Victoria’s largest conference spot, the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC), closed out 2024 on a high note, setting the stage a stellar 2025.
With a near-record number of city-wide conferences already on the calendar, the VCC continues to be a major economic driver for the region.
According to Destination Greater Victoria, last year, the VCC hosted an impressive 147 events. Among these were 65 large-scale conferences, including 20 city-wide gatherings. Altogether, these events brought in over 94,000 delegate days—a 12% jump from the year before—and 25,300 room nights, which was up by 10%.
This activity translated into $31.1 million in business sales and supported more than 10,000 jobs across Greater Victoria, according to Destination Greater Victoria.
“These numbers tell a bigger story about how conferences and events create ripple effects throughout our community,” said Destination Greater Victoria’s CEO, Paul Nursey. “They fuel small businesses, drive tourism, and bring a vibrancy to the region that benefits everyone.”
In 20204, the VCC became North America’s second Biosphere-certified conference centre.
A new 360-degree virtual tool was launched, giving potential clients an interactive way to explore the venue’s meeting spaces, sustainability features, and Indigenous elements. The VCC also earned the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification and published its own Sustainability Events Guide, further emphasizing its push for eco-friendly and inclusive event planning.
With the momentum from last year, 2025 is already shaping up to be a banner year, according to Destination Greater Victoria. Over 100 events are confirmed, including a record 30 city-wide conferences—the most since the pandemic.
These large-scale gatherings, which require the use of multiple venues and services across the city, are expected to generate $37.5 million in business sales and almost $7 million in taxes. They will also support about 9,000 jobs, directly or indirectly.
On average, each city-wide conference brings in $1.25 million in business sales.
These events don’t just benefit hotels and the conference centre; they drive traffic to local restaurants, shops, and attractions. And since delegates often extend their stay or return as tourists, the benefits stretch well beyond the conference itself.
“Business events are the backbone of our visitor economy,” Nursey explained. “Delegates stay longer, spend more, and help fill the quieter seasons. Plus, they book well in advance, which gives local businesses a sense of stability.”
