WEBCON Blog
Why Niagara?
By now you've likely heard that we're relocating the conference to Niagara Falls.
What we haven't told you, is why.
We've been asked the question, "Why are you moving WEBCON to Niagara?" so we want to share with you our thought process and reasoning behind our (BIG!) move.
After years of growing the event, listening to feedback from attendees and sponsors and studying the trends in the US, we came to the conclusion that a new direction wasn't just wanted, but needed. Let's face it, five years in the same place is a long time!
You've been telling us that you want better access to entertainment and activities in and around the event. We've been listening and now, we're ready to act.
So, where to go? This wasn't an easy decision and we certainly did lots of research.
When we studied the US conference market, we found that many of the major conferences are held in destination cities. San Francisco, Napa Valley, San Diego, Las Vegas, Orlando, etc. Rarely is there an event in Wichita! That's not to say there's anything wrong with Wichita, it's more a case of, who wants to go there?
Downtown Toronto was an easy suggestion and certainly a strong consideration. However, when we polled past attendees, it was evident that downtown Toronto was not a preferred destination. Not to mention that venue, hotel and food costs would have pushed ticket prices and overall spends to levels that would have been undesirable for us as hosts, and especially for you, the attendees.
We thought long and hard about the best destination to choose. In the end, we realized we didn't need to look any further than our own backyard.
Niagara offers opportunities in spades! Top quality golf courses, world renowned wineries and a rich culture and history to explore are only a few of the fantastic opportunities we have available here. For those who are a little more adventurous, consider a helicopter ride over the falls, indoor skydiving or a walk behind the falls! As for nightlife, this is where Niagara really shines! With multiple clubs, lounges and casinos, you can get your dance on, enjoy a friendly drink or try your luck- all within walking distance of each other. As a 2016 WEBCON attendee, you'll have no shortage of things to do during your stay in the Niagara Region.
We're also excited to make our new home the brand new Scotiabank Convention Centre! As a state-of-the-art, modern centre that offers unique, eco-friendly space and services, it will allow us to grow and innovate without limitations. With our serious venue upgrade, we can now offer more streams of content then ever before. From our stellar keynote series to hands-on "how to" workshops to brainstorming/think tank sessions, WEBCON 2016 will offer more depth and greater takeaways than any of our events to date.
2016 will mark our 6th WEBCON and we'll be bringing you a lineup of speakers you absolutely can't miss, including an incredible keynote, Scott Stratten, author of Unmarketing. We're also welcoming back Bruce Croxon, star of the The Disruptors as our second (surprise!) keynote.
We can't wait to see you in May in Niagara!
Interested in speaking at WEBCON 2016 or leading a workshop or brainstorming session? Contact us to submit your topic and session proposal- we'd love to have you!