Explore Waterloo Region announces that it is hosting Innovate Canada 2023

WATERLOO — Explore Waterloo Region announces that it has been awarded Innovate Canada 2023, a Destination Canada Business Events Signature Event that spotlights the ground-breaking work taking place across Canada’s advanced manufacturing sector.

An exclusive, by-invitation annual event aimed at attracting international business events and investment to Canada, Innovate Canada rotates destinations and industry sectors each year. Innovate Canada 2023 will attempt to highlight the work being done across Waterloo’s advanced manufacturing sector including automotive, aerospace, food processing, cutting-edge robotics and automation innovation. Innovate Canada 2023 will also showcase Waterloo’s venues, attractions and experiences available for conferences.

“Explore Waterloo Region is thrilled to have been selected as host for Innovate Canada 2023,” said Michele Saran, CEO of Explore Waterloo Region. “In Canada, Waterloo Region is known as a centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing. We are excited to showcase both our deep expertise in that sector, as well as the incredible offerings for meetings and conferences here in Waterloo Region.”

As hosts of Innovate Canada 2023, Explore Waterloo Region is partnering with Waterloo EDC (Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation) to provide curated ecosystem tours of the region’s food, automotive, robotics automation, aviation and aerospace companies. Explore Waterloo Region will also be working with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to align the dates of its annual Manufacturing Summit with Innovate Canada 2023 to create an event within an event.

“The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with Explore Waterloo Region on this prestigious event,” said Chamber President and CEO, Ian Maclean. “Tourism is economic development, and it makes good sense for our two organizations to work together to showcase the many reasons to visit, work, live and invest in Waterloo Region.”

“Canada is a global leader across several industries and home to visionary experts and cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future,” said Virginie De Visscher, Senior Director of Business Development, Economic Sectors, Destination Canada Business Events. “In selecting Explore Waterloo Region as the host for Innovate Canada 2023, they not only demonstrated a clear depth, breadth, and global competitive advantage across Advanced Manufacturing, but an alignment with Destination Canada’s regenerative approach to tourism. For the first time, Innovate Canada will be a carbon neutral event and we could not be more proud to be working with Explore Waterloo Region on this milestone.”