Toronto hosts annual Microsoft conference

The City of Toronto has been crowned host for the 2012 Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft Corp. announced. 

The annual conference is expected to bring in more than 15,000 people, representing technology companies from 130 countries. 

Tourism Toronto calls this a major accomplishment for the city, estimating that economic activity will increase by roughly $52million. 

“Toronto Pearson is excited to be the first point of contact for the attendees of this conference. I congratulate the City of Toronto and Tourism Toronto for their efforts to secure this significant event,” Pamela Griffith-Jones, GTAA Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, said. 

Pamela Griffith-Jones said event planners choose Toronto for its remarkable ability to hold world class events and because its airport has the capacity to serve as a global hub, connecting the world to the city.   

“We are confident this will prove to be the most inspiring and technically advanced Worldwide Partner Conference ever for Microsoft, and will highlight our ability to come together as a tourism community to host large and sophisticated global corporate events," David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto, said in a press release. 

Tourism Toronto has announced plans to develop a scholarship program designed to assist international students participating in the worldwide conference. The association also hopes to provide opportunities to Ontario students enrolled in tourism or hospitality programs.  

Primary events will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre, but over 500 other events will take place across the GTA during the four-day event.

Toronto is considered a desirable destination for important meetings, ranked number one out of 46 North American cities in several categories by Watkins Research.