The event will connect Canadian agencies with global agency search consultants, showcasing effective Canadian work on the world stage.
The ICA is bringing the prestigious AdForum Summit to Canada this May, marking a major milestone for the Canadian agency sector.
Delivered in partnership with the ICA, and with support from the Government of Canada through CanExport and the Ontario Trade & Investment Office, the AdForum Summit will bring leading agency search consultants to Canada for a curated, two-day program of meetings with Canadian agencies that are breaking new ground creatively and delivering standout results for their clients.
Among the most influential events in the global agency search ecosystem, the AdForum Summit takes place twice a year, the first session in North America in spring and the second in Europe, in autumn. This season, ahead of its New York session, the Summit will launch in Toronto, offering Canadian agencies an exclusive opportunity to meet in-person with industry search consultants, before continuing to NYC later in the week.
The event provides a structured environment where agency search consultants are introduced to agencies through a carefully curated agenda of presentations and discussions. The goal is to give consultants deep insight into agency positioning, capabilities and creative ambition, ensuring they are firmly on the radar for future global and regional agency searches.
Bringing the AdForum Summit to Canada is a key pillar of the ICA’s broader "Brands Need More Canada" platform, which encourages global brands to tap into Canada’s distinctive creative talent, strategic thinking, diverse perspectives and capabilities for local and global brands.
The ICA expects the Canadian edition of the Summit to play a long-term role in strengthening the global visibility and commercial opportunities of Canadian agencies, while reinforcing Canada’s reputation as a creative powerhouse.
Scott Knox, President & CEO, Institute of Canadian Agencies, said:
Bringing the AdForum Summit to Canada is a significant coup for our industry and a powerful opportunity for ICA member agencies. Agency search consultants play a critical role in shaping the global agency landscape, and this Summit puts Canadian agencies directly in front of the people who influence those decisions. It’s a tangible demonstration of our belief that brands around the world need more Canada – more of our creativity, more of our thinking, and more of our talent.
Carol Mason, Managing Director, AdForum, said:
We’re seeing growing interest from global brands in Canadian creativity and strategic thinking. Bringing the Summit to Canada allows us to connect our global community of search consultants with agencies in a way that’s immersive, meaningful and commercially relevant to where the industry is heading. Canada just this month placed second in The One Club’s 2025 Global Creative Rankings, coming in ahead of European powerhouses Germany and the UK. Canada has a compelling story to tell, and this Summit creates the perfect platform to tell it.
Meanwhile, global search consultants said that the opportunity to spend focused time with Canadian agencies should prove timely and valuable.
Richard Robinson, Executive Director at global search consultancy Ingenuity+, said:
Canadian agencies consistently punch above their weight creatively, yet many remain underrepresented in global conversations. Having the opportunity to experience their thinking, culture and ambition first-hand, in their own markets, is invaluable for consultants like us when advising multinational clients.
Paul Phillips, Managing Partner of UK-based AAR, added:
The AdForum Summit is an opportunity to look up from the day to day and consider what’s happening across the agency landscape. Canada is home to agencies doing genuinely world-class work, and being able to spend time with them allows us to understand better what differentiates them, where they excel, and how they can add value for brands wanting something distinctive from their agency partners.
Global marketing consultant Tina Fegent said:
Clients are increasingly seeking fresh thinking that delivers a genuine competitive advantage. Canadian agencies offer a strong blend of strategic rigour, creativity and cultural insight. Engaging with them in the AdForum setting allows for a more rigorous assessment and underpins confident recommendations for their participation in international searches that we may be involved in.
The North American edition of the AdForum Summit starts on Monday, May 11 in Toronto and concludes on May 15 in New York City. Over the course of the week, the delegation will meet with agency leaders who are shaping the marketing economy and delivering success for their brand clients. The second edition of the 2026 Summit will take place in Europe in the autumn.
Agencies interested in taking part in AdForum Summit Toronto 2026 should contact scott@theica.ca.
