Calgary to Host Global Aviation Leaders as Word Cargo Symposium Comes to Canada in 2027

CALGARY – Calgary has been selected to host the International Air Travel Association’s (IATA) World Cargo Symposium in March 2027, marking a significant milestone for the city and showcasing Calgary and Alberta’s growing role as a centre for aviation logistics and global trade.

The World Cargo Symposium is the air cargo industry’s leading international conference, bringing together airline executives, logistics providers, regulators and innovators from around the world. The event helps shape how goods move globally – everything from food and medical supplies to e-commerce, manufacturing and live animals – and influences the future of resilient, secure and sustainable supply chains.

“Calgary has emerged as a strategic North American gateway where air, rail and road networks converge in Western Canada,” says Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of Calgary Airports. “Being chosen by IATA to host the World Cargo Symposium reinforces our role as a strategic hub for cargo and logistics. It signals that Calgary is not just participating in global trade, we’re helping shape its future.”

At the centre of Calgary’s aviation ecosystem is YYC Calgary International Airport, which supports more than 6,000 aviation-related jobs on the airport campus, generates over $500 million annually for the regional economy, and seamlessly connects Alberta businesses to global markets. More than 70 per cent of Alberta’s air cargo moves through YYC each year.

Beyond the airport, our city is home to a dynamic and growing aviation sector that includes airlines, cargo and logistics operators, training institutions and aerospace companies. Together, this ecosystem supports jobs, attracts investment and drives economic diversification across the region.

“Tourism Calgary is thrilled to welcome one of the largest and most prestigious events in the global air cargo industry - the World Cargo Symposium. Hosting this event signals our city’s strength as a leader in aviation and transportation,” says Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary. “This win also highlights how meetings and conventions, combined with our Team Calgary approach, create opportunities beyond the conference itself - opening doors for our economy, advancing transportation innovation, and strengthening Calgary’s global brand.”

Hosting the World Cargo Symposium is both a statement of confidence in the future of aviation in our region and an opportunity to showcase Calgary on a global stage. The event brings more than a thousand international delegates to the city and highlights Calgary’s capabilities as a trusted, efficient and innovative cargo hub in Canada.

It also reflects a broader shift in Alberta’s economy, from one historically centred on resources to an economy increasingly supported by transportation, trade, innovation and global connectivity. While air cargo is often invisible to the public, it is essential to everyday life and economic resilience, and Calgary’s aviation sector plays a critical role in keeping communities and industries moving.

About Calgary Airports

Calgary Airports (formally, The Calgary Airport Authority) is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. It is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and YBW Springbank Airport. Calgary Airports’ commitment to safety remains a top priority. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. Calgary Airports was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026.

About Tourism Calgary

Tourism Calgary is the destination management organization that enthusiastically shares and promotes the story of our friendly Blue Sky City to those near and far. We think big – like, Canadian Rocky Mountain big – using our sales and marketing expertise to drive an annual visitor spend of over $3B for the local economy and advocating for our growing tourism sector, which includes 84,000 Calgarians employed in the industry. From conventions to leisure travel, sports events to music and arts, Tourism Calgary represents the city’s diverse and unexpected experiences, extending our welcoming hospitality to the over 8 million people who visit Calgary every year. Go to visitcalgary.com   for more details.