1. Why Important Meetings Happen Here

2. Canada’s Capital Proximity to decision-makers, national media, international diplomatic community If getting their attention is important to an event, this is the place to get noticed Why Important Meetings Happen Here NATIONAL STAGE

3. SMART CITY Highest concentration of PhDs including 74,000 scientists and engineers in Canada, second highest in North America Thriving startups and established firms in health & life sciences, cleantech, defense & security, telecommunications, gaming and ecommerce Scores of world-class research institutes and facilities Two universities and two colleges with over 27,000 students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs Most patents per capita of any Canadian city (2005-12) Ready source of expert speakers and panelists Why Important Meetings Happen Here

4. ACCESSIBLE Easy to get to and get around Within a 2-hour flight of over 200 million North Americans Award-winning Ottawa International Airport is just 15 minutes from downtown 6,000 hotel rooms within easy walking distance of Shaw Centre New light rail system opening in 2018 Why Important Meetings Happen Here

5. SUPER CENTRE Shaw Centre – Canada’s Meeting Place Recently ranked in top three best convention centres in the world by AIPC LEED Gold certified for sustainable practices 192,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space Located in the heart of downtown overlooking Parliament and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Why Important Meetings Happen Here

6. Big international brands and unique boutique properties Many offering significant meeting space Many located within easy walking distance of Shaw Centre and national sites and attractions HOST HOTELS Why Important Meetings Happen Here

8. National museums offer unique grand public spaces for receptions, dinners and galas Surround delegates with the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles at the Canadian Museum of History Hold a reception in the midst of dinosaurs at the Canadian Museum of Nature Watch your event take flight at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum Dine in the hallowed confines of the Canadian War Museum Let imaginations loose at the National Gallery of Canada OFF-SITE VENUES Why Important Meetings Happen Here

9. One of Canada’s most visited destinations MUST-DO DESTINATION Capital sites, attractions and landmarks Museums, galleries and performance venues showcasing Canadian arts and culture Unique neighourhoods offering diverse dining, shopping and nightlife Natural beauty and outdoor adventure in the heart of the city Why Important Meetings Happen Here

10. THE place to celebrate Canada’s 150 th anniversary in 2017 365 days of celebration and once-in-a-lifetime events Signature, national and partner events Transformative legacy projects Why Important Meetings Happen Here CELEBRATION CENTRAL

11. Major new projects scheduled for completion in 2017 and after Why Important Meetings Happen Here A CITY IN TRANSFORMATION New Confederation Line light rail transit including tunnel through downtown National Arts Centre rejuvenation Massive new Canada Hall at Canadian Museum of History New Innovation Centre Refurbished Canada Science & Technology Museum Global Centre for Pluralism New hotels New municipal Arts Court

12. Why Important Meetings Happen Here One-stop RFP response/ bid coordination for destination Site visits Resources and tools to market the destination and your event Ottawa Tourism & partners are here to help every step of the way: Complimentary convention hosting services Delegate Flash Your Badge program for discounts and promotions at participating restaurants, retailers, attractions and services AT YOUR SERVICE