What Made Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference One of the Top Business Events?

For over ten years, the Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference & Tradeshow (TECONF) was the city’s most significant business gathering, where thousands of entrepreneurs – from garage startups to corporate CEOs – met twice yearly to make deals, find investors and build partnerships. As the premier Toronto business expo, TECONF drew over 2,000 attendees to each trade show in the Mississauga Convention Centre. It set the standard for business networking in Toronto before its recent closure.

What Was TECONF?

For more than ten years, Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference & Tradeshow (TECONF) served as Toronto’s main business networking hub. The event ran twice yearly, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts. Beyond standard entrepreneur workshops in Toronto, TECONF created a sustainable business community that fostered long-term professional relationships and business growth.

While TECONF primarily focused on traditional industries, similar networking and business growth opportunities exist in other sectors, including online gambling and casino gaming.

Beyond Traditional Sectors: How Casino Events Connect Industry Leaders

Just like TECONF brought together entrepreneurs from various industries, global casino and iGaming conferences help connect leaders in the online gambling sector. Events such as ICE London, SiGMA, and G2E Las Vegas offer platforms for online casino operators, software providers, and regulators to network, share insights, and explore new business opportunities. These events highlight innovations in gaming technology, responsible gambling measures, and market expansion strategies, making them essential for industry professionals.

Let’s take a closer look at how TECONF’s format supported business growth and learning.

Inside TECONF: Event Format & Sessions

As the leading Toronto conference and trade show in 2018-2019, TECONF operated through three main channels:

Keynote Speakers & Industry Experts

TECONF’s speaker selection focused on practical business knowledge and real-world success stories. Notable speakers included:

Sponsors & Exhibitors: Industry Leaders Supporting TECONF

TECONF maintained strong corporate partnerships that enhanced event value. Major supporters included:

Corporate Sponsors (ranging from cybersecurity entrepreneurs to marketing networking specialists):

• HSBC Bank – Financial services
• GoDaddy Canada – Digital solutions
• TorontoJobs.ca – Recruitment
• CIBC – Banking
• Royal Roads University – Education
• Zoocasa –Real estate

These partnerships provided attendees with direct access to business services and resources while offering sponsors targeted exposure to business decision-makers.

Pricing for Sponsors & Exhibitors

TECONF used a tiered pricing model that accommodated different budget levels:

Package Type	Price (+ HST)	Key Benefits
Platinum Sponsor	$15,000	20′ exhibit space, 8 lunch vouchers, 10 social media mentions, speaking slot
Gold Sponsor	$11,000	15′ exhibit space, 6 lunch vouchers, 8 social media mentions
Silver Sponsor	$7,000	15′ exhibit space, 4 lunch vouchers, 4 social media mentions
Featured Exhibitor	$2,295	10′ space, preferred location
Standard Exhibitor	$1,495	7′ space, basic setup

Webinars & Online Events

TECONF’s shift to virtual programming created new opportunities for wider participation. Their digital platform handled thousands of concurrent users, enabling large-scale online events that maintained the quality of in-person gatherings.

Key Virtual Events:

• Canadian Virtual CFO Conference (2,000+ participants)
• SBLR Economic Webinars (monthly, 500+ attendees each)
• Connect & Learn Series (weekly, 200-300 participants)
• CPA Firm Partners Conference (quarterly, 1,000+ professionals)

Beyond simple webinars, TECONF developed comprehensive virtual experiences. Each online event included dedicated networking time, allowing attendees to form connections through video chat rooms and digital meetups. The platform’s chat features facilitated hundreds of one-on-one meetings during each event.

Special attention went to engagement tools. Speakers used live polls, interactive whiteboards, and breakout sessions to maintain audience interest. Post-event surveys showed 85% satisfaction rates for virtual programs, matching the engagement levels of physical events.

Attendee Demographics & Target Audience

The event attracted a diverse business crowd, reflecting Toronto’s entrepreneurial landscape. The 2019 expo entrepreneurs’ data showed that company founders and CEOs made up 26% of attendees, while executive-level participants accounted for 36%. The remaining 38% consisted of startup founders and business professionals seeking growth opportunities.

Small businesses dominated attendance, with half of participating companies having 2-20 employees. Mid-sized companies with 21-100 employees represented 8% of attendees, while larger organizations made up 16% of the audience. This mix created valuable networking opportunities across business scales.

Why TECONF Is No Longer Active

Several factors led to TECONF’s closure. The shift to virtual networking during COVID-19 changed how businesspeople connect. Many companies cut event budgets, affecting sponsorship revenue. The rise of specialized business trade shows split the audience that TECONF once united.

Yet, TECONF’s end reflects broader changes in business networking rather than failure. The event adapted well to virtual formats but faced tough competition from newer, more focused events.

What Can Entrepreneurs Do Now? Alternatives to TECONF

Toronto’s business community remains active through various new channels. Current business events in Toronto include: