What The International Centre does

The International Centre operates as a privately owned trade show, consumer show, and conference facility located at 6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario. Founded in 1972 and expanded to approximately 548,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space plus a 48,000 sq. ft. Conference Centre, the venue hosts over 500 events annually and welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors per year. Core infrastructure includes six flexible exhibit halls, a conference centre with permanent AV systems and in-ceiling rigging, LED HD digital signage at seven key entrance and exit locations, complimentary Wi-Fi, interactive touchscreen wayfinding, EV charging via Hypercharge, and complimentary parking with 55 accessible spaces.

The venue's revenue model is built on five streams: venue space rental (quote-based, not publicly priced), on-site food and beverage catering led by an award-winning culinary team under Executive Chef Sushil Pansare, advertising on LED digital screens and website listings, event technology and AV services delivered through exclusive partner Encore Canada, and parking services through exclusive provider Carraway. Distribution is conducted via direct sales (website booking enquiry, phone, email), a curated network of preferred service contractors including GES, Freeman, and Stronco, and industry association memberships (CAEM, CSAE, MPI, Tourism Toronto, Mississauga Board of Trade).

The International Centre is owned by a group of private investors who acquired the site from DeHavilland in 1971, with no institutional, PE, or VC backing disclosed. The company is incorporated in Ontario, Canada, has 51-100 employees, and operates as an independent, privately-held corporation with no subsidiaries or parent company. There are no publicly disclosed funding rounds or revenue figures.

Name

The International Centre

Legal name

The International Centre

Website

https://internationalcentre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Centre is a privately owned Canadian trade show, consumer show, and conference venue in Mississauga, Ontario, hosting 500+ events annually across 548,000+ sq. ft. for event organizers, exhibitors, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention and Exhibition Facilities

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

Keywords

• Event venue rental
• Trade show facilities
• Conference center services
• Exhibition hall rental
• Event catering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Venue Space Rental: Primary revenue from renting exhibition halls and conference spaces to event organizers. Spaces include Exhibit Halls (starting at 30,000 sq. ft.), a 48,000 sq.ft. Conference Centre with flexible meeting rooms, and the Orion Ballroom.
2. Food and Beverage Services: On-site catering and culinary services provided by an award-winning culinary team led by Executive Chef Sushil Pansare. Includes Craft Eatery restaurant and permanent food areas in Halls 1, 2, and 5.
3. Advertising and Digital Signage: Revenue from advertising on LED HD Digital Screens and website listings. Over 1.5 million annual visitors provide advertising exposure opportunity.
4. Parking Services: Complimentary parking for visitors, with paid parking services through exclusive provider Carraway for some events.
5. Event Technology Services: Audio-visual equipment rental, rigging services, and technology solutions provided through exclusive provider Encore Canada.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The International Centre rents exhibition halls, conference meeting rooms, and event spaces to event organizers and corporations across the Greater Toronto Area. It supports each booking with on-site catering by an in-house culinary team, AV and rigging services via exclusive partner Encore Canada, complimentary Wi-Fi, parking, and LED digital signage for advertising. The venue hosts over 500 trade shows, consumer shows, conferences, seminars, corporate meetings, festivals, and special events annually.

Product overview

The International Centre operates as a unified venue-and-services platform, offering exhibition halls, a conference centre, catering, and technology amenities as an integrated package for event organizers. The core offering consists of six flexible Exhibition Halls (Halls 1-6) providing 548,000+ sq. ft. of contiguous exhibition space suitable for events ranging from small meetings to large trade shows. The 48,000 sq.ft. Conference Centre provides meeting rooms and event spaces with permanent AV equipment. Food and Beverage services, including on-site catering by Executive Chef Sushil Pansare and the Craft Eatery restaurant, are integrated into the venue offering. Technology amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, LED digital advertising screens, and EV charging stations round out the integrated venue experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibition Halls (Halls 1-6) Flexible, contiguous exhibition spaces ranging from 30,000 sq. ft. to 548,000+ total sq. ft. across six halls, used by event organizers for trade shows, consumer exhibitions, and large-scale shows.
• Conference Centre 48,000 sq. ft. Conference Centre with meeting rooms, seminar spaces, and reception areas equipped with permanent screens, projectors, sound systems, and in-ceiling rigging for lighting.
• Event Hosting Services Full-service event hosting for trade shows, consumer shows, conferences, seminars, corporate meetings, festivals, and special events, with over 500 events hosted annually.
• Food and Beverage Catering Award-winning on-site catering led by Executive Chef Sushil Pansare, offering personalized menus featuring locally sourced ingredients for events of all sizes at the venue.
• Craft Eatery Restaurant Permanent on-site restaurant adjacent to Hall 1 offering made-to-order cuisine, daily specials, and cooked-to-order meals in a modern lounge setting with complimentary Wi-Fi.
• LED HD Digital Advertising Screens Sellable advertising placements on 7 large-format LED HD digital signs positioned at key entrance and exit locations throughout the venue, exposing campaigns to over 1.5 million annual visitors.
• Audio/Video/Rigging Services Audio-visual equipment, staging, rigging, and production services for events delivered through exclusive in-house provider Encore Canada, including virtual events, webcasting, simultaneous interpretation, lighting, and networking.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Food Banks CanadaminorOthers · 14 May 2024The International Centre participated in Food Banks Canada's After The Bell Program on May 14, 2024. The team hosted a large-scale packing event in Hall 2 to help address summer food insecurity among children. The partnership demonstrates corporate social responsibility and community engagement.
• Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM)minorOthersIndustry association membership for exposition management professionals.
• Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE)minorOthersIndustry association membership for association executives.
• Meeting Professionals International Toronto (MPI)minorOthersIndustry association membership for meeting and event professionals.
• Tourism TorontominorOthersTourism partnership for promoting Toronto and Mississauga as event destinations.
• Mississauga Board of TrademinorOthersLocal business association membership supporting Mississauga business community.
• Encore CanadacoreTechnology or IntegrationEncore Canada is the exclusive in-house provider of audio-visual equipment, staging, creative and production services. They provide virtual events, webcasting, simultaneous interpretation, audience response systems, computer & networking services, lighting services, and creative room environments at The International Centre.
• GES - Global Experience SpecialistscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGES is Canada's only national service contractor for special events, tradeshows, conventions, and consumer shows. They provide complete decorating services, custom exhibits, rental furniture, accessories, carpets, signage, material handling, logistics, and customs clearance services.
• FreemancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld's leading brand experience company providing strategy, creative, logistics, and digital services for live experiences. Freeman Toronto serves the International Centre market.
• StroncocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest Canadian owned and operated full service contractor providing custom and rental exhibits, furnishings, labour, signage, creative design, transportation, and customs brokerage services. Recognized as one of the preferred contractors at The International Centre.
• Conexsys RegistrationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides customized registration solutions for conferences, trade and consumer shows, including online registration for attendees, exhibitors, badge printing, attendance tracking, session accreditation, exhibitor lead retrieval, and mobile services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Palais des congrès de Montréal: Major Canadian convention and exhibition centre in Montréal. Directly comparable product offering (large exhibition halls plus conference space) and a primary national alternative when event organizers weigh Canadian venue options.
• Calgary TELUS Convention Centre: Calgary's principal convention and exhibition venue with exhibition halls and meeting space. Comparable in product mix (trade shows, conferences, consumer events) and competes for major Canadian event bookings outside Ontario.
• Metro Toronto Convention Centre: Direct GTA competitor operating two convention facilities (North and South) in downtown Toronto. Publicly owned and the principal head-to-head alternative for trade shows, consumer shows, and conferences that The International Centre competes for in the Toronto market.
• Edmonton Convention Centre (Edmonton EXPO Centre): Edmonton's principal exhibition and conference venue. Comparable in scale, trade/consumer show orientation, and Canadian market positioning, and competes with The International Centre for large national touring events.
• Vancouver Convention Centre: Owned and operated by BC Pavilion Corporation, this waterfront convention centre hosts trade shows, consumer shows, and conferences on Canada's West Coast. Comparable scale and mixed trade/consumer orientation, serving as a national alternative to The International Centre.
• Enercare Centre (Exhibition Place): Toronto Exhibition Place's principal exhibition and conference facility, offering 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space. Direct competitor for large-scale trade and consumer shows in the GTA, with the additional advantage of being on the Toronto Exhibition Place grounds.
• Toronto Congress Centre: Privately operated convention and trade show facility in the GTA offering large exhibit halls and meeting space. The most direct privately owned comparable venue in the same metro, competing head-to-head for the same trade and consumer show organizers.
• Ottawa Convention Centre (Shaw Centre): Government-owned convention facility in Ottawa hosting trade shows, association conferences, and government events. Similar product offering in another Canadian major market, with strong association-event focus paralleling The International Centre's business.

Broad incumbents

• ASM Global: World's largest venue and event management company, operating hundreds of convention centres, arenas, and stadiums globally. Sets the operating standards, technology stack, and corporate-event competition that The International Centre must match in the GTA.

Others

• Freeman (Freeman Toronto): World's leading brand experience and event logistics company, official contractor at The International Centre. Adjacent ecosystem participant—supplies the decorating, logistics, and AV support that the venue resells to its event organizers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICpresents
• Facebookfacebook.com/TorontoInternationalCentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Centre