Festivals & Events Ontario

General information

Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) was established in 1987 as an association devoted to the growth and stability of the festival and event industry in Ontario.

FEO provides festival and event organizers across the province with a networking forum offering professional development opportunities and resources aimed to encourage professionalism and excellence in the delivery of festivals and special events.

FEO also acts as an advocate for the industry identifying and working towards solutions on issues such as legislation, governance, product development, and initiating programs of benefit to the industry. The association also serves industry members whose goods and services are of use and benefit to Ontario’s festivals and special events.

Festivals and events play an important role in community development. The festival and event industry in Canada creates 54,000 full-time jobs and $291 million in direct tax revenues for the federal government. Sport tourism alone accounts for $1.4 billion dollars in annual spending. There are over 5,000 festivals and events held in Ontario each year with an estimated economic impact of $812 million.