Largest convention in Vancouver's history announced for 2025
Vancouver will welcome 48,000 people from around the world for the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. This will be the single largest meeting ever held in the city with a footprint spanning both the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium.
According to Todd Stone, BC Minister for Transportation and Minister Responsible for Pavco, “this bid could not have been contemplated, let alone achieved, without the province’s two world-class facilities: the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place.”
The news was announced on November 4 during the General Service Board Meeting at the A.A. General Service Office in New York. The International Convention will take place July 2 to 5, 2025.
Expected to contribute $71 million in direct spending to the local economy, the 2025 International Convention in Vancouver is the result of a 10-year journey involving the A.A. General Service Board and its General Service Office in New York, local A.A.s, Tourism Vancouver, the Vancouver Convention Centre, BC Place and local hotel partners.
Vancouver bid for the first time in 2003, and attempted once more before securing the conference in 2013. More than a dozen North American cities were invited to bid for the highly coveted 2025 meeting, including Montreal, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Denver. Vancouver was selected for its award-winning facilities and infrastructure, close relationships among the hospitality community, and inspiring location next to the ocean and mountains.
“Vancouver had all the basics covered: an amazing destination, world-class facilities and a committed, energized local A.A. population,” said Gregg Talley, A.A. Convention Manager. “The icing on the cake was the team of incredible hospitality professionals who worked together, and then with us, to make this happen. We are delighted to be working with the Vancouver community to make this event a huge success in 2025.”
Adding on, Tourism Vancouver’s Jacqueline Benear, director of U.S. Meetings and Conventions sales, touched base on the organization’s persistence to win the coveted convention. “Orchestrating and winning a bid of this magnitude took time and patience, and is the direct result of A.A.’s local community approaching us in the mid-90s – they have been our steadfast inspiration ever since,” she said.
“The International Convention is a cornerstone booking for our city, and a testament to the entire hospitality community’s collaboration, dedication and long-term planning. This amazing event is so powerful and uplifting to so many people, and we look forward to sharing our home with A.A. in 2025,” said Benear.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope to help themselves and each other recover from alcoholism. The organization’s international convention takes place once every five years, and is attended by delegates from more than 75 countries. The event features meetings, workshops and a traditional flag ceremony that celebrates the sobriety of members worldwide.
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