Today the general
assembly of the Union des Foires Internationale voted to accept The
National Trade Centre at Exhibition Place into its membership of international
fairs and exhibition grounds.
The National Trade Centre, at Exhibition Place is the first North
American tradeshow facility to be accepted into this prestigious worldwide
organization. On his inspection visit to Toronto in late September
of this year, the president of UFI, Prof. Dr. Manfred Busche, commented
that he applauded the vision of the National Trade Centre in its outstanding
efforts to increase the number of new tradeshows and events booked
into the facility by over 242% in just 3 years.
Headquartered in Paris, France, the Union des Foires Internationale
(UFI) is a non-political and non-profit organisation, the principal
goal of which is to further international trade through it members.
The objectives of UFI are also to study how to develop trade fairs
and exhibitions carried out by its members in order to make this important
medium still more effective in the servicing of world trade.
The Chairman of the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place, Councillor
Joe Pantalone, confirmed his delight at this news and added that “This
confirms my view that Toronto is one of the major city destinations
for trade and consumer shows and that the decision to build The National
Trade Centre was a wise and timely investment decision by all levels
of Government.“
Mr. Ernest Vincent, General Manager of The National Trade Centre,
confirmed that over 100 trade/consumer shows and events take place
annually at the centre. The City of Toronto is one of the busiest
show sites in North America – our task is to further develop
the profile of the city on the world stage as a place to host major
B2B and consumer events. The potential for further economic benefit
to the City is enormous.
The National Trade Centre is Canada’s largest tradeshow facility,
with over one million square feet of connected usable space. The National
Trade Centre, the jewel of the waterfront, generates over one quarter
of a billion dollars in economic impact (new spending) for the City
of Toronto each year. The National Trade Centre is owned by the City
of Toronto and professionally managed by O&Y/SMG Canada. O&Y/SMG
Canada is a Canadian company offering management services to convention
and trade centres, arenas, stadiums and theatres across the country. |
