What is Event Support?
The City's Event Support Unit (ESU) is part of Cultural Services, Economic Development and Culture Division.
The Event Support Unit consults with external event producers and facilitates requests for information on a variety of issues including: Event & Conference Management, Transportation, Communications, Health, Fire Services, Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, City Parks, Municipal Licensing, Solid Waste Management and City of Toronto Protocol matters. The Event Support Unit works alongside a City of Toronto Event Support Team composed of staff from various City of Toronto departments, agencies, boards and commissions and can provide a "one-stop shop" to event producers to help facilitate their events within Toronto. We also continue to work with partners like Tourism Toronto.
The ESU has played a leadership role in the coordination of major, city-wide events World Youth Days 2002, the Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto Concert 2003, XVI International AIDS Conference 2006, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada, the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and Celebrations.
We work with neighbourhood festivals and celebrations (such as Festival of South Asia) and annual events (such as Caribana, Luminato, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Toronto International Film Festival), and special on-time events such as the 2005 Alcoholics Anonymous International Convention, 2006 IDBF (Dragon Boat) Club Crew World Championships, 2007 Grey Cup, 2010 Canadian Open, and the 2011 International Indian Film Awards (IIFA). The Event Support Unit has also provided assistance and resources to past major events.
Please visit the Festivals and Events calendar for a listing of events and programs in the City of Toronto.
Organizing an Event
As an Event Organizer, you are responsible for the planning and operation of your – or your group's – Special Event or Festival. The "one-stop" Special Event Planning Guide has been specially developed by the City of Toronto Event Support Unit to allow you to simplify the planning of your special event.
We encourage you to contact us with any questions:
E-mail: spevfest@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-395-0490
Fax: 416-392-5600
Mail: Event Support Unit
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
9th Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2