The Halifax Convention Centre isn’t set to open for another two years, but it is already attracting some big business to the region.
The convention centre’s new name and logo was unveiled Thursday, along with a list of 16 organizations already booking national and international conferences at the facility.
Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Ltd., said the new convention centre will give the entire province an economic boost.
“Arrive at our airport, eat in our restaurants, essentially taking over our entire downtown, but most importantly, travelling throughout our entire province of Nova Scotia,” said Ferguson.
StemFest is among the events already booked at the convention centre in 2018.The two-week conference will attract delegates in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics from around the world.
Halifax beat out some larger cities that had also hoped to host the event.
“When you hear you’re able to compete and win against cities like Durbin, St. Petersburg, that’s pretty cool,” said HRM Mayor Mike Savage.
The 16 conferences already slated to take place at the convention centre are expected to attract more than 12,000 visitors to the area and generate an estimated $18.1 million.
“Our hope is that having 1,000 people and 800 people coming to conventions is going to encourage them to come out and visit other parts of the province,” says Economic and Rural Development Minister Michel Samson.
The Halifax Convention Centre will include a hotel, financial tower and retail space. All three levels of government are involved in the funding.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster
