As Canada’s capital celebrates winning URSI GASS 2032 (the 38th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI), Ottawa Tourism has reported, during IMEX America, a 50% increase in international association enquiries across the last year.
The URSI GASS world congress is held every three years and it is a strong example of Ottawa’s successful bidding strategy.
That opportunity was first identified in 2013, showing the kind of patience often needed to win major international association business.
Professor David G. Michelson, president of the Canadian National Committee of the International Union of Radio Science, noting that international congresses of this scale depend on the commitment of their national communities, said: “We look forward to welcoming colleagues from around the world to Ottawa and intend to take full advantage of Ottawa’s role as a G7 capital to make this a particularly impactful event.”
Stephanie Seguin, vice-president, sales, business and major events at Ottawa Tourism, said: “A 50% increase is significant, but the important point is that Ottawa was ready for that interest. We have spent 15 years finding the right organisations, understanding their sectors and staying in touch, sometimes for many years before a bid is ready.”
Canada’s capital has built its approach around the sectors in which the city has credible strength, including software, information and communications technology, cybersecurity, engineering, life sciences, defence and security.
Carly Grace, vice-president of sales at Rogers Centre Ottawa, said: “Our 15th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on what a sustained partnership can achieve. Organisers want confidence in the venue, the city and the people supporting them. When those pieces come together, first-time events can become advocates for Ottawa and create opportunities for further business in the same sector.”
That local work is reinforced by Destination Canada through the International Convention Attraction Fund. The fund strengthens eligible Canadian bids for high-value international conferences and supports events that align with national economic priorities and deliver measurable benefits for host communities.
Ottawa’s recent success in securing the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Annual Conference for 2029 shows that partnership in practice. Supported by ICAF, the conference is expected to bring around 1,000 delegates, generate 2,991 room nights and deliver an estimated CAD$2.8m in economic impact.
New direct air services from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Paris, more than 6,000 hotel rooms in the downtown area and a compact, walkable centre are also helping support the Ottawa proposition.
