Society for College and University Planning

Toronto, A Great City on a Great Lake

Toronto Conventions and Vistors Bureau

Prepare for an extraordinary gathering this summer. Toronto, as the Huron Indians called it, even means meeting place. Now the capital of Ontario, it is home to more nationally and internationally top-ranked companies than any other Canadian city. It's also one of the most diverse cities in the world, earning the nickname "World within a City." Toronto's citizens come from more than 80 cultures across the globe, and speak over 100 languages and dialects.

Toronto is easily accessible by air, rail, and automobile. In fact, one third of Canada's population is located within 160 km radius of Toronto, and nearly half of the population of the United States is within a day's drive.

When you attend the conference, Toronto's endless attractions will beckon. Museums range from the Art Gallery of Ontario—one of the largest museums in North America—to the intriguing Bata Shoe Museum. The city's theater scene is rivaled only by London and New York. What's more, our conference hotel, the Sheraton Centre Toronto, is centrally located, bordering the theater and fashion districts. A walk downstairs from the hotel will also take you to P.A.T.H., Toronto's underground city that features more than 1,200 retail stores and services.

A short stroll or the city's excellent public transit system (the second largest in North America) takes you to endless shopping, top theatre, Lake Ontario's waterfront, and inspired international cuisine—including Canada's own specialties ranging from salmon to caribou to fiddleheads (the uncurled baby fronds of ferns).

The Greater Toronto area is home to three universities, an art college, four community colleges—and a host of private educational institutions. The city boasts at least 22 different architectural styles, and includes both historic gems and contemporary landmarks. Styles range from the neo-classic elegance of Union Station and the neo-Gothic campus of the University of Toronto.

Beyond the city and the distinctive and cozy neighborhoods, there are even more fabulous attractions—a beautiful countryside, Niagara Falls, a wine region, the Shaw and Shakespeare theater festivals, and outdoor adventures—an easy drive away!

Fun Facts
Yonge Street is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'longest street in the world', stretching 1,896 km (1,178 miles) from the lakeshore in Toronto, north to Rainy River, Ontario, at the Minnesota border

Toronto is home to the world's tallest building, the CN Tower (at 553.33 m)

Toronto is located at the same latitude as northern California (remember that the next time it snows in California)

Both the Roman Coliseum and St. Paul's Cathedral could fit comfortably inside Toronto's SkyDome stadium

The Toronto Stock Exchange is North America's 3rd largest Stock Exchange by value traded

The Toronto Transit Commission is North America's second largest public transit system

Toronto's underground city, PATH, holds the Guinness World Record for "Biggest Underground Shopping Complex" with over ten kilometres of underground, indoor pedestrian walkways linking hotels, shopping, dining and major attractions

The annual Toronto International Film Festival is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile films, stars and market activity

Toronto is the 5th-largest city in North America after Mexico City, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago