The medtech industry thrives on connection, collaboration and innovation—and those are best fostered face-to-face, according to Leslie Hinton, associate VP, conferences & events for AdvaMed, who brought the MedTech Conference 2024 to Toronto.

"Our conference provides a critical platform for cross-border regulatory discussions, investor-startup matchmaking and hands-on demonstrations of life-saving technology," Hinton says. "In a space where trust and partnerships are essential, in-person engagement drives deeper conversations and more impactful collaborations than virtual formats ever could."

The MedTech Conference 2024 was the most successful to date, attracting 4,300 attendees from more than 40 countries—a 41% increase from the previous year, according to Hinton.

"Programming included more than 300 sessions across tracks such as global market access, regulatory strategy and health equity," she says. "We also debuted our ‘MedTech in Motion’ tech hub, which gave attendees a hands-on look at cutting-edge medical technologies."

NEW PERSPECTIVES

The Toronto event was the first-ever MedTech Conference hosted outside the U.S., which Hinton says meant navigating new legal, operational and logistical considerations.

"We also had to build new partnerships on the ground, adapt to unfamiliar venues and vendor systems and promote our event to a global audience," she says. "But thanks to incredible collaboration with our Canadian partners, especially Destination Toronto, we overcame those hurdles and delivered an event that surpassed all expectations."

The international setting of the 2024 conference created a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

"We featured globally recognized speakers like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who brought powerful stories of resilience and global appeal," she says. "Our MedTech Partnering system enabled more than 2,500 one-on-one meetings, and the Global Market Access Seminar offered new perspectives on healthcare innovation."

Hinton says one of the most powerful sessions at the conference was "Beating the Odds: Connor Fitzpatrick’s Path to Paris 2024," which highlighted the real-world, life-changing impact of medical technology.

"Canadian Olympian Connor Fitzpatrick shared how a cardiac procedure using Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s CARTO 3 System enabled him to return to elite competition after a life-threatening condition," she says. "His story reminded everyone in the room why we do this work."

BREAKING RECORDS

The success of the MedTech Conference is viewed through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators.

"Attendance, revenue and exhibit sales all broke previous records, with exhibit space increasing by 19% and sponsorships up 64%," Hinton says. "Post-event surveys told an equally strong story: 92% of international attendees found new business opportunities. But beyond numbers, we measure success in the long-term collaborations and innovations that are sparked onsite."

Toronto’s selection as host destination made sense because it’s an international hub for innovation, healthcare and life sciences, Hinton says, making it "a natural fit for the conference’s first venture outside the U.S."

"The Metro Toronto Convention Centre offered state-of-the-art infrastructure, and its location in the heart of the city made it easy for attendees to access hotels, dining and attractions," she says. "The city’s diverse, globally connected community created an ideal backdrop for international collaboration and knowledge exchange. We’ve already committed to returning in 2029."

Toronto recently added several new hotels and event spaces—the Union Hotel; Imperial Toronto, located within a decommissioned, gothic-style church; and Hotel X Toronto, the first Canadian property from the new Hyatt brand.

"Toronto embraces everything and everyone with full enthusiasm," says Kathy Tavares, sales director for Destination Toronto. "With a unique blend of international influence and localized talent, team Toronto will open doors, make connections and inspire innovation at every step of the planning process."

Join MPI in Fredericton!

MPI is excited to welcome the meeting industry to the gorgeous riverside city Fredericton, New Brunswick, in September 2025 for theEVENT, a crucial touchpoint for MPI’s Canadian community and beyond.

The sixth edition of the EVENT in 2024—the first time it’s been officially incorporated into MPI’s signature events portfolio—attracted more than 300 attendees, including over 100 planners.

Kevin Johnston (MPI Ottawa Chapter), meetings and conventions specialist for the City of Fredericton, says the city’s compact downtown means you can walk from conference-ready accommodations to the Fredericton Convention Centre and downtown restaurants, pubs and shops.

"The Fredericton International Airport is only 15 minutes from the heart of downtown and has excellent capacity in a recently renovated and expanded facility," he says. "We are the perfect-sized city with the facilities planners need but are small enough that delegates are noticed and welcomed by locals."

Fredericton also features more than 120 kilometers of walking trails, numerous coffee roasters and a claim to the title of "Atlantic Canada’s brewing capital," Johnston says, noting that planners always comment on how well the industry team works together.

"We often say that ‘a call to one of us is a call to all of us,’ as we collaborate to ensure each event gets the best options for meeting space, accommodations and offsite experiences," he says. "There are always new ways to experience Fredericton."

An active local committee is working hard to roll out the red carpet for attendees of the EVENT, Johnston says.

"Delegates will be entertained like nowhere else and have opportunities to experience the best Fredericton has to offer!" he says.