Ottawa Tourism is highlighting a wave of development, including significant new investments in venues, hotels and public infrastructure, as well as recently enhanced air connectivity from Europe. The local CVB believes they all add up to making Canada’s capital more attractive for conferences, meetings and major events.
Developed in collaboration with Ottawa Unlimited, a partnership between Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa and Ottawa Board of Trade, the city enhancements are part of a broader vision to improve Ottawa’s position as a people-first and accessible city.
More than $1.1bn (CAD$1.5bn) in public and private investment is now flowing into the city’s downtown core, supporting a wide range of new projects, from cultural landmarks and active streetscapes to mixed-use developments and initiatives that enhance the delegate experience.
Among the standout projects is History Ottawa, a 2,000-capacity venue by Live Nation Canada opening on Rideau Street in early 2026. The venue will be able to host a wide range of business and entertainment events, helping to meet the growing demand for modern, mid-sized gathering spaces.
Opened soon, the Hard Rock Hotel Ottawa will offer 150 guestrooms, 22 suites, a 1,800-seat theatre, plus a casino, restaurants and lounges, providing planners with a high-impact, all-in-one event venue.
While in the ByWard Market, the newly opened AC Marriott Ottawa brings 159 stylish guestrooms and 3,648 square feet of bright, functional meeting space across five rooms. Its neighbour, the Moxy Ottawa, is another new addition, with 224 rooms.
And, scheduled to open in 2026, Ādisōke – Ottawa’s new central library and archive – will offer accessible gathering space for receptions, workshops and cultural programming.
Ottawa’s international connectivity is also giving business events a significant lift. The return of direct Air Canada flights from London Heathrow (March 2025) and a new Air France service from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (April 2024) are making the city more accessible than ever for European attendees. Both routes offer multiple weekly flights and onward connections.
“Ottawa is seeing smart, sustained investment in the things that matter to event organisers – venues, hotels, walkability, and connectivity,” said Stephanie Seguin, Ottawa Tourism’s vice-president, business and major events.
For more information about Ottawa, visit www.ottawatourism.ca
Ottawa Tourism is the official destination marketing organisation for Canada’s capital city and surrounding region. A not-for-profit and membership-based organisation, it works with more than 450 member businesses to showcase the best of the region.
