The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) has been awarded the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Award of Excellence for Inclusive Community-Based Initiative & Programming, recognizing the record-breaking economic and cultural impact of the Convergence Music and Art Festival.
The award was recently presented at the 68th Annual EDCO Conference President’s Dinner in downtown Toronto, where Ontario’s top economic development leaders were recognized for their contributions to business growth, tourism, and community revitalization.
“We were proud to celebrate the best-in-class achievements of our award winners, whose outstanding contributions elevate the profile of our members and shape Ontario’s economic landscape.” said Stephanie Hopkin, 2025 EDCO President. “Congratulations to these exceptional individuals and organizations for their visionary leadership and dedication to fostering prosperity across our communities. Their innovative approaches and commitment to excellence set a new standard for economic development in Ontario.”
When the Oshawa Tourism division of the GOCC created the Convergence Music and Art Festival, it set out with a bold vision: to celebrate Oshawa’s creative spirit and diverse subcultures in a grand and authentic way that is true to Oshawa’s roots and culture. More than just a festival, Convergence is a collaborative joint reflection of the city’s people, stories, and passions, ensuring that everyone—from punk rock makers and skateboarders to comic book collectors, indie musicians, Indigenous performers, and cultural community leaders—sees themselves represented.
Launched in 2023, the festival was designed to activate downtown Oshawa, highlight its creative history and identity, and drive economic growth. In just its second year, Convergence shattered attendance records, attracted regional visitors, and delivered a massive economic boost to local businesses.
At the heart of this success is community collaboration. In 2024, Oshawa Tourism worked with over 75 local volunteers and 147 community partners—including businesses, artists, cultural groups, and organizations—who infused their perspectives, creativity, and deep care for the city into the festival. These partnerships went beyond simple participation; each group designed their festival activations, performances, and contributions with purpose, ensuring an experience that was as diverse, inclusive, and impactful as Oshawa itself.
2024 Convergence Festival Economic Impact by the Numbers:
Community-Driven Participation & Local Representation:
- 100% of the 21 cultural groups represented at the festival are rooted in Durham Region and largely anchored in Oshawa.
- 65% of the performers hailed from Durham Region, highlighting local talent and reinforcing Oshawa’s reputation as a creative hub.
Record-Breaking Attendance:
- 23,955 attendees experienced Convergence 2024, an 85% increase from its inaugural year.
Regional Attraction & Tourism Growth:
- 33.2% of attendees traveled more than 40 km, establishing Oshawa as a destination festival for cultural tourism.
Downtown Revitalization & Business Growth:
- The festival generated a single day $1.16 million boost in local business revenue, with a 391% increase in downtown foot traffic, benefitting retail, hospitality, and service sectors.
“Convergence is a powerful economic driver that fuels local businesses, attracts tourism, and strengthens Oshawa’s downtown core,” said Carrie-Anne Atkins, GOCC President. “By showcasing our city’s rich musical heritage and diverse creative industries, the festival also generates significant economic activity, increases foot traffic, and creates new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural organizations. Winning the EDCO Award for Inclusive Community-Based Programming recognizes not just the Oshawa Chamber, but the entire network of businesses, partners, volunteers, and community groups that have contributed to this festival’s success and impact.”
“The City of Oshawa is thrilled to see Oshawa Tourism honoured with EDCO’s Visitor Attraction Award for the Convergence Music and Art Festival. The festival brought together our community in the heart of downtown and showcased the vibrant cultural scene in the great City of Oshawa. Congratulations to everyone involved in making the event an outstanding success!” said Dan Carter, Mayor of Oshawa.
The Convergence Music and Art Festival is more than just a weekend event—it is a movement that brings together artists, businesses, cultural leaders, residents and visitors to celebrate the city’s identity in the most dynamic and authentic way possible. As the festival continues to grow, so too will its impact, creating opportunities for more voices to be heard, more connections to be made, and more people to experience the incredible diversity that defines Oshawa.
For more information about the Convergence Music and Art Festival, visit www.convergenceoshawa.com For more information about the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.OshawaChamber.com.
