Invest in Hamilton

The City of Hamilton has been selected by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to host the 2027 Ontario Big City Leaders Forum on November 3–4, 2027. Delivered by Canada’s largest provincial economic development association, this premier two-day event will bring economic development professionals, city leaders, and industry experts together in Hamilton for valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate.

The announcement builds on remarkable local momentum: for the 15th consecutive year, Site Selection Magazine recently named Hamilton one of Canada’s Best Locations to Invest in 2026. As a city defined by sustained investment growth and urban transformation, Hamilton offers an ideal backdrop for conversations shaping the future of Ontario’s major urban centres.

Hosting the 2027 Ontario Big City Leaders Forum places delegates at the centre of one of Canada’s most diversified and competitive economies. Recognized among Canada’s Best Locations to Invest for 15 straight years, Hamilton’s economic momentum is powered by major corporate expansions across life sciences, agribusiness, manufacturing, and transformative downtown revitalization anchored by the newly redeveloped TD Coliseum and the city’s 10-Year Downtown Revitalization Strategy. Strategically located in the heart of Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, Hamilton is a true multi-modal hub—connecting businesses to 142 million consumers within a day’s drive through seamless access to major highways, Class 1 railways, the Port of Hamilton, and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. Employers and investors also benefit from a regional labour pool of 4.9 million people within a one-hour drive, supported by world-class research and talent from McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University.

Beyond its economic fundamentals, Hamilton blends urban energy with historic charm and natural beauty, offering vibrant commercial corridors, a celebrated culinary and arts scene, waterfront developments, and hundreds of kilometres of trails and waterfalls that make the city an exceptional place to live, work, and invest.

When delegates gather in Hamilton in November 2027, they will experience firsthand how the city brings industry, academia, and community partners together to turn long-term vision into measurable economic impact.

Complementing EDCO’s broader professional development programming, the 2027 EDCO Ontario Big City Leaders Forum in Hamilton builds on the organization’s ongoing commitment to creating valuable opportunities for connection and knowledge sharing within Ontario’s economic development community.

Through professional development, networking, and mentorship, EDCO supports the professionals working to strengthen communities across the province. Delegates attending the forum in Hamilton will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with Industry and Municipal Leaders: Connect directly with industry leaders, city professionals, and subject-matter experts inside one of Ontario’s fastest-evolving urban markets.
• Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Exchange actionable insights with colleagues across Ontario’s economic development sector on the challenges and opportunities facing big-city economies.
• Strengthen Local Communities: Participate in programming backed by EDCO’s leadership in supporting municipalities to foster economic prosperity, support sustainability, and strengthen member capacity.

Economic development professionals, municipal leaders, and sector partners planning to attend the forum in Hamilton can prepare using the key event details below:

Event: 2027 EDCO Ontario Big City Leaders Forum
Host Community: City of Hamilton, Ontario
Event Dates: November 3–4, 2027
Registration Launch Date: Monday, February 1, 2027 (opening at the 2027 EDCO Conference)
Agendas and Accommodations: Additional event information, including programming, agendas, and local Hamilton accommodation details, will be announced as event plans are finalized.