Microsoft WPC 2016: Discovering Toronto’s Innovation and Culture Hub
As the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2016 approaches, thousands of global professionals are setting their sights northward toward a dynamic destination: Toronto. This metropolis, often affectionately nicknamed “Boomtown,” is a sprawling canvas of innovation, cultural fusion, and urban energy. For those attending the WPC this year, the city offers not only a remarkable setting for networking and business growth but also an unforgettable experience beyond the convention floor.
Toronto stands as Canada’s most populous city, home to over six million residents in the Greater Toronto Area. With its forward-thinking infrastructure, diverse neighborhoods, and a reputation for both friendliness and economic momentum, it provides the perfect backdrop for a tech-driven gathering like Microsoft WPC 2016. The event itself is expected to host over 15,000 industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries from across the globe.
Why Toronto Sets the Stage for Global Collaboration
Toronto is no stranger to playing host to global conversations. It has developed into a nexus where ideas are exchanged, strategies are formed, and relationships are nurtured. As the center of Canada’s financial, technological, and cultural realms, Toronto pulses with an energy that makes it particularly suited for events like WPC.
Walking its downtown streets, you’ll notice the juxtaposition of glass-clad skyscrapers and historic brick facades, a metaphor for the city’s seamless blend of the past and future. This is the atmosphere that welcomes WPC 2016 attendees—a place where cutting-edge software solutions meet longstanding business wisdom. The conference promises to be a crucible of innovation, with sessions aimed at unveiling Microsoft’s vision for the future and empowering partners with the tools to succeed.
For professionals attending WPC, this city isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing part of the experience. From tech startups nestled in converted warehouses to Fortune 500 companies operating at the top of high-rise towers, Toronto cultivates an ecosystem where partnerships flourish and digital transformation finds fertile ground.
Making the Most of WPC 2016
This year’s conference goes far beyond scheduled presentations and keynote speeches. It’s a chance to rub shoulders with pioneers of the IT industry, engage in high-level discussions, and develop strategic alliances. Whether you’re a developer, a business analyst, a Microsoft solutions provider, or a systems architect, WPC 2016 is designed to spark ideas and illuminate future paths.
Toronto’s Enercare Centre, the main venue, will be the beating heart of the event, drawing together attendees for collaborative sessions and spontaneous encounters alike. With so many participants converging on one site, there’s an immense opportunity for learning and influence. But what makes this experience even more rewarding is what lies just beyond the conference doors.
A City That Captivates Beyond the Convention
Toronto does not merely complement the WPC—it enhances it. The moment you step outside the venue, the city beckons with its multicultural charm, iconic attractions, and sensory delights. It’s not uncommon to find conference-goers transitioning from strategy meetings to late-night jazz in a Kensington Market café, or from panel discussions to a sunset walk along the shores of Lake Ontario.
One of the most intriguing things about Toronto is its complexity. It’s a city where you can hear ten languages within a single block and dine on food from five continents before nightfall. This diversity doesn’t just exist in pockets—it permeates every aspect of the urban experience.
Weather, Time, and Getting Around
July in Toronto is summer in its full glory. Expect warm days with temperatures reaching up to 31°C (87°F). The climate encourages outdoor exploration—think walks through Queen’s Park or ferry rides to the Toronto Islands. The city operates on Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -5), which is useful to know when planning meetings and syncing devices.
Navigating Toronto is relatively seamless. The city boasts one of North America’s largest and most established streetcar networks. Fares are affordable, but exact change or pre-purchased tokens are required, as operators do not carry cash or sell tickets. Taxis, Uber, and rental services like Avis are readily available, while many prefer the convenience of the clean and reliable subway system.
Local Knowledge That Makes a Difference
It’s often the smaller details that shape a travel experience, and Toronto’s nuances are worth noting. The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and while credit cards are widely accepted, having some cash for markets or small vendors is helpful.
Torontonians, as they’re called, are known for their cordiality and their willingness to help visitors navigate the city. English is the dominant language, but don’t be surprised to hear French, Mandarin, Punjabi, or Italian as you make your way through the neighborhoods. The city’s polyglot nature adds a vibrant layer to its charm.
A Cultural Melting Pot Like No Other
The city’s neighborhoods are like living galleries, each offering a unique glimpse into the diverse soul of Toronto. Stroll through Chinatown and you’ll be immersed in a sensory overload of fragrant spices, red lanterns, and open-air produce stands. In Little Italy, espresso bars hum with conversation, while in Little India, sari shops shimmer in storefront windows. Each district has its own cadence and color, inviting visitors to explore beyond the obvious.
Toronto’s arts scene is equally compelling. It’s home to the Toronto International Film Festival, a cinematic showcase second only to Cannes in prestige. The city also boasts over 8,000 restaurants, dozens of museums and galleries, and a nightlife scene that pulses late into the evening.
Must-See Attractions While You’re in Town
A visit to Toronto isn’t complete without experiencing a few of its iconic landmarks. The CN Tower, once the tallest free-standing structure in the world, dominates the skyline and offers jaw-dropping panoramic views. Its EdgeWalk is not for the faint of heart—a high-altitude stroll around the tower’s exterior ledge at 356 meters above ground.
History and architecture lovers will find inspiration at Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival castle nestled in midtown. With its soaring turrets, secret tunnels, and lush gardens, it transports visitors into a romanticized past of Edwardian opulence.
For science enthusiasts, the Ontario Science Centre provides interactive exhibits and a public planetarium, while the Royal Ontario Museum hosts everything from dinosaur fossils to ancient artifacts. Meanwhile, the Toronto Zoo continues to impress with its conservation initiatives and immersive habitats, including the famed Giant Panda Experience.
A Natural Wonder Worth the Journey
While Toronto has more than enough to offer on its own, one cannot ignore the majestic Niagara Falls, just a 90-minute drive from the city. It’s a spectacle of power and beauty, with 750,000 gallons of water thundering down each second. Whether viewed from the brink at Table Rock or through the misty tunnels of Journey Behind the Falls, the experience is profoundly moving. For a more dramatic perspective, helicopter tours are available to those wishing to witness the Falls from the sky.
Hidden Corners and Local Favorites
Toronto rewards those who wander. Beyond the marquee attractions are pockets of local life that offer insight and charm. The Distillery District, once the world’s largest whiskey distillery, now serves as a creative village of cobblestone paths, art galleries, boutique shops, and intimate pubs. It’s an enchanting spot where old-world architecture meets contemporary style.
For those with a taste for exploration, the PATH system is a curiosity in itself—an underground network of shops, eateries, and walkways stretching for 30 kilometers beneath downtown. Perfect for beating the summer heat or navigating the city when weather turns foul.
Food for Every Palate
Toronto’s culinary scene is a tapestry of global flavors. Whether you crave steaming bowls of pho, traditional Ethiopian injera, Japanese omakase, or Quebecois poutine, you’ll find it here. High-end fusion restaurants share blocks with hole-in-the-wall gems known only to locals.
A meal can be as economical or as indulgent as you like. Street eats might run you under $10, while upscale dining experiences can reach $50 or more per person. Some notable neighborhoods for dining include The Annex, Queen West, and the historic St. Lawrence Market area.
After-Hours Energy and Entertainment
When the sun dips, Toronto transforms once again. Its nightlife scene ranges from rooftop lounges and underground speakeasies to mega-clubs with cutting-edge sound systems. The Entertainment District is the epicenter of after-hours excitement, drawing tens of thousands every weekend.
Music venues, comedy clubs, and live theater add to the city’s nocturnal appeal. You might find yourself dancing to electronic rhythms at Uniun or catching an indie act at a low-lit venue in the Junction. It’s this versatility that gives Toronto its magnetic pull.
An Invitation to Be Inspired
As WPC 2016 approaches, the city of Toronto prepares to welcome you with open arms and endless opportunity. From the pulse of its tech corridors to the tranquil gardens tucked away in residential enclaves, every corner of the city invites exploration, conversation, and growth.
This conference is more than a professional gathering—it’s a catalyst for new directions. And Toronto, with its layered character and unwavering ambition, is the perfect place to begin.
Exploring Toronto’s Identity Through Iconic Sites
As thousands of industry professionals gather in Toronto for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2016, they’ll find that this thriving metropolis offers more than just business opportunities. With its rich heritage, architectural marvels, and natural landscapes, Toronto invites you to delve into a deeper understanding of its vibrant character. Beyond the walls of the Enercare Centre, the city unfolds like a living map, blending innovation with cultural echoes and modernity with legacy.
Toronto’s skyline, instantly recognizable thanks to the soaring CN Tower, provides a glimpse into its forward-thinking spirit. Yet, scattered between the gleaming towers and winding avenues lie relics and revelations waiting to be discovered. Exploring the city allows attendees of WPC 2016 to forge a stronger connection not just with fellow innovators, but with the essence of the place that hosts them.
The city’s compelling mix of historic landmarks and avant-garde attractions ensures that every visitor leaves with stories that go far beyond the boardroom. Whether it’s standing in the shadow of a castle or peering down from one of the highest observation points in the world, Toronto invites introspection, curiosity, and awe.
The CN Tower: Defining the City’s Skyline
No trip to Toronto is complete without a moment of awe at the CN Tower. Standing at 553.33 meters, this architectural icon serves not only as a telecommunications hub but as a symbol of the city’s boundless ambition. Once the tallest free-standing structure on Earth, it continues to dominate the skyline and captivate hearts.
Visitors can ascend to two observation decks, offering uninterrupted views of Lake Ontario, the city grid, and on clear days, even the misty outline of Niagara Falls in the distance. For those with a thrill-seeking spirit, EdgeWalk presents an unparalleled experience—a tethered walk along a narrow outdoor ledge at over 350 meters high. It’s a feat of both engineering and courage.
For attendees at WPC 2016, an evening visit to the CN Tower becomes a metaphorical gesture: looking outward toward the horizon, contemplating growth and expansion, and literally standing above the ground where deals are being struck and partnerships ignited.
Casa Loma: A Glimpse into Old-World Elegance
Nestled in midtown, Casa Loma offers a momentary departure from the modern cityscape. Built in the early 20th century, this Gothic Revival mansion captures the romanticism of a bygone era. With its stately turrets, secret passageways, and manicured gardens, it evokes a world of aristocratic grandeur that feels almost mythical.
Visitors can wander through its opulent rooms, climb spiral staircases to panoramic views, or stroll through underground tunnels that connect to once-bustling stables. It’s an exquisite contrast to the high-tech atmosphere of WPC and reminds one that visionaries existed long before the digital age—people who dreamed big, built boldly, and left legacies that continue to inspire.
The castle’s resilience and enduring charm resonate deeply with business travelers who understand the value of long-term impact and timeless design.
The Royal Ontario Museum: A Cultural Beacon
The Royal Ontario Museum, affectionately abbreviated as ROM, stands as Canada’s largest and most diverse museum. Its jagged crystal facade, designed by Daniel Libeskind, draws you in with curiosity and wonder. But it’s inside where the treasures truly reside.
With exhibits ranging from prehistoric fossils to global textiles and ancient civilizations, ROM is a vivid reminder that learning is a continuous journey. Business professionals attending WPC 2016 may find surprising parallels between the museum’s exploration of global cultures and the diverse digital solutions emerging across markets today.
Stepping through its halls, you’re confronted by the astonishing breadth of human creativity and resilience—qualities that mirror the very essence of technological innovation.
Ontario Science Centre: Where Curiosity Becomes Experience
Situated a short drive from downtown, the Ontario Science Centre is a sanctuary for those who cherish discovery. Designed to spark the imagination, this institution is as interactive as it is educational. Exhibits cover everything from human anatomy to renewable energy, and visitors are encouraged to engage directly with installations.
This spirit of hands-on learning and dynamic experimentation aligns perfectly with the ethos of the WPC. Professionals who come to Toronto to immerse themselves in Microsoft’s vision for the future will find in the Science Centre a mirror of that same relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Its planetarium, dome theatre, and live science demonstrations are all reminders that inquiry and wonder go hand in hand with progress.
Toronto Zoo: Conservation Meets Innovation
Another captivating place for visitors is the Toronto Zoo, renowned not only for its wide array of species but also for its commitment to conservation and education. Divided into geographic zones, the zoo simulates natural habitats and showcases biodiversity in a way that is both accessible and profound.
Of particular note is the Giant Panda Experience, where visitors can see these majestic animals up close—a rare opportunity on Canadian soil. For attendees who’ve spent their days navigating cloud platforms and global strategies, a few quiet hours among the flora and fauna can be remarkably restorative.
The zoo’s approach to ecosystem preservation echoes the collaborative mindset fostered at the WPC. Both spheres rely on shared goals, careful planning, and sustainable thinking to ensure a flourishing future.
Niagara Falls: Nature’s Grand Performance
While not within the city limits, Niagara Falls is an essential expedition for anyone visiting Toronto. Just a 90-minute drive south, this monumental cascade of water is a spectacle like no other. Its sheer volume and power—approximately 750,000 gallons per second—have the ability to silence even the most frenetic minds.
At Table Rock, you can peer over the precipice, mesmerized by the roar and shimmer. For those craving intimacy with the Falls, Journey Behind the Falls delivers an elemental experience, placing visitors within meters of the descending sheets of water via a lift that tunnels through solid bedrock. It’s a humbling reminder of nature’s scale and force.
Those with a penchant for flight can opt for a helicopter tour, ascending into the clouds for a breathtaking panorama. In many ways, standing before Niagara Falls is the perfect epilogue to a week spent in high-stakes conversations and product demonstrations. It recalibrates the senses and underscores the importance of awe.
Discovering Toronto’s Hidden Marvels
Beneath the glimmering attractions and bustling avenues lies another Toronto—subtle, nuanced, and intimately known only to locals. For those attending Microsoft WPC 2016, tapping into these hidden veins of the city can yield the most memorable experiences.
One such marvel is PATH, an underground labyrinth that stretches for 30 kilometers beneath the financial district. This subterranean world, replete with boutiques, food courts, and corridors connecting major buildings, is both practical and intriguing. It’s a testament to Toronto’s ingenuity in design, creating comfort and connectivity regardless of season or weather.
Another gem is the Half House on St. Patrick Street—a literal half of a semi-detached home preserved in place. It’s a whimsical and almost surreal landmark that offers a quiet chuckle amidst the steel and glass of downtown.
The Distillery District: Where Past Meets Present
The cobblestone streets of the Distillery District transport visitors to a world preserved in amber. Once home to the largest distillery in the world, this enclave now serves as a haven for creatives, entrepreneurs, and trendsetters. Brick facades frame cafes, galleries, artisan shops, and microbreweries, all exuding a warm, eclectic charm.
It’s not just a photogenic spot—it’s a living, breathing environment where old meets new. Professionals seeking a relaxed evening after a day of sessions will find no better place to sip craft beer, browse contemporary art, or engage in a fireside conversation that unexpectedly sparks a new idea.
The district’s fusion of industrial history and creative vitality echoes the themes of transformation and synergy that define the Microsoft WPC experience.
Venturing into the Neighborhoods
To truly appreciate Toronto, one must venture into its neighborhoods—each a microcosm of global culture and local flavor. In Greektown, souvlaki and honey-drenched pastries await, while Roncesvalles pays homage to Polish traditions with rustic bakeries and quiet parks. The Annex, with its bohemian vibe, invites intellectual dialogue over coffee and vinyl records.
These areas, often overlooked in tourist itineraries, offer a chance to engage with the city at a human scale. Here, the language of community replaces corporate lingo, and the cadence of everyday life becomes both grounding and invigorating.
WPC attendees looking for respite from the buzz of the convention will find these quarters especially inviting. They are places to think, reflect, and perhaps dream a little beyond the next deal or data point.
A Tapestry of Encounters
Toronto is not just a destination; it’s a living narrative—one that interlaces history, culture, nature, and innovation into a singular experience. For those journeying to the city for Microsoft WPC 2016, the real value lies not only in the sessions and exhibits, but in the way Toronto itself becomes an unspoken participant in the event.
By exploring its landmarks, indulging in its quieter corners, and opening up to its myriad voices, visitors will gain far more than professional insight. They’ll come away with a renewed sense of place, purpose, and possibility.
Exploring Toronto’s Vibrant Food Scene and Cultural Diversity
Toronto’s vibrant foodscape mirrors its cosmopolitan soul, offering savants of flavor a plethora of gastronomic experiences. Little India tantalizes the senses with sizzling tandoori, fragrant curries, and street vendors selling aromatic spices that waft along Gerrard Street. Nearby Chinatown brims with boulevards of dim sum parlors, herbal shops, and neon signs that illuminate narrow alleys. Each bite taken in these enclaves reflects generations of tradition and adaptation. In contrast, trendy restaurants in Ossington Avenue and Queen West showcase avant-garde fusion cuisine—melding Korean, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Quebecois influences into dishes that defy easy categorization.
For conference attendees who crave comfort food after long hours immersed in sessions, poutine topped with melting cheese curds and gravy or Jamaican patties bursting with spicy beef provide both nostalgia and immediacy. Vegan eateries, gourmet doughnut shops, and artisanal coffee houses pepper the neighborhoods, each presenting a microcosm of global trends brought to life in Toronto’s kitchens.
Within the upscale skyline of downtown, Japanese omakase counters and fine‑dining establishments offer multi-course tasting menus that change with the seasons. Meanwhile, humble bakeries in The Junction or Bloor West Village produce flaky croissants, sourdough loaves, and delicate pastries—a quiet reminder that culinary joy often begins with simplicity.
Discovering Artistic Neighborhoods and Local Oddities
Beyond the big attractions lies an ever-shifting mosaic of creative enclaves. Kensington Market, with its kaleidoscope of vintage fashion stores, vegan cafés, and bohemian street art, pulsates with offbeat energy. It’s the kind of place where you might stumble into a tiki bar next to a used‑book store, or find a poet reciting verse beside a chai‑selling shack. The air there hums with serendipity, making it a beloved haunt for locals and adventurous out‑of‑towners alike.
Walking through Roncesvalles, quiet tree‑lined streets give way to Polish delis and bakeries where almond‑filled babkas and kabanos sausages appear within sight; the aroma alone invites a contemplative pause. Greektown’s Danforth Avenue is alive with tavernas where souvlaki grills crackle, and honey‑drizzled loukoumades greet diners who have journeyed for the authentic taste.
Meanwhile in The Annex, cafés double as impromptu salons where students, professors, and thinkers alike convene. Vinyl records spin in the corner, notebooks lie open on tables, and impassioned discussion is almost a dado that frames the décor. It’s a neighborhood conducive to contemplation—a balsamic‑sweet counterpoint to high‑octane conference days.
Celebrated Landmarks with Local Flair
Destinations like Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum remain such points of fascination that visiting them becomes practically obligatory. But for subtler rewards, seek out the half‑house on St. Patrick Street, a peculiar structure literally slice‑shaped by mid‑19th‑century zoning quirks. It stands as a miniature monument to Toronto’s quirky history.
Paths through Riverdale Park offer expansive views across the city skyline, punctuated by cherry blossoms in spring or fiery maples in fall. Public skating rinks nestle within parks even in warmer months, serving as communal hubs where city dwellers gather for nostalgia or recreation. PATH, the subterranean network beneath the financial core, is itself a marvel—carrying the pulse of commerce while sheltering pedestrians from Toronto weather, combining function with unexpected design elegance.
In the Distillery District, brick‑paved lanes wind past Victorian red‑brick buildings converted into joint studios, microbreweries, and art ateliers. Patrons sip craft beer or small‑batch gin under fairy lights in patios, while jazz musicians occasionally set up on cobblestone corners. It’s a place where Toronto’s industrial past coexists harmoniously with creative reinvention.
Cultural Synchronicity in Everyday Life
If Toronto’s landmarks share lessons in innovation and endurance, its festivals tell stories of diaspora, creativity, and conviviality. TIFF, the internationally renowned film festival, transforms the city into a hub of cinematic ambition each September—screening premieres in theaters across downtown while pop‑up installations bloom in squares and alleys. Induced by seasonal arts, impromptu music performances spill onto sidewalks, reviving urban breathing spaces.
Poetry slams, contemporary dance showcases, and micro‑gallery exhibitions pepper galleries in Queen West and the Ossington strip. Street art animations and murals converge at Graffiti Alley—vivid murals that shift with new commissions, each redefining Toronto’s collective canvas. For delegates looking to decompress after intense WPC days, these creative venues offer a visual and emotional palette cleanser.
Eating, Drinking, and Networking After Hours
Dinner and networking often blend during the WPC evenings, and Toronto’s neighborhoods provide atmospheric settings outside the conference environment. The Distillery District’s pubs and eateries offer intimate backdrops where professionals can linger over curated flights of craft beer or thoughtful wine pairings. Some venues host acoustic musical sets, complementing casual conversation with mellow rhythms.
In the Entertainment District, lounge bars and rooftop terraces invite night owls to toast under ambient lighting with skyline views. Join the mix at places where DJ sets or jazz duos animate the night, or where themed cocktail menus evoke botanical complexity. These after‑hours experiences blend social warmth with urban sophistication—perfect for turning passing acquaintances into enduring connections.
Some venues in Midtown, particularly along Bloor Street and Yorkville, deliver elevated experiences: tasting menus, sommelier‑guided pairings, and dishes plated like living art. While costs can edge toward the high end, the culinary creativity and service synergy make meals feel like experiences rather than transactions.
Weekend Explorations Beyond Downtown
For those able to extend their stay, day trips—or even hours spent outside downtown—offer remarkable returns. The Toronto Islands beckon as a peaceful respite: car‑free, verdant, and lapped by Lake Ontario’s calm waters. Ferries run frequently, and once there, you enter a realm of picnickers, bicyclists, sculpted lawns, and glimpses back toward the city’s skyline. It’s especially restorative after several intense days at the conference.
Nearby, the Junction and Stockyards neighborhood holds unexpected treasures: small‑batch breweries, warehouse‑turned‑galleries, and pop‑up markets selling crafts and finds curated by local makers. Little India and Little Portugal further south promise pastel‑pink bakeries, spice shops, and cafés where conversations drift easily between languages and table linens.
Evening strolls along the Harbourfront, with its lighted promenades and ambient installations, offer meditative reprieve. The breeze from the lake mingles with ambient bowls of street food from vendors, making for a sensory, communal rhythm that contrasts nicely with structured conference time.
Nurturing Insights Through Immersive Encounters
For WPC delegates, the creative districts and gastronomic corridors of Toronto are more than just diversions—they are spaces of discovery, reflection, and conversation. Observing how the city’s cultural DNA blends immigrant narratives, inventive entrepreneurship, and collaboration can serve as a parallel to the ethos of Microsoft’s global partner ecosystem.
Consider a breakout discussion over Ethiopian injera and stewed lentils in Danforth, or an impromptu brainstorming session over matcha lattes at a cafe in The Annex. These juxtapositions—where business meets narrative, flavor marries community—help sharpen perspectives and inspire fresh thinking.
Sudden insights often emerge when least expected: during a stroll past public art, in the queue for a beloved bakery, or while overhearing a mural conversation in Kensington. Toronto’s less obvious corners, when explored with curiosity, reward travelers with richness precisely because they diverge from the expected highlights.
A Deeper Connection with Toronto
As busy days unfold in conference halls, the call of Toronto’s diverse culture, inventive spirit, and local authenticity grows stronger. Dining among expatriates sharing stories across tables, walking through alleys painted in cobalt and tangerine, or watching a jazz bassist play in a heritage courtyard—these experiences create emotional tangents that linger beyond the WPC agenda.
By engaging with the city’s culinary mosaic, artistic enclaves, and neighborhood ethos, visitors don’t just see Toronto—they feel it. This intensifies the professional pilgrimage, turning it into something qualitatively richer.
Practical Advice and Unexpected Treasures in Toronto
Arriving in Toronto for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2016 offers you access to a world-class corporate event—but to extract its fullest resonance, embracing the city’s subtler rhythms is equally vital. Beyond the polished facilities of the Enercare Centre and keynote halls, Toronto’s lived culture, hidden curiosities, and logistical nuances enrich your experience. Savvy visitors who blend business and local insight leave with more than connections—they carry memories woven into the city’s very fabric.
Understanding Toronto’s transportation tapestry begins with its iconic streetcars. Serving as both infrastructure and tradition, the historic red-and-white streetcars glide through major arteries. Riders need exact fare or pre-purchased tokens—operators do not carry change, and fares are surprisingly economical, offering efficient travel across downtown and beyond. When time is of the essence, the subway lines and buses provide complementary access across neighborhoods. Services like Uber and traditional taxis are plentiful, while rental agencies like Avis dot the city for those requiring self-drive flexibility.
Currency in Toronto is the Canadian Dollar. While most businesses accept credit cards, some smaller food stalls or local vendors prefer cash. Knowing the essentials helps circumvent minor hiccups—such as needing exact fare for public transit or carrying small bills for artisanal markets.
Language is another detail that reveals Toronto’s character. While English is widely used, many residents speak French, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, or Italian due to the city’s rich immigrant heritage. This multilingual possible reflects Toronto’s ethos—global yet grounded, familiar yet surprising. A courteous greeting in another language often elicits warm smiles or helpful directions, reinforcing a spirit of openness and curiosity.
Local temperature averages in July climb to around 31°C. The sun lingers late into the evening, offering long daylight hours ideal for strolls through Riverdale Park or Piazza in the Distillery District. Knowing the time zone—Eastern Standard Time, UTC/GMT minus five—ensures synchrony between your home office, remote contacts, or internal device settings.
Toronto’s culinary ecosystem rewards those eager to probe. Midtown areas such as Yorkville offer refined dining accompanied by attentive sommelier service. Expect meticulously plated tasting menus at high-end dining rooms, their cost offset by inventive pairings and elevated ambiance. For a livelier impression of city life, ethnically rooted eateries thrive in Greektown, Little India, and Chinatown. These neighborhoods offer more than just food—they present immersion: vibrant streets brimming with color, spice markets filled with unfamiliar produce, and eateries where conversations double as cultural exchange.
If carving out solo time appeals—whether for reflection or leisure—the Toronto Islands provide serenity just minutes from the city. A brief ferry ride transports you to car-free landscapes with ferris wheels, manicured lawns, and panoramic views of the skyline. Many vendors offer rental bicycles, allowing travelers to pedal, picnic, and savor calm hours in natural company.
Delving deeper, wander into The Junction or Stockyards neighborhoods to discover microbreweries housed in repurposed warehouses, pop-up craft markets, and cafes that double as experimental art galleries. These enclaves—off the radar for most visitors—evoke a sense of discovery and local authenticity. Here, a deceptively simple coffee can taste revelatory amid murals and reclaimed decor.
Toronto’s hidden peculiarities invite bemusement and intrigue. Look for the literal half‑house on St. Patrick Street, an architectural oddity sliced by 19th-century regulations. Finding it feels serendipitous, a micro-moment of wonder hidden in plain sight. Or descend into PATH, the 30‑kilometer subterranean labyrinth linking ATMs, food courts, corporate towers, and boutique shops—a marvel of urban planning that protects from heatwaves or torrential rain while keeping business corridors vibrant.
Evening entertainment during the conference can extend seamlessly into local cultural expression. Pubs in the Distillery District offer microbrews beneath fairy-lit brick alleys. Rooftop bars overlooking the skyline invite travelers to toast over cocktails infused with botanical essences. Jazz musicians sometimes gather in courtyards, and impromptu open-mic storytellers appear in vaulted rooms. In contrast, in the Entertainment District clubs pulse with electronic and techno music beneath massive LED installations, fostering atmospheres that encourage spontaneous connection over curated lighting effects.
For attendees interested in elevating dialog or networking subtly, quiet nooks in local cafes such as those in The Annex provide conducive atmospheres. Their subdued auras and frequented by local thinkers, students, and professors offer not only caffeine but cerebral companionship—occasions to spark ideas or refine impressions encountered during conference sessions.
One of the most impactful ways to experience Toronto after WPC is through festivals and communal gatherings. Should your travel align with events like the Toronto International Film Festival, summer street fanfares, or pop-up culinary fairs, you’ll trade the structured cadence of corporate schedules for open-ended festivity. Here, the city’s cultural energy spills onto sidewalks, where film screenings, street art projections, dance troupes, and artisanal stalls converge into joyful chaos.
Toronto’s parks deliver restorative respite. Trinity Bellwoods and Riverdale Park are leafy sanctuaries where joggers, families, and impromptu drum circles share space. On warm afternoons, you might discover chess players on benches or watercolor artists sketching the skyline from a bluff by Lake Ontario. Such places cleanse the mind and steady the pace between intense conference days.
Those planning cross-communications across time zones or remote demos during WPC will appreciate noting Toronto’s relative time to major hubs. UTC/GMT minus five aligns it with New York, and knowing this anchoring helps coordinate calls without confusion. The city’s reliable LTE and Wi‑Fi coverage ensure connectivity whether in high-rise lobbies or artisanal cafés.
For meals, budget-conscious attendees often find satisfaction in neighborhood favorites where meals range from modest to mid-level pricing. Jamaican patties, budget ramen-ya stalls, and food trucks at St. Lawrence Market offer satiating flavors without pretense. Conversely, for special dinners, fine dining venues employ chefs from diverse backgrounds, fusing textures and techniques into plates that feel like edible narratives.
Even modest gestures can create memorable interactions: offering a smile at a taco stand in Kensington, asking a vendor about kangaroo sausage at a night market (yes, that’s a thing), or choosing to take a streetcar across a bridge just to glimpse sunset on its windows. These granular experiences add layers beyond networking and keynote attendance—they transform travel into immersion.
Toronto’s embrace of creative enterprise is visible throughout its public art. Murals in Graffiti Alley shift with new commissions, each one layering the urban canvas with fresh meaning. At local galleries, you may discover emerging artists whose installations echo themes of migration, memory, and digital societies—parallels that resonate with WPC attendees shaping the future of technology.
By integrating moments of serendipity—exploring a half‑carved house, lingering in a craft brewery, or watching the sun set over Lake Ontario—you’ll cultivate a travel narrative far richer than keynote transcripts can deliver. These discoveries shape an experiential nuance that amplifies the professional milestones achieved during Microsoft WPC 2016.
Upon leaving Toronto, you may carry back not just business cards and insights, but a tapestry of impressions: meals shared on multicultural streets, wandering conversations in art‑lined alleys, jazz notes drifting through the Distillery District at twilight. Those echoes endure—long after the conference ends—as reminders that innovation thrives when curiosity is cultivated, and dialogue between worlds becomes possible.
Conclusion
Toronto’s role as the host city for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2016 offered far more than just a platform for technological discussion and global networking. It was a convergence of innovation, urban culture, and meaningful experience wrapped in the unmistakable character of Canada’s most cosmopolitan metropolis. From the structured brilliance of the Enercare Centre to the meandering charm of hidden laneways and vibrant neighborhoods, attendees encountered a world where business acumen and cultural immersion naturally coexisted.
Through thoughtful exploration, it became clear that Toronto is not only a city of towering architecture and landmark attractions like the CN Tower and Royal Ontario Museum, but also a space humming with personality—from the surreal experience of walking on a glass floor above the skyline to sharing quiet moments in local cafés or strolling along the PATH’s underground passages. Its multicultural fabric wove seamlessly into the conference experience, allowing visitors to indulge in culinary delights across Little India, Greektown, and Chinatown, and absorb artistic vibrancy in Kensington Market, The Junction, or the graffiti-laced backstreets west of Spadina.
The WPC environment invited dialogue, innovation, and partnership, while Toronto’s atmosphere grounded that excitement with human connection, scenic beauty, and urban rhythm. Insights gleaned from keynote speakers found new depth in conversations held over craft beer or late-night jazz; partnerships were catalyzed not only in breakout rooms but also on ferry rides to the Toronto Islands or over spontaneous chats in Victorian alleyways. The accessibility of the city’s transit, friendliness of its residents, and unpredictable charm of its urban corners all played a role in creating an experience that was both high-impact and personally resonant.
Whether through rare facts about the half-house on St. Patrick Street, architectural grandeur at Casa Loma, or breathtaking power at Niagara Falls, visitors were constantly reminded that Toronto is a place of layered narratives. These moments, however small or fleeting, blended into a broader sense of purpose that elevated the conference’s goals. Every interaction and observation contributed to a deeper understanding—not only of Microsoft’s evolving vision but of a city that reflects the same diversity, adaptability, and forward momentum as the technology shaping our future.
As the conference concludes and attendees carry their momentum back to offices and innovation labs across the globe, what lingers is not merely a collection of notes or new contacts, but a multidimensional impression. It is the realization that success in technology today is as much about understanding context, culture, and collaboration as it is about products or platforms. Toronto, with its dynamic pulse and generous spirit, served as the ideal backdrop for that realization—turning a professional gathering into an unforgettable journey.