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Innovative e-commerce in the heart of Canada 

Innovative e-commerce in the heart of Canada 

Winnipeg’s progressive e-commerce scene captivates domestic and international ICT companies seeking a dynamic host destination for events and conferences. 

It’s always been the geographical center of Canada, but now the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is fast becoming the country’s epicenter for information and communication technologies (ICT), with innovative e-commerce businesses producing advanced technologies that shape and transform our everyday lives. 

With a growing hamlet of ICT companies, from leading-edge start-ups to large corporations serving international clients, Winnipeg’s buzzing ICT scene and world-class conference centersicons.external-link-icon create the ideal ambience for inspiring business meetings and experiential conferencesicons.external-link-icon that enrich attending delegates and contribute to the evolution of this critical global sector. 

 

Software as a service 

E-commerce systems are big business in Winnipeg, with the ICT sector generating a cool $1.9 billion in GDP in 2018. Some of Canada’s fastest-growing ITC companies are based here, attracted by the city’s deep talent pool, central location and stable, collaborative economy.  

“Considering there are around 1300 ICT companies based in Winnipeg, it’s little wonder Manitoba boasts the second highest productivity levels of any province in Canada,” says Dayna Spiring, President and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg. “This is one of the least expensive cities in which to operate a tech company and an affordable place for potential employees to call home.” 

Food delivery trailblazers, SkipTheDishes, has been a feather in the ecommerce cap of Winnipeg since its inception more than eight years ago, growing from a start-up to now operating in 250 Canadian cities and towns with more than 3,500 employees in Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Toronto.  

The success of SkipTheDishes encouraged the growth of the city’s tech sector in the heart of the city, with start-ups like Bold Commerce and global tech players like Ubisoft following suit.  

Named one of North America’s fastest-growing companies by Deloitte, Bold Commerce has grown from four co-founders in 2012, to more than 400 employees today. The company provides innovative e-commerce technology solutions to 90,000+ brands around the globe. Bold has also been named to E&Y's Entrepreneur of the Year and CBInsights' Retail Tech 100. 

“ There’s a great community here with a shared passion for growing Winnipeg and putting it on the map as a tech hub — if one of us succeeds, we all succeed. We're so proud to be building this company in Winnipeg. The future has never been brighter for tech companies in the province”. says Yvan Boisjoli, Co-Founder & CEO Bold Commerce. 

Winnipeg lures global players  

Winnipeg’s flourishing international profile as a serious player in the world of tech makes it the optimal host destinationicons.external-link-icon for ICT companies’ business meetings, events and conferences.  

“Winnipeg is enticing tech companies of all shapes and sizes for events that are both informative and immersive, with event organisers easily sourcing speakers from the enormous number of talented experts who reside here,” says Natalie Thiesen, Vice President of Tourism for Tourism Winnipeg. 

“The city’s remarkable knowledge economy provides an added dimension to any business event, with experts often providing facility tours designed to enrich the conference experience.” 

Polar bears and butterflies 

Winnipeg’s surprising off-site venuesicons.external-link-icon, world-class attractions, eclectic arts and culinary scene, and rich cultural offerings add colour and intrigue to conference schedules, such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery’sicons.external-link-icon Inuit Art Gallery, designed with the Canadian Arctic in mind (minus the freezing temps!).  

“Some of Winnipeg’s most astounding event spaces can be found at Assiniboine Parkicons.external-link-icon, where attendees can witness polar bears and seals in an under-water viewing tunnel or attend workshops amongst butterflies and waterfalls at Canada’s Diversity Gardensicons.external-link-icon, a $100 million indoor/outdoor horticultural attraction,” said Thiesen. 

For a change of pace, delegates can take an meaningful journey through humanity’s struggles and triumphs at the Canadian Museum for Human Rightsicons.external-link-icon, the only museum in the world dedicated to the topic of human rights around the globe. 

Meetings with purpose 

By augmenting speakers’ series with ecommerce experts and enriching programming with localized tours and creative off-site venues, business event organizers can attract delegates, increase revenues, and inspire future generations.  

“We call that 'meeting with purpose,” says Thiesen, pointing out that when the time is right for in-person events to resume, Winnipeg is poised to show off its ICT ecosystems and the industry leaders who are pioneering new innovations e-commerce solutions.  
 

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