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The tables are stacked, the chairs put away and the pop-up banners rolled up, and now the results are in from another Rendez-vous Canada (RVC). The 2010 model of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)-led event—at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg, MB, May 8 to 12—generated an estimated $340 million in business transactions.

Some 1,200 international tourism industry leaders gathered for a series of speed-dating-style appointments at the marketplace. International buyers sought the best-matched Canadian tourism sellers. The end result: travellers get to chose from the best selection of Canadian experiences.

There were also presentations aplenty by reps from CTC’s 12 key markets, with social media dominating much of the chatter. From Twitter feeds to Facebook pages, uploading videos to YouTube to commenting on Flickr photos, one of the most popular ways for industry to engage consumers is joining online conversations.

The past year has been a roller-coaster ride for the tourism industry. Challenges, such as the H1N1 Flu Virus outbreak and a global economic recession, were the dips before the huge upswing generated by global exposure from the 2010 Winter Games that placed Canada centre on the world stage.

“We hosted 18,000-plus appointments, connecting partners and clients to create relationships that will differentiate Canada in a competitive marketplace,” says Michele McKenzie, CTC president and CEO. “The outcomes from this year’s Rendez-vous Canada are exceptional, and we look forward to seeing these newly forged alliances in action.”

Parlez-vous français?: Rendez-vous Canada 2011 will be held in Québec City, QC, May 15 to 18.