This month the Rogers Centre Ottawa proudly celebrates 15 years since opening in 2011, marking a milestone defined by adaptability and a lasting commitment to bringing people together in the heart of Canada’s capital.
What began as a bold redevelopment of the former Ottawa Congress Centre has evolved into Canada’s Meeting Place, a versatile, downtown venue that continues to host national and international gatherings spanning business, culture, sport, and community life.
A Landmark Built for the Future
Purpose‑built to elevate Ottawa’s position as a premier meetings destination, the Rogers Centre Ottawa offers 192,000 square feet of flexible event space across four levels, with panoramic views of the Rideau Canal and downtown skyline.
Since opening, the Centre has hosted thousands of conventions, conferences, trade shows, and public events, supporting Ottawa’s tourism economy while adapting to the evolving needs of planners and attendees.
Fifteen Years of Defining Events
Over the past decade and a half, the Rogers Centre Ottawa has welcomed a diverse range of signature events and high‑profile conferences, many of which have become recurring fixtures on the city’s event calendar.
The Centre has served as the host venue for major professional, public‑sector, and industry gatherings, including:
- 2025 Scotdace Canada Championship Series
- 2024 International Indigenous Tourism Conference
- 2024 INC-4 – The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4).
- 8th Annual Cyber Future Summit 2023
- IEEE Sections Congress 2023
- International Association of Fire Fighters 56th Conference 2022
These conferences highlight the Centre’s ability to host complex, multi‑day events that combine plenaries, breakouts, exhibitions, and networking at scale. Visit our blog, highlights from the first ten-years, to see a list of more events we’ve hosted since opening.
In addition to conferences, the Rogers Centre Ottawa has become a vibrant destination for cultural and public events, including various fundraising galas, consumer shows, career fairs and recruitment events serving thousands of job seekers within the nation’s capital.
Expanding the Definition of Events
A defining moment in the Centre’s history came when it reimagined its largest spaces to host an international sporting competition.
In 2020, the venue was transformed to host the Pan‑American Olympic Qualification Tournament and Senior Pan‑American Wrestling Championships, converting Canada Hall into a competition arena and adjacent spaces into athlete warm‑up and operational zones. The successful execution demonstrated the Centre’s flexibility and operational expertise in supporting non‑traditional event formats. This milestone helped expand what is possible within a convention centre environment.
Photo Credit: Wresting Canada Lutte
A New Name, a Continued Legacy
In 2024, the venue entered a new chapter when it was rebranded as the Rogers Centre Ottawa, reflecting a forward‑looking partnership focused on innovation, connectivity, and long‑term growth.
While the name evolved, the Centre’s vision remained unchanged: an inspired team delivering exceptional events.
Supporting Ottawa’s Economy and Community
Through its events, partnerships, and downtown location, the Rogers Centre Ottawa continues to play a vital role in Ottawa’s business tourism ecosystem, supporting hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local suppliers while strengthening ties with community and business organizations.
Its proximity to Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, major hotels, and transit makes it a natural hub for events that want to experience the best of Canada’s Capital.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
As it celebrates 15 years, the Rogers Centre Ottawa remains focused on the future. With a strong slate of upcoming conferences, public events, and cultural gatherings already on the calendar, the Centre continues to invest in flexibility, sustainability, and guest experience.
Fifteen years in, the Rogers Centre Ottawa is not slowing down, it’s building momentum for the next generation of gatherings.
Thank You for 15 Remarkable Years
This milestone belongs to everyone who has helped shape the Rogers Centre Ottawa over the past 15 years: clients, delegates, partners, community organizations, and of course the dedicated staff delivering the event experience.
As Canada’s Meeting Place looks ahead, it does so with pride in what has been achieved, and excitement for the connections, conversations, and defining moments still to come.
