The International Centre is privately owned and hosts over 450 shows and events each year.

[1] Opened in 1972, the centre's exhibit space nearly doubled from the original 260,000 square feet (24,000 m2) following a major expansion and renovation in 2002.

The centre now features over 548,000 square feet (50,900 m2) of exhibit and meeting space and approximately one million square feet (93,000 m2) floor area which includes exhibit, meeting, office and retail space.

The International Centre is closely linked to Canada's aviation history.

The site was purchased by a group of private investors from DeHavilland in 1971, which led to the development of its present use today, as a major multi-purpose facility.