tourism
Acclaimed HR specialist Jean-François Bertholet begins Congress by inviting us to redefine what it means to work and succeed in tourism.
Lobster Tank: Business Investment Pitch Showcase
Participants pitch their tourism business ideas to guest investment-expert judges on this fun, competitive segment. Test yourself and see what it takes to secure funding.
The Access Gap: Research Reveals the Canadian Travel Truth
National poll findings uncover what motivates and prevents Canadians from travelling within their own country.
Maritime Kitchen Party Welcome Reception
Kick off the 2026 Tourism Congress with a night of food, fiddles and fun.
Canadian Tourism Awards
Celebrate the people and organizations creating exceptional tourism experiences across Canada.
Full Program and Schedule
Review the complete Tourism Congress schedule below. Program subject to change.
Day One
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
6:30 p.m.
to 9:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Maritime Kitchen Party
Kick off the 2026 Tourism Congress at TIAC's Maritime Kitchen Party. Join us for a night of food, fiddles and fun!
Location: Boyce Farmers Market
Day Two
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m.
Registration
Location: Conference Office
7:30 a.m.
to 8:30 a.m.
Congress Marketplace - Coffee & Connect
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
8:30 a.m.
to 8:40 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
8:40 a.m.
to 9:00 a.m.
TIAC Report
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
9:00 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m.
Featured Session
The Cost of Perception: A Career in Tourism
Acclaimed HR specialist Jean-François Bertholet begins Congress by inviting us to redefine what it means to work and succeed in tourism.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
Jean-François Bertholet
Workplace Specialist and Leadership Expert
HEC Montréal
10:00 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
10:30 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
The Tourism Credential Debate
Experts weigh the pros and practicalities of a tourism professional credential to support the workforce. What side are you on?
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
Rebecca Mackenzie
President & CEO
Culinary Tourism Alliance
Wayne Smith
Hospitality and Tourism Management Professor
Toronto Metropolitan University
Ask a Leader: Workforce Edition
Learn from leaders as they make decisions in the moment to navigate real-world workforce challenges.
Location: Barkers Point A & B
Nancy Healey
EI Commissioner for Employers
Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC)
Lindsey Gartner
Project Director
Outdoor Council of Canada
11:30 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
12:00 p.m.
to 1:00 p.m.
Air Canada Luncheon
Emerging Voices: Youth Ideas for Canada's Tourism Future
Selected through the 2026 Air Canada Future Tourism Leaders Contest, students from across Canada will share their vision for the future of tourism. Through fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and personal experiences, these emerging leaders will explore new ideas that can help strengthen Canada's tourism sector and inspire the next generation of industry leaders. Join us for a conversation about the opportunities, trends, and possibilities shaping the future of tourism in Canada.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
1:00 p.m.
to 1:30 p.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
1:30 p.m.
to 2:30 p.m.
Featured Session
Lobster Tank: Business Investment Pitch Showcase
Participants pitch their tourism business ideas to guest investment-expert judges on this fun, competitive segment. Test yourself and see what it takes to secure funding.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
2:30 p.m.
to 3:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
3:00 p.m.
to 4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
The Infrastructure Funding Gap
Join tourism operators, lenders and developers for a deep dive into why projects succeed, how they stall and what needs to change to unlock future development and grow tourism.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
The Lasting Value of Events
From hotel stays to renown and repeat visits, discover the short- and long-term potential of hosting events in your region.
Location: Barkers Point A & B
Yves Lalumière
President and CEO
Tourisme Montréal
6:00 p.m.
to 6:30 p.m.
Canadian Tourism Awards Finalists Private Reception
Location: Barkers Point A & B
6:30 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m.
Canadian Tourism Awards Reception
Location: Barkers Point A & B
7:30 p.m.
to 10:00 p.m.
Awards Gala
Canadian Tourism Awards
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
Day Three
Thursday, November 19, 2026
8:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m.
Registration
Location: Conference Office
8:00 a.m.
to 9:00 a.m.
Congress Marketplace - Coffee & Connect
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
9:00 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m.
Featured Research
The Access Gap: Research Reveals the Canadian Travel Truth
National poll findings uncover what motivates and prevents Canadians from being tourists in their own country. Come, challenge your assumptions and focus your efforts.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
Stuart Back
COO for Banff Jasper Collection
Pursuit
Joanne Dobson
Senior Director, Government Relations - Federal and Ontario
Air Canada
Craig Worden
President & Chief Innovation Officer
Pollara Strategic Insights
10:00 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
10:30 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Access at the Border: Policy Case Studies
When border policies shift, international visitation drops or climbs. Hear from sector-wide players involved in and affected by access to Canada.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
Decision to Destination: Seamless Travel Partnerships
Explore how partnerships across the tourism sector and traveller journey - from planning and booking to arrival - can create seamless experiences that bring more visitors to their destinations.
Location: Barkers Point A & B
11:30 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
12:00 p.m.
to 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon - Sponsored by WestJet
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB
1:30 p.m.
to 2:00 p.m.
Networking Break & Congress Marketplace
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne Atrium
2:00 p.m.
to 3:00 p.m.
Closing Plenary
Closing Plenary
Finish Tourism Congress with a thought-provoking conversation about Canada's place in the global travel market and how the industry can reach its full potential.
Location: Pointe Sainte-Anne AB