Ottawa and The Hague celebrate continued H2O partnership success at annual IMEX breakfast
Ottawa Tourism, The Hague Convention Bureau and Rogers Centre Ottawa celebrated the continued success of the H2O partnership this week, bringing together nearly 30 association buyers for the annual H2O breakfast at IMEX.
The breakfast, which has become a valued fixture during IMEX, provided an informal and highly focused opportunity for international association planners to connect with representatives from both destinations and their convention centers. The event highlighted the strength of the long-standing relationship between Ottawa and The Hague, while creating meaningful networking opportunities for buyers looking at future congresses and events in Europe, North America, or both.
First launched in 2019, the H2O partnership was created to bring together two internationally minded capital cities with shared values, complementary strengths and a joint commitment to supporting association clients. The collaboration has continued to grow through joint sales activity, shared research, coordinated client introductions and international activations, including regular engagement with buyers at IMEX.
Stephanie Seguin, Vice President, Business & Major Events at Ottawa Tourism, said: “The annual H2O breakfast at IMEX Frankfurt is a perfect example of what this partnership is all about. It brings together the right people, in the right environment, for valuable and honest conversations about the future of international association events. To have nearly 30 associations in the room this year demonstrates the strength of the relationship between Ottawa and The Hague, as well as the value buyers see in destinations that work together rather than in isolation.”
Bas Schot, head of The Hague Convention Bureau, commented: “The H2O partnership continues to be a strong example of international collaboration in the business events sector. Ottawa and The Hague share a belief that partnership should deliver tangible benefits for clients, from better intelligence and stronger connections to a more joined-up approach to event planning. This year’s breakfast once again showed the appetite among association buyers for destinations that are willing to think creatively and work together.”
Lesley Pincombe, CEO at Rogers Centre Ottawa, added: “From a venue perspective, the H2O partnership creates real value for planners. It allows us to share knowledge, align support and better understand the needs of international associations across different markets. The breakfast at IMEX Frankfurt was not only a celebration of the partnership’s ongoing success, but also a chance to build new relationships and explore how Ottawa and The Hague can support future events in practical, meaningful ways.”
A buyer attending the breakfast, Emma Jane Taylor, director of the International Data Links Society concluded: “The H2O partnership is a great example of added value in action. Ottawa and The Hague are both impressive destinations in their own right, but the fact that their teams work together gives associations access to shared insight, trusted introductions and a more connected planning experience. For buyers, that collaboration makes a real difference.”
The event also underlined the ongoing importance of face-to-face networking at IMEX Frankfurt, providing association buyers with direct access to destination and venue experts in a relaxed setting designed to encourage conversation, knowledge sharing and long-term relationship building.
The H2O partners will continue to work together to identify and support international congresses that align with both destinations’ strengths, while championing collaboration, innovation and shared value across the global meetings industry.
Ottawa booth E300
The Hague booth C100
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