Ottawa’s EY Centre is set to be renamed under a new sponsorship agreement with Toronto-based artificial intelligence company Cohere, reflecting the growing influence of Canada’s tech sector in major public venues.
The venue, located near Ottawa International Airport, is one of Eastern Ontario’s largest event spaces, with approximately 220,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space and the capacity to host events of up to 10,000 people. It regularly hosts trade shows, conferences, and large-scale consumer events across a range of industries.
The naming change follows a trend of corporate partnerships tied to major venues, where companies secure branding rights in exchange for long-term sponsorship agreements. The EY Centre itself was renamed in 2022 after a previous naming deal, highlighting how these arrangements can shift over time.
Cohere, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, develops enterprise-focused artificial intelligence systems, including large language models used by businesses and governments. The company has been expanding its presence in Canada, including work with the federal government to explore how AI can be used in public services.
The decision to attach Cohere’s name to a major Ottawa venue comes as the company continues to grow its profile both domestically and internationally. It also reflects broader investment in Canada’s AI sector, which has received significant government and private support in recent years.
Details about the timeline for the rebranding and the terms of the agreement have not been fully disclosed. However, the change is expected to replace the current EY Centre branding once finalized.
The venue will continue to operate as a central hub for large events in Ottawa, with its programming and operations remaining unchanged aside from the new name.
