Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is Canada’s premier international tourism marketplace. This year’s event took place at the brand-new Halifax Convention Centre from May 13-16, and surprised and delighted delegates from around the world.
Hosting RVC 2018 was an incredible business opportunity for Nova Scotia. It put the international tourism industry’s spotlight on Nova Scotia for four days, and allowed us to showcase what makes our province a must-see destination to travel buyers from around the world.
Here are a few highlights from RVC 2018.
RVC 2018 broke previous attendance records, indicating that global interest in Canada is on the rise. Thanks to strong attendance, Nova Scotia received more travel trade exposure than any other host destination in the event's 42-year history.
About 400 event delegates participated in a Halifax day tour. Around 120 travel trade and media went on a familiarization tour. These tours were a great way to get travel buyers and influencers talking about our destination, and recommending Nova Scotia to their clients.
This event alone generated more than $4 million in direct spending for Nova Scotia. Over the long-term, we expect more Nova Scotia vacations to be sold by tour operators and travel agents around the world as a result of RVC 2018.
Tourism Nova Scotia and 19 travel trade-ready partners represented Nova Scotia at this event, our largest RVC delegation ever!
Every year, RVC includes a night that celebrates what makes the host destination unique. Typically, this night is only organized by the host destination, but we invited the other Atlantic provinces to participate. This provided our region a chance to showcase amazing food, beverages, and entertainment from each East Coast province.
During RVC 2018’s Atlantic Canada Night, appetizers featuring local ingredients from each province were served, followed by a lobster dinner and blueberry pie. The night was designed to feel like an East Coast kitchen party, with the Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse, acting as emcee and lobster connoisseur.
Atlantic Canada Night’s cultural and musical performances included Mi’kmaq and African drumming, Celtic pipers and dancers, Jimmy Rankin (of Nova Scotia), Second Nation (a seven-piece music and dance feature sponsored by Experience Acadie), Gordon MacKeenan (a fiddler from PEI), a fiddle medley with fiddlers from all four provinces, Measha Brueggergosman (a celebrated Canadian Soprano from New Brunswick), and Rum Ragged (a band from Newfoundland).
We were fortunate to have about 200 Nova Scotians take time to help set up RVC, organize welcome packages, assist with way-finding, and—overall—create an amazing delegate experience. Thank you to everyone who helped us prove just how friendly Nova Scotians are!
In addition to strong engagement on our corporate Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. We received feedback like this:
“A special thank you from us to all your welcoming and friendly volunteers! Great job guys!!!!” – @VikingTrail
“I’m so impressed with #RVC2018 Special thanks to exhibitors, visitors, staff & volunteers. #Halifax looks so great today!! Celebrate it. #BeBold – at Nova Centre” – @matlantivex
“Absolutely amazing Atlantic Canada Night here in @hfxnovascotia with @TourismNS & @Rendez_VousCAN! All great acts from all 4 provinces and a special standing ovation for the young dancers in this vid!!!! #RVC2018” – @AndreMyers
“A huge congrats to Tourism Nova Scotia and all the partmers involved in Atlantic Canada Night for #RVC2018. What an event to showcase our region. No one is going to forget tonight. Good luck Toronto to top this.” – @TayMac_Tours
“Well they don't do this at WTM! Rendezvous Canada pulling out all the stops for its biggest ever event in the new Halifax Convention Centre, including loads of local volunteers who come to help out and support tourism #RVC2018” – @katie_mcgonagle
The Nova Scotia area at RVC received a special visit from the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and her staff. Also present were the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board; the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia; Mike Savage, Mayor of Halifax; and Hugh McKay, MLA for Chester-St. Margaret’s. We were later joined by staff from Nova Scotia’s Department of Business. Thank you for recognizing the importance of tourism in Nova Scotia!
Tourism Nova Scotia would like to extend our gratitude to our funding partners: the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism, and Discover Halifax. Thank you for your generous contributions and support in making this the best RVC ever!
See more photos from RVC 2018, the travel trade event of the year.