The Metro Toronto Convention Center (MTCC) recently won the Ontario Sustainable Tourism Award during the 2012 Ontario Tourism Summit held Oct. 21-24 in London, Ontario.
The summit and ceremony were hosted in partnership by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance and included awards for excellence in advertising, marketing, culinary tourism and sustainability.
The award is the culmination of the MTCC’s commitment to helping Ontario remain a thriving, healthy and economically sustainable province and was secured by a combination of the MTCC’s sustainability initiatives and the recently launched local food program. The endeavors resulted in a record-breaking diversion rate of 88 percent for the past fiscal year, three times the number of green meetings and a purchasing rate of 50 percent locally sourced food for 2011 – which equals about $1.8 million directed back into local farms and the economy.
“The award is an immense honor,” said Barry Smith, president and CEO, MTCC. “We continue to be a leader in sustainability and providing clients with a facility that allows a range of green options so they can contribute to the greening of our planet. We also offer a local food program, and we’re still gaining momentum. To receive recognition for what we already have accomplished is an indication that buying Ontario products is the right decision.”
The MTCC’s efforts also gained recognition from Canada’s national government.
“The McGuinty government congratulates the Metro Toronto Convention Center on its continued record of success,” said Michael Chan, minister of tourism, culture and sport. “This award recognizes the convention center for its strong leadership role in Toronto and Ontario tourism and for exceeding the expectations of visitors to Toronto, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.”
The MTCC is Canada’s top convention and tradeshow facility. Over the past 27 years, the center has hosted approximately 15,000 events, entertained more than 40 million guests and added $4.7 billion in direct economic impact to the community.
