About STC


Sport Tourism Canada is an organization founded through a partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission with the goal to increase Canada’s capacity to attract and host sport tourism events.

SPORT TOURISM IS THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

MISSION

We enhance Canada’s ability to attract and host premier sport tourism events.

Building Strategic Partnerships
Collaborating with key stakeholders, including governments, tourism agencies, and event organizers, to create a unified approach to attracting small to major sport events.

Providing Educational Resources
Offering industry news, up-for-bid opportunities, and resources that help local communities, venues, and event organizers develop the skills and knowledge needed to successfully host events.

Facilitating Networking Opportunities
Hosting Sport Event Congress for industry professionals to connect, share insights, and form partnerships, ensuring a strong, cohesive sport tourism network across the country.

Advocating for Policy and Investment
Working with government bodies and private sector partners to secure the necessary funding and infrastructure investments required to support our members.

Showcasing Canadian Success
Promoting Canada’s successful track record of hosting sporting events, helping to build the country’s reputation as a top destination for sport tourism.

Offering Business-to-Business Connections
Connecting event rights holders with potential host cities, venues, and service providers, ensuring that events are matched with the best possible resources and locations.

Promoting economic impact and the use of STEAM
Helping our members quantify the impact and importance of sport tourism events to the Canadian economy through the use of the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM).

VISION

To make Canada the world’s premier destination for hosting sport events.

VALUES

Excellence
Striving for the highest standards in everything we do, continuously improving and innovating to achieve outstanding results.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Committing to fairness, embracing diverse perspectives, and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate and thrive.

Alignment
Ensuring that all actions and initiatives are consistent with our mission, vision, and goals, creating a cohesive and focused approach to achieving success.

Leadership
Inspiring and guiding others through proactive and visionary actions, setting the standard for excellence and integrity in the sport tourism industry.

Collaboration
Fostering strong partnerships and teamwork, working together across sectors and communities to achieve common goals and drive collective success.

What we offer


Economic Impact

Consulting Services

Up for Bid!

BECOME A MEMBER

Exclusive Events

FAQs


WHAT IS SPORT TOURISM?

Sport tourism is any activity in which people are attracted to a particular location as a sport event participant, an event spectator, or to attend sport attractions or business meetings.

WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE STC? WHY SHOULD I BE A MEMBER?

STC’s members include municipalities from every province including major metropolitan areas and small communities across Canada. Many national, provincial and multi-sport organizations are also members as well as suppliers to the industry (hotels, event management companies, airlines, etc.). STC also has an international membership category. More information, including a list of STC’s members, membership categories and benefits can be found on the of the website.

STC Member Directory

Membership Categories & Fees

IS THERE BENEFIT IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES JOINING STC OR DOES STC MAINLY SERVE LARGER MUNICIPALITIES?

The recent increase in activity in the sport tourism industry is a phenomenon that has been evident not only in major metropolitan areas, but in smaller communities across Canada as well. Although major international events such as the Olympic Games tend to receive most of the media profile, the critical mass of activity in sport tourism continues to occur at the community level. The programs and activities of STC are reflective of this reality as it continues to develop the tools necessary for communities of all sizes to become active in the industry at all levels.

HOW IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED AND FOR HOW LONG?

Our Board of Directors is made up of 16 members, appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting.

HOW OFTEN DOES THE MEMBERSHIP GET TOGETHER?

The STC members gather annually at STC events and at the Annual General Meeting in March. Committee members may meet more regularly via conference or video calls.

WHAT IS SPORT EVENTS CONGRESS?

Sport Events Congress is Canada’s largest annual gathering of sport, tourism organizations, event management firms and other industry professionals. Delegates are treated to best-practices presentations, keynote speakers, networking socials and the business-to-business Sport Events Exchange, an events marketplace where national and multi-sport organizations have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with municipal representatives interested in hosting events in their communities. Sport attendees typically include event volunteers and staff, executive directors and CEO’s of national sport organizations, event managers & planners, marketing personnel and individuals responsible for partnership development. Municipal attendees include marketing personnel, city representatives, sport council staff and more!

What our members are saying…


Tourism Laval – Christine Métayer, President and CEO

Tourisme Laval is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sport Tourism Canada, an invaluable partner that has helped position Laval as a top destination for sporting events. Since 2012, our membership in Sport Tourism Canada and our active participation in the Sport Events Congress have allowed us to develop our expertise and strengthen our position in this fast-growing sector. Thanks to...

Discover Saskatoon – Tess Nakrayko

By being part of Sport Tourism Canada, Discover Saskatoon strengthens its ability to attract, support, and deliver world-class sport tourism experiences. This membership is a key part of our commitment to growing Saskatoon as a dynamic, sport-friendly city on the national stage.

Athletics Canada – Maxim Chiasson, Events & Marketing Manager

Sport Tourism Canada has been an invaluable resource to Athletics Canada. The connections we’ve made through SEC and STC’s networking events have helped us identify and collaborate with strong host communities for our national championships. STC’s STEAM model has also played a critical role in measuring and communicating the economic impact of our events, which has strengthened conversations...

Tourism Medicine Hat / Medicine Hat Sport & Event Council – Kara Brake

Our community is thrilled to be preparing for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026. This will be the largest national sporting event in Medicine Hat’s history. None of this would have been possible without the critical role Sport Tourism Canada and SEC played in facilitating that initial connection. Their efforts continue to inspire and empower communities like ours to dream big and...

Tourism Tourism North Bay, ON – Matt Rabideau, Tourism Officer

The extensive programming, including the Playbook Insider Series and Economic Impact tools, deliver practical resources that directly enhance our operational effectiveness. What truly sets Sport Tourism Canada apart, however, is CEO – Sheena McCrate and her exceptional staff who consistently demonstrate unwavering commitment to STC member success, going above and beyond to provide support and...

Montréal Sports Events – Tourism Montréal – James Guilbaud, Project Manager – Sports Market

What makes Sport Events Congress (SEC) special is the chance to create bonds with our peers, meet new people, and have real conversations that move our industry forward. Every year, I walk away with fresh insights, new ideas, and many opportunities for our destination. It’s more than just a conference — it's the "rendez-vous" to shape the future of sport in Canada.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario – Kevin Eshkawkogan, President & CEO

Sports Tourism Canada is hands down the national leader in this sector and we’re glad they are our national partner.

City of Leduc – Former Mayor Greg Krischke

We have several events – MAJOR events – that have come to our community as a direct result of Sport Events Congress. Networking is one of the secrets to success at this conference. You get to experience sport tourism at its finest – that’s really cool.

Hockey Canada – Dean MacIntosh

We met with four or five communities that we’ve never been in before at Sport Events Congress.  They bid on an event over the next couple of years, and before you know it, we’re in that community hosting a major event.

STC Valued Partners