Vancouver is making its citizens ‘stronger and smarter’ by targeting its key knowledge centres to win major association conventions.

The Canadian city was recently host to the PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) Convening Leaders event (January 10-13), showcasing the latest innovations in event technology, meeting design and business event strategy. Local organisers used the opportunity to underline the importance of building a city’s intellectual capital in order to attract both association communities and the talent and entrepreneurial organisations responsible for driving a local knowledge economy.

Claire Smith, VP Sales and Marketing at Vancouver Convention Centre, said: “We’re really finding that if we start to embrace and involve our business community and our scientific community into the [conference] content and what’s happening, we can enrich it for both sides. We’re ultimately leaving our community stronger and smarter and well-connected.”