International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF)
International Convention Attraction Program (ICAF)
Canada’s award-winning International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) supports bids by Canadian destinations to host high-value international conferences.
Backed by the federal government since 2023, ICAF gives Canadian destinations a competitive edge and offers global meeting organizers another compelling reason to choose Canada.
Canada’s award-winning International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) supports bids by Canadian destinations to host high-value international conferences.
Backed by the federal government since 2023, ICAF gives Canadian destinations a competitive edge and offers global meeting organizers another compelling reason to choose Canada.
Who can apply
Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) putting together a bid for an eligible major international convention may apply.
DMOs must have an international business events attraction strategy, which includes the following key components: hosting infrastructure and facilities, marketing and promotion, dedicated financial and human resources and industry collaboration. A full definition of an international business events attraction strategy can be found under "DMO Eligibility" in the FAQs.
The international convention under consideration must:
- fall within Destination Canada's six priority economic sectors, or the tourism sector, and/or align with a Canadian federal government mandate, objective or initiative.
- produce well-documented economic benefits for host regions.
- align with at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- qualify as a “citywide” event by attracting a pre-defined minimum number of delegates, proportional to the size of the city, its infrastructure and facilities.
How it works
If an application is eligible to receive ICAF support, Destination Canada will calculate the funds that may be committed, based on a scoring system that evaluates the value of each bidding opportunity.
Destination Canada will then issue the DMO with a Letter of Support detailing this financial commitment. DMOs may include the letter in their bid submission at their discretion. Destination Canada will endeavour to provide this letter within approximately 30 days of receiving the application.
If the DMO’s bid is successful, Destination Canada and the DMO will negotiate and sign a Partnership Agreement outlining the terms under which the funding will be released.
Funding is disbursed to the DMO within 60 days of the execution of the Partnership Agreement.
Ahead of the event, the DMO must submit pre-event expenditure reports annually to Destination Canada.
Within three months of the end of the event, the DMO must submit a post-event report, including validation of outcomes, to Destination Canada.
Who can apply
Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) putting together a bid for an eligible major international convention may apply.
DMOs must have an international business events attraction strategy, which includes the following key components: hosting infrastructure and facilities, marketing and promotion, dedicated financial and human resources and industry collaboration. A full definition of an international business events attraction strategy can be found under "DMO Eligibility" in the FAQs.
The international convention under consideration must:
- fall within Destination Canada's six priority economic sectors, or the tourism sector, and/or align with a Canadian federal government mandate, objective or initiative.
- produce well-documented economic benefits for host regions.
- align with at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- qualify as a “citywide” event by attracting a pre-defined minimum number of delegates, proportional to the size of the city, its infrastructure and facilities.
How it works
If an application is eligible to receive ICAF support, Destination Canada will calculate the funds that may be committed, based on a scoring system that evaluates the value of each bidding opportunity.
Destination Canada will then issue the DMO with a Letter of Support detailing this financial commitment. DMOs may include the letter in their bid submission at their discretion. Destination Canada will endeavour to provide this letter within approximately 30 days of receiving the application.
If the DMO’s bid is successful, Destination Canada and the DMO will negotiate and sign a Partnership Agreement outlining the terms under which the funding will be released.
Funding is disbursed to the DMO within 60 days of the execution of the Partnership Agreement.
Ahead of the event, the DMO must submit pre-event expenditure reports annually to Destination Canada.
Within three months of the end of the event, the DMO must submit a post-event report, including validation of outcomes, to Destination Canada.
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