Industry calendar
The industry calendar collects the dates that matter to people who work in events across Toronto and the GTA, so you can plan your own year around them.
What goes on the calendar
- Trade shows and expos where planners meet venues, rental companies, caterers and entertainment.
- Association meetings, including chapter education sessions and networking nights from professional associations.
- Venue open houses and showcases where you can see a space set for an event rather than empty.
- Education, such as workshops, certification sessions and school information nights for event management programs.
- Planning deadlines and lead times that recur every year.
Lead times worth marking
Some of the most useful entries are not events at all but reminders. An AGCO Special Occasion Permit for a private event must be applied for at least 10 days ahead, and a public event needs at least 30 days, with 60 days for events of 5,000 or more people a day. Public events also need municipal notification. A Toronto noise exemption for outdoor amplified sound takes about four weeks to process. Park permits for summer weekends should be requested months ahead.
Working back from your event date with these in mind is one of the simplest ways to avoid a last-minute scramble. The timeline generator can help.
Submitting an event
Organisers can submit events using the form below. Include the name, date, location, who it is for, whether it is free or paid, and a link for details. We list events that are relevant to event professionals in the GTA. Listing is free and does not imply endorsement.
Using the calendar well
Trade shows and open houses are good places to meet vendors before you need them, and to see how a venue looks when it is dressed. Bring your questions and your floor plan. Association meetings are often the easiest way for someone new to meet working planners, and many offer reduced rates or volunteer roles for students. Dates and details come from organisers, so always confirm with the organiser before you go.
Association meetings, trade shows and venue open houses in the GTA. Submit an event to be listed.
- ILEA Toronto: monthly chapter events.
- MPI Toronto: education and networking.
- Canadian Special Events Expo: annual trade show.