Yep, you read right. The team behind the Web Summit have decided to make Toronto the new home for the globally recognized Collision Conf.
Now in its 5th year, the fastest growing tech conference in North America will be held at the Enercare Centre, Canada’s largest exhibition and convention facility with over 1 million square feet of exhibit space (currently the seventh largest facility in North America) and will take place from May 20-23, 2019.
So why is Collision Conf moving from New Orleans to Toronto?
Founder Paddy Cosgrave notes that cross-border politics has played a role in the change for issues with granting vias to certain startups. “A new wave of Canadian founders are building companies not just out of Canada but all over the world. At the very moment when some countries around the world seem to be shutting their borders, when intolerance is on the rise, Toronto stands for diversity and inclusion. It’s true that some international tech entrepreneurs have been denied visas to attend Collision in New Orleans in recent years. At the same time, Canada now fast-tracks international work visas.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is fully on board with the announcement and had a few words of excitement to share of his own, praising Canada’s growing tech industry, primarily right here in Toronto.
“Welcome to Canada, Collision. I’m happy you chose Toronto to host North America’s fastest growing tech conference for the next three years but I have to say I’m not completely surprised. Toronto is a key global tech hub and an example of the diversity that is our strength. Here in Canada, we know innovation and inclusion go together and the rest of the world has taken notice.
“Tech talent is coming to our country in record numbers and with our skills and innovation plan our government is making it easier for innovators to succeed and for investors to support them. Whether it’s thanks to the global skills strategy, the innovation superclusters or the women entrepreneurship strategy, we know Collision will bring even more energy and vision to Toronto’s tech scene.”
Created by the team behind Web Summit, the world’s largest and most influential tech event, Collision Conf attracts CEOs of the world’s largest companies, founders of the most exciting startups, leading investors and media, from more than 120 countries.
After looking at various locations in several North American cities to support future growth and provide attendees with the best possible experience, Toronto was finally selected. The 6ix and is home to one of the most vibrant tech and startup sectors in North America, with a world-class AI hub headed by the godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton. Not to mention its global hub status that boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and conference facilities.
About Collision
Collision Conf is the fastest growing tech conference in North America. Now in its fifth year, Collision has gone from 5,000 to an expected 25,000 attendees in 2018. Created by the team behind Web Summit, the world’s largest and most influential tech event, Collision attracts CEOs of the world’s largest companies, founders of the most exciting startups, leading investors and media from more than 120 countries.
