CITT/ICTS’ 2026 Rendez-vous Wrap Up

CITT/ICTS’ 2026 Rendez-vous held August 12 to 14 in Ottawa, Ontario, brought together emerging and established professionals from across Canada’s live performance and events industry for a vibrant gathering focused on professional development, knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration. The annual conference and trade show, which moves to a different Canadian city each year, welcomed both CITT/ICTS members and non-members in a welcoming, hands-on environment designed to inspire ideas, strengthen connections, and support career growth.

The 2026 edition took place across three Ottawa venues: the University of Ottawa Faculty of Arts’ Department of Theatre LabO, Arts Court, and the National Arts Centre. CITT/ICTS extends its sincere appreciation to each venue for opening its doors to the community and for providing outstanding support throughout the event. Attendance increased significantly compared with previous years, with particularly strong participation across both the conference program and trade show, reflecting renewed enthusiasm for coming together in person to learn, share expertise, and celebrate the industry.

Attendee engagement remained consistently strong throughout the event, with lively participation in sessions and meaningful exchanges among colleagues and peers. Survey feedback further confirmed the success of the gathering, with respondents expressing a high level of satisfaction with the event overall, as well as its educational programming and networking opportunities. Pre-conference workshops were especially well received, including Theatrical Rigging and Counterweight Fly Systems, presented in partnership with JOEL Theatrical and Down Stage Right Industries, and the PM/TD Arts Series, which explored three essential building blocks of production management.

The IATSE Training Hub also returned with five practical workshops covering wigs, costumes, makeup, and Vectorworks. Across the main conference program, 21 educational sessions, panels, and roundtables brought together specialists from across the sector. Topics ranged from production management, health and safety, and IDEA to lighting and sound design, 3D printing, theatre seating, stage rigging, network systems, and RF transmission for live events, providing participants with opportunities to expand their skills and discover new approaches to their work.

The trade show was another highlight, featuring more than 25 exhibitors across two busy floors. A new trade show warm-up networking event gave exhibitors and attendees an informal opportunity to connect over coffee and breakfast ahead of the trade show opening. During the trade show, Triple E also offered a stage track training session, adding a hands-on learning opportunity to the busy exhibition program. Two showcase events also drew strong crowds: the Loudspeaker Showcase, and the Lighting Fixture Showcase, which was presented by Christie Lites.

Rendez-vous favourites continued to bring the community together outside the formal program. The Swag Bingo fundraising event filled the venue with enthusiastic players and raised $4,000 for The AFC in just three hours. CITT/ICTS extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, donated prizes, or contributed as a sponsor. The Opening Soirée also introduced a new element this year with the CITT/ICTS Awards Ceremony, honouring three outstanding contributors to the industry: Sholem Dolgoy, recipient of the Achievement in Education Award; Hazebase and Andrew Strain, President of Hazebase America, recipients of the Technical Innovation and Achievement Award; and Denis Lefrançois, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Rendez-vous reminds us of the value of gathering as a community, sharing what we know, discovering new possibilities, and recognizing the people whose work strengthens live performance across Canada,” said Jacquie Lazar, CITT/ICTS’ Executive Director. “The enthusiasm and generosity we experienced in Ottawa made this edition particularly meaningful, and we are proud of what we accomplished together. Our sincere thanks go out to every participant, presenter, exhibitor, sponsor, volunteer, and venue partner who helped make it possible.”

CITT/ICTS extends its warmest appreciation to the student volunteers, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees whose time, expertise, and enthusiasm contributed to another memorable Rendez-vous. The next edition will take place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, continuing CITT/ICTS’ commitment to high-quality training, education, professional connection, and community building. CITT/ICTS looks forward to welcoming the industry to Winnipeg in August 2027.

About the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology/Institut canadien des technologies scénographiques (CITT/ICTS):
CITT/ICTS is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the professional development of individuals and organizations involved in the Canadian live performance and entertainment technology industry. Through training, networking, and advocacy, CITT/ICTS fosters innovation, collaboration, and excellence across the sector.

Rendez-vous website www.citt.org/annual_conference.html.

For more information or for conference related inquiries, contact: rendezvous@citt.org