What Is IAB Canada State of the Nation?

State of the Nation is IAB Canada's flagship annual summit, an event where Canada's digital advertising industry takes a clear-eyed look at where things actually stand.

In 2026, the event is expanding significantly. For the first time, it becomes a full-day conference, running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, 123 Queen Street West. Two parallel programming tracks run simultaneously, and delegates choose their path when they register.

The organizing principle: No distractions. Just insights and conversations that matter.

Two Tracks, One Big Industry Question

The 2026 summit is structured around two parallel tracks. Delegates select their preferred stream at registration, as seating is limited.

Track 1: State of the Economy, Regulatory Pressures & Geopolitical Impacts
Created for leaders who need to understand the constraints and context shaping Canadian digital advertising over the next 12 to 24 months. Economic uncertainty, privacy legislation, regulatory change, and geopolitical complexity are all on the table.

Track 2: Emerging Opportunities, the Supply Chain, Sight, Sound & Motion
A forward-looking track focused on where the next generation of digital advertising opportunity lives. Streaming, CTV, retail media, AI-driven creative, and the evolving programmatic supply chain are central themes.

“

Canada's digital advertising economy has crossed $21 billion. What happens next is being decided in rooms like this one.

A “Must Attend” Event in 2026

The timing carries weight. June 23 falls squarely in the middle of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Canada hosting matches in Toronto and Vancouver throughout the month. At that time the Canadian national team will still be competing for a spot in the knockout rounds.

The convergence of a home World Cup, a rapidly evolving CTV landscape, and an industry navigating AI-driven transformation makes this year's State of the Nation one of the most strategically important gatherings for anyone in Canadian media.

It's not a coincidence that IAB Canada chose 2026 to expand the event to a full day.

“

The State of the Nation brings together the sharpest minds in Canadian digital advertising to talk about what's actually happening. Roku is proud to be part of that conversation - especially in a year when streaming and live sports are rewriting the playbook at the same time.

Event Details

Roku and IAB Canada in 2026

Roku's presence at State of the Nation is part of a broader partnership with IAB Canada this year. Earlier in 2026, Roku and IAB Canada partnered on Master the Stream: Elevate Your CTV Strategy with Roku Academy, where Roku’s VOD Evolution Study and Course 5: Behaviour & Insights were introduced to the industry.

Ivan Pehar, Roku's Ad Sales Director for Canada, also sits on the IAB Canada Board of Directors, reflecting the depth of Roku's commitment to the Canadian digital advertising community.

Arrive Prepared

The State of the Nation conversation will cover where CTV is heading in Canada. If you want to arrive with the foundational knowledge in place, Roku Academy is the starting point.

All six courses: Programmatic Advertising, Roku Audience, Creative Strategies, Data & Analytics, Behaviour & Insights, and the upcoming Sports Marketing are available at RokuAcademy.ca. Each takes approximately 15 minutes. Courses 1–5 are live now; Sports Marketing (Course 6) arrives in early fall 2026. All six are free.