November 18, 2025 (Ottawa, ON / Saint John, NB) – Canada’s most buzzworthy sport tourism industry event is heading to the East Coast. iSPARK Consulting Inc. and Envision Saint John are pleased to announce that the 2026 edition of Spo Ho Xperience Live (SPOHOX26 Live) will take place November 4–5, 2026, in Saint John, New Brunswick, with programming hosted at The Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint John and The Country Club on the Boardwalk.
Now in its fourth edition, Spo Ho Xperience Live is an exclusive, invite-only gathering of sport hosting professionals designed to spark ideas, inspire collaboration, and elevate Canada’s sport tourism game. Previous editions were held in Ottawa, Ontario (2023), Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (2024), and Regina, Saskatchewan (2025).
The 2026 event will bring together a curated mix of sport event rights holders, destination sport hosting representatives, event management professionals, and industry suppliers for two action-packed days of experiential learning, networking, and discovery. The event is projected to generate nearly $1 million in total economic impact for the Saint John region.
“The Saint John Region is thrilled to host Spo Ho Xperience Live 2026,” said Andrew Beckett, CEO of Envision Saint John. “We can’t wait to extend our signature East Coast hospitality to sport organizations, destinations, and sport hosting professionals from across Canada and the United States. Hosting this event positions our region as a leader in sport hosting and sets the stage for future national and international hosting opportunities.”
“We’re very pleased to bring the 2026 edition of SPOHOX Live to New Brunswick,” said Gary Curgin, Sport Travel and Event Management Consultant and event co-chair. “Our attendees will be impressed by how Saint John fully embraces sport tourism and how seamlessly this city delivers for event organizers. From the educational sessions to the social events and local venue tours that will be featured, Saint John will show exactly why it deserves a spot at the top of every host city shortlist.”
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About Spo Ho Xperience
Established in 2023 as an exclusive, boutique-style gathering of sport hosting professionals, Spo Ho Xperience (SPOHOX) has evolved into a national movement for industry disruptors, changemakers, and forward-thinkers.
More than an event, it’s a catalyst reshaping how sport events are bid on, hosted, and experienced across Canada. From destinations and venues to event organizers and sport tourism leaders, Spo Ho X is redefining the playbook for collaboration, innovation, and growth in one of Canada’s fastest-growing tourism sectors—sport tourism—valued at over $7.4 billion annually (based on 2019 data).
The Spo Ho Xperience brand lineup includes two powerhouse offerings:
- The Spo Ho Xperience Live Event
- A by-invitation-only, two-day gathering where sport hosting leaders converge to exchange bold ideas, forge new partnerships, and elevate their Spo Ho game. Inspiring creativity, connection, and an entrepreneurial mindset, Spo Ho X Live isn’t a conference — it’s an experience that fuels the future of sport hosting.
- Bid Zone
- A free, online platform that empowers rights holders and host communities to connect through open sport event opportunities. Designed to spark collaboration, increase visibility, and streamline the bidding process, Bid Zone is transforming how sport events find their next home.
About Envision Saint John
Envision Saint John is the Saint John Region’s lead economic development and visitor attraction agency, tasked with sustainably growing our economy and population. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and actively supported by the municipalities that are our key funding partners – Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Hampton, Fundy-St. Martins and the Fundy Rural District.
For More Information:
Krista Benoit
Event Director & Founder, Spo Ho Xperience
819-682-5298
info@SpoHoXperience.ca
www.SpoHoXperience.ca
SPOHOX on LinkedIn, (X)Twitter, and Instagram
Genevieve Crowell
Marketing & Communications Manager
genevieve.crowell@envisionsaintjohn.com
506-658-2877 ext. 105
https://www.envisionsaintjohn.com/
Envision on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook