The Fair

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or The Ex as it is also known, is Canada’s largest annual community event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events, midway rides and games, a working farm, parades and sports, international food and shopping, Kids’ World, and a three-day air show. Over the course of its late summer run, the CNE attracts approximately 1.3 million people each year (1.31 million in 2011).

Founded in 1879, the CNE has enjoyed a distinguished history as a showcase of the nation; “the place” where people came to experience the “best and the brightest” from the latest innovations in technology and commercial products, to the greatest artists of the time. Although the CNE has changed over the years, it continues to be one of Ontario's great annual traditions. We are currently the seventh largest fair in North America, and our audience truly reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Toronto and the region.

The fair takes place throughout 192 acres of beautiful lakefront property at Exhibition Place and attracts a dynamic and diverse audience of people from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and parts of the United States. The CNE is an integral part of the fabric of Toronto and has entertained and educated millions of people while creating economic benefits for Toronto, Ontario, and Canada. An Economic Impact Study conducted by Enigma Research Corporation in 2009, reported that the CNE had a gross economic impact of $58.6 million on the Greater Toronto Area and $80 million on the province of Ontario in that year.

The CNE is a provincially incorporated Agricultural Society and fulfills a key program of Exhibition Place, a local board of management of the City of Toronto.  In 2010, it received Eco Logo certification as the "greenest" fair in North America, and the most "environmentally friendly" large scale event on the continent. 

Throughout its history, the CNE has demonstrated financial responsibility.  In the last decade, it has contributed more than $20 million in site fees to the annual operating budget of the Board of Governors (BOG) of Exhibition Place, in addition to $7.3 million in operating surpluses.  These contributions have been included in consolidated annual financial results from the CNEA and BOG for the benefit of the City of Toronto.

Join us this summer for the 134th CNE and18 days of fun from Friday, August 17 to Monday, September 3, 2012. Let’s Go to the EX!

Pictured:
CNE rest area “Chair with Flair” decorated by Grade 3 students at the Grenoble Public School in Toronto

Economic Impact

A 2009 Economic Impact Assessment, conducted by Enigma Research Corporation reports that the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) generates an estimated $58.6 million for the City of Toronto and $80 million for the Province of Ontario each year.

The Study also reveals that the 2009 CNE attracted more than 275,000 out-of-town visitors to the city, and that CNE-related spending supports the equivalent of 633 jobs in the region.  Spending also supports $12.9 million of tax revenue at three levels of government.

The national research initiative, which was commissioned by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (C.A.F.E.), was conducted at 20 fairs of varying sizes throughout Canada in 2008. A total of 1200 people were interviewed during the 2008 Canadian National Exhibition alone.

Other highlights of the research, which included a sample size of 1,200 people in onsite face-to-face interviews, include:

• Local Residents spent $52 million related to the CNE
• The average non-local spent 2.5 nights in Toronto. 

The CNE works with several organizations including Festivals and Events Ontario, Tourism Toronto, Attractions Ontario, the American Bus Association (ABA) and the Ontario Motor Coach Association, to help promote tourism in the Greater Toronto Area and the Province of Ontario.

The Canadian National Exhibition has been recognized by the American Bus Association (ABA) as an Internationally Known Event (IKE) in the ABA's Top 100 Events in North America for the year 2008.

One of the many ways the CNE helps to boost the local economy is through job creation. The CNE hires approximately 1200 people starting in the spring of each year to assist in the planning and production of the annual fair. An additional 3500 people are hired during the Fair itself by CNE partners including Emergency Services, Toronto Police, Toronto Fire, food vendors, exhibitors and concessionaires. For many young people growing up in Toronto, the CNE is their first employment experience. For information on employment at the CNE click here.

With annual visitation of approximately 1.2 million people, the CNE gives companies an excellent venue to sell their wares and connect with their audiences face to face. Many corporate sponsors and over 700 exhibitors, including many Canadian and international businesses, contribute to the CNE.

History

Founded in 1879 on a community need to encourage the development of agriculture, manufacturing, industry and commerce and the arts, the CNE has very long and very rich history. To learn more about our history or take a virtual walking tour of the grounds click here.

In the Industry

The CNE is not only active in and important to Toronto and surrounding areas, we are also a leader in the fair/event industry. The CNE is the largest and one of the longest running annual events in Canada and one of the top ten fairs in North America. 

The CNE is an active member of Toronto Tourism, Festivals and Events Ontario, Attractions Ontario, Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE.), International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) and Ontario Professional Ticketing Association (OPTA). David Bednar, the General Manager of the CNE served as President of the Board of C.A.F.E. in 2006 & 2007 and CNE Director of Operations currently sits on the C.A.F.E. Board of Directors.

The CNE also works very closely with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). The TSSA is a member organization of the CNEA and senior staff from the CNE work with TSSA committees to promote ride safety at the CNE and throughout the industry. For more information on ride safety click here.

Exhibition Place

Exhibition Place attracts more than 5.3 million visitors a year.  It offers convention, exhibition, and conference venues, sporting facilities, restaurants, nightclubs, and attractions in a beautiful 192-acre parkland. Further information about Exhibition Place can be found at www.explace.on.ca 

Environmental Initiatives

As a program of Exhibition Place, the CNE is committed to protecting and sustaining the environment. Its grounds are home to the first urban wind turbine in North America and the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, a partnership with Hydrogenics Corporation. 

Working with Exhibition Place staff, the 2008 CNE diverted an estimated 70% of all solid waste from landfills and reduced its energy use by 1.06 megawatts since 2005.  These numbers translate into a significant reduction in greehhouse gases including reducing the CNE's carbon footprint by 267.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide.  Further details are outlined in the News Release below.

Each year, one day of the CNE is designated as Green Day. Showcasing the latest in environmental technology, CNE Green Day incorporates community activities and initiatives that illustrate how we can work to protect and sustain our planet. 

Further information about Exhibition Place's Environmental initiatives can be found at www.explace.on.ca/greensmart

Waste Diversion (86.16 kb)

To Learn More About CNE History

If you would like to learn more, or if you have a specific question regarding the history of the Canadian National Exhibition please contact the Archives Department at 416-263-3658 or LCobon@Explace.on.ca