News Around Town – January 2026

MPI Ottawa Member News

Welcome to our new members. We can’t wait to see you at our next in-person or virtual event and welcome you to the MPI Ottawa community!

• Brian Hope, Director of Sales - Delta Hotels by Marriott Kingston Waterfront
• Cole Gammage, Algonquin College
• Daria Bolshakova, Meeting Specialist – Canadian Medical Association
• Joan Probert, Director of Conferences & Education - National Golf Course Owners Association
• Kylie Hailstone, Senior Sales Manager - Thee Farm Event & Wellness Centre

MPI Ottawa Volunteers Help to Spread Holiday Cheer

Once again, MPI Ottawa was thrilled to team up with the amazing Kiwanis Holiday Hamper Delivery crew to help make sure the tables of families in our community were full and spirits were bright this Christmas.

Holiday hampers of turkeys and gift cards were given to 400 families (1,239 people total).

Partnership Opportunities

Start 2026 strong by partnering with MPI Ottawa! Our Annual Partnerships put your brand in the spotlight all year—at galas, fundraisers, educational sessions, and more. 💡 Ready to elevate your brand? Check out our prospectus here: 2026-mpi-ottawa-chapter-partner-prospectus.pdf and email partnerships@mpiottawa.ca

Need to Renew your Membership?
Join MPI or renew your membership today and find out more at:  www.mpi.org/join
For questions or further assistance, please contact help@mpi.org or call 866.318.2743. 

Apply for a Foundation scholarship: https://www.mpi.org/about/foundation

Industry News in General

Winterlude 2026
This year, experience Winterlude across the Ottawa-Gatineau region at Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park (North Section) just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau.
Learn More

Photo Credit: Marion Berube/Radio-Canada
Ontario unveils first look at revived Northlander passenger train
The Ontario government unveiled the first of three new Northlander passenger trains Thursday, offering the clearest sign yet that the long-promised return of rail service between northern Ontario and Toronto is approaching.
Read More

Reflections, Revelations & What's Worth It
In this episode, we gather in the recording booth to take a look back at the big trends we predicted for 2025—and an honest conversation about whether they actually happened.
Listen to Ignite Your Events latest podcast here!

Likes, Comments and Leadership: Julius Solaris on Facing the Noise and Leading Boldly
Julius Solaris, founder of ‘Boldpush’, joins host Courtney Stanley for an honest, vulnerable and perspective-shifting conversation about what it really means to lead in the spotlight.
Listen to the latest episode of Dare to Interrupt here!

Upcoming MPI Ottawa Events

📅 Feb 26, 2026 – 2:00PM – 4:00PM – Rogers Centre Ottawa
MPI Ottawa Chapter Roundtables

Join us for hot-topic roundtables, each guided by stellar facilitators and respected leaders from across our meetings and events community. These sessions are designed to spark frank, honest discussions—the kind where we learn from the best, and most importantly, learn from each other.

Learn More

📅 Feb 26, 2026 – 5:00PM – 10:00PM – Rogers Centre Ottawa
2026 Charity Auction & Dinner

The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction 2026 brings together community leaders, event professionals, and generous supporters for A Night of Celebration & Impact.
Learn More

📅 May 5, 2026 – 11:30AM – 2:00PM – Location TBC
Global Meetings Industry Day – MPI Ottawa Chapter

Save the date and join MPI Ottawa for an inspiring celebration of the power of meetings and events at Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on May 5.
Learn More

Upcoming Industry Events

📅 Feb 22 to 26, 2026 – Multiple Venues

2026 Ottawa Meet Week

Ottawa Meet Week is a collaborative annual event for Canada's business events industry, bringing together associations like CSAE, MPI, and Destination Canada for a few days of focused networking, education, and relationship-building. [ED Note: MPI Foundation Canada Council also returns with LOL 5.0 Feb 25 8PM]

Visit the official website to stay up to date! https://ottawameetweek.ca/

📅 Jun 2 - 4, 2026 – San Antonio
MPI World Education Congress (WEC) 2026

This year’s WEC education is curated through five festival-inspired tracks:

People, Passion, Pride, Promise, +Party. Explore sessions on leadership, creativity, industry excellence, innovation, and celebration—each designed to energize, inspire, and activate you.
Learn More

📅 Sept 14 - 16, 2026 – Vancouver, BC
theEVENT MPI – Naturally What’s Next

Each year, theEVENT brings together event innovators - planners, organizers, partners and suppliers - to explore the future of events through creativity, community, and education.

And this year, for the first time, it's heading west. Almost as far west in Canada as it can go: Vancouver.

Learn More

 Article edited by: Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services