Ottawa is preparing to welcome professionals from a variety of sectors in 2026, with conferences and events expected to draw hundreds of attendees, creating significant economic impact.
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Ottawa is preparing to welcome professionals from a variety of sectors in 2026, with conferences and events expected to draw hundreds of attendees, creating significant economic impact.Â
Compared to leisure tourism, business travel has been slower to recover from the pandemic. But, according to Ottawa Tourism, 2025 marked an uptick in activity, with the city attracting more conferences and corporate meetings than it has in years.Â
Here are some of the events coming to the capital in the first quarter of 2026.Â
Cannexus 2026
CERIC (Canadian Education & Research Institute for Counselling) Jan. 26–28, Rogers Centre Ottawa This bilingual career and workforce development conference, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will feature keynote speakers including activist Spencer West, journalist Farah Nasser and Juno-winning Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark.ÂCanadian Organization of Medical Physicists – Winter School 2026
Jan. 28–Feb. 1, Brookstreet Hotel The three-day conference, which brings together physicists, radiation therapists, oncologists and dosimetrists for professional development and networking, will reflect on how quality and safety practices have evolved in the radiation medicine and medical imaging field over the past 15 years.ÂCanadian Culinary Championship 2026
Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Jan. 30–31, Rogers Centre Ottawa Canada’s top chefs will once again gather in the capital this January to test their skills in a series of challenges to crown the country’s next culinary champion. Ottawa will be represented in the upcoming competition by Jason Sawision and his team from Stofa Restaurant.ÂConsumer Choice Awards 2026
Feb. 3, Ottawa Conference and Event Centre Established in 1987, the Toronto-based awards program recognizes and promotes business excellence in small and medium-sized businesses across North America, as selected by consumers.ÂThe Future of Food Conference 2026
Ontario Federation of Agriculture Feb. 10, Rogers Centre Ottawa Hosted by Farm Credit Canada, leaders in the agriculture and food industry will mark Canada’s Agriculture Day to dig into how they can shape the future of the industry.ÂNational Indigenous Defence Conference
OneHoop Feb. 26, The Westin Ottawa The conference brings together Indigenous leaders, government representatives, industry partners and defence stakeholders from across the country to discuss and highlight Indigenous leadership and opportunities in the defence sector.ÂFederation Of Law Societies Of Canada – Spring Business Meetings
March 1–3, Fairmont Chateau Laurier The organization represents 14 law societies mandated by the provinces and territories to regulate the country’s legal profession. Representatives will meet in Ottawa for sessions and a meeting of its federation council. Other upcoming events:Â- Capital Wedding Show – Jan. 24–25
- Syngenta Meeting 2026 – Jan. 25–29
- Canadian Nutrition Society – Feb. 4
- Cree School Board, Higher Learning, Building Capacity Conference 2026 – Feb. 20–22
- CUPE National All Committee Meeting 2026 – Feb. 22–26
- RBC Global Asset Management, Investment Forum (Ottawa) 2026 – March 23–24
