The Ottawa Festival Summit
A shared vision where festivals are not just permitted — they are championed.
November 19, 2025 | 12 PM - 5 PM | Ottawa City Hall
A gathering to reaffirm Ottawa’s identity as Canada’s Festival Capital — a city where celebration is part of the cultural identity.
Together, event producers, city leaders, and community partners commit to strengthening our collaboration, fostering mutual understanding, and unlocking the full potential of festivals to build economic vitality, cultural richness, and community belonging.
This Summit marks a shared vision: a thriving, inclusive, and vibrant Ottawa, where festivals are not just permitted — they are championed.
Presenting Sponsor
SUMMIT SCHEDULE
12:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Light lunch, coffee, and tea
Community gathering
1:00 PM
Welcome
Tara Shannon, Executive Director (OFN)
His Worship Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
1:15 PM
Fireside Chat
His Worship Mayor Mark Sutcliffe & Mark Monahan
A look back at the last 30 years, the founding of OFN and the current state of the festival sector.
1:45 PM
The Future of Festivals
Tara Shannon, Executive Director (OFN)
The Next 30 Years: Innovation & Sustainability
2:00 PM
Event Central & Special Event Advisory Team Information Hour
Connecting the dots - your guide to Event Central & SEAT.
3:00 PM
The NCC Presents
Sustainable development strategies for the
festival sector in the nation's capital.
3:15 PM
Sustainability in Action:
Building a Lasting Festival City
A cross-sector discussion on building sustainable systems that strengthen Ottawa's festival ecosystem - supporting people, protecting the environment, and ensuring long-term financial resilience.
4:00 PM
Ottawa Tourism Presents
Festival strategies for the visitor economy.
4:30 PM
One City: A World of Festivals
Short film presentation in partnership with Digi60
4:45 PM
Ottawa: Canada’s Festival Capital
Presentation of a shared vision statement to sustain Ottawa's festival sector moving forward.
