April 22, 2025 – Canadian communities can be at the forefront of athlete advocacy in Canada by hosting two of the most impactful and inspiring events on the national sport calendar in 2026 and 2027.
Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are now open for the 2026 and 2027 editions of the AthletesCAN Forum and Canadian Sport Awards.
“The AthletesCAN Forum was truly multifaceted, and the presence of the media throughout the event was testament to the profile of it” said Canadian Athletics Olympian Perdita Felicien. “Forum doesn’t just educate athletes and inform them about the business side of sport. Since its inception, the Forum has been a positive presence in every city that has been lucky enough to host it.”
“The AthletesCAN Forum and Canadian Sport Awards are marquee moments on the Canadian sport calendar – and they create a powerful legacy for every host community,” said Alicia Renaud-Paquin, Manager of Athlete Relations & Marketing at AthletesCAN. “Welcoming hundreds of athletes, media, and sport leaders drives economic impact and puts the spotlight firmly on the host city as a true centre of Canadian sport excellence.”
Each year, the AthletesCAN Forum brings together national team athlete representatives from across the country for a powerful weekend of education, collaboration, and leadership development. The Forum creates a unique space for athlete leaders to shape the future of sport in Canada – through open dialogue, hands-on workshops, and connections that transcend the field of play.
Paired with the Forum is the Canadian Sport Awards (CSAs) – a high-energy celebration of the outstanding achievements and contributions of Canada’s national team athletes, leaders, and sport partners. From breakthrough performances to behind-the-scenes changemakers, the CSAs spotlight those who go above and beyond to elevate Canadian sport.
Bid proposals will be accepted from Canadian destination marketing organizations (DMOs).
Bidding DMOs can expect to:
● Position their destination as Premier Partner of the Canadian Sport Awards & AthletesCAN Forum
● Attract national media, key decision-makers, and the country’s top athletic talent to their community
● Take centre stage in Canada’s sport landscape
● Showcase their community as the ultimate destination for high-performance sport and sport celebration
● Leverage a unique opportunity for economic, social, and brand impact
The bid process is managed by iSPARK Consulting Inc. on behalf of AthletesCAN. Visit the SPOHOX™ Bid Zone for a copy of the bidding requirements. Letters of intent from DMOs are due by May 30, 2025 and a full proposal is due by June 27, 2025.
Questions about AthletesCAN
Alicia Renaud-Paquin
Manager of Athlete Relations & Marketing, AthletesCAN
arenaudpaquin@athletescan.ca
Questions about the AthletesCAN Forum and Canadian Sport Awards RFP
Krista Benoit
President & CEO, iSPARK Consulting
krista@isparkconsulting.ca
