City of Markham - Special City Events

Event Description:

Markham is proud to be the host city of this world-class motorsport festival happening from August 14-16, 2026. The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will be the largest sporting event York Region has hosted, and the weekend promises to be filled with high-speed and action-packed excitement.

This is your opportunity to be a part of something thrilling, historic, and absolutely unforgettable. The City of Markham in collaboration with Destination Markham will have various volunteer roles to create a positive visitor experience.

To find out more about the event please visit: Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham | City of Markham

Required Skills:

We are looking for volunteers who:

• Enjoy interacting with people and providing excellent customer service
• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Are approachable, reliable, and team-oriented
• Demonstrate professionalism and initiative
• Work effectively independently and collaboratively
• Have an interest in tourism, events, hospitality, or community engagement
• Previous volunteer or customer service experience is considered an asset

Key Duties - Visitor Experience Ambassadors

• Welcome and engage with visitors at key event locations
• Provide information about Markham attractions, dining, entertainment, and tourism destinations
• Assist visitors with directions and wayfinding support
• Support visitor information areas and activation booths
• Promote Downtown Markham, Main Street Unionville, and surrounding attractions
• Answer visitor questions in a professional and friendly manner
• Assist with promotional activities, contests, and community engagement initiatives
• Support event set-up and tear-down activities as needed
• Represent Destination Markham and the City of Markham with professionalism and enthusiasm

Date/Times: Saturday August 15th, 2026

There are 3 shifts available, please select one(s) that apply.  You will be assigned a time and location/station to volunteer at a later date. Please check your email.

• Morning 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
• Afternoon 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Early evening 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Location:

Markham Pan Am Centre and Surrounding Areas

16 Main St Unionville, Markham, ON L3R 0W7

Volunteers may be assigned to support at various locations, including:

• Event entrances and exits
• High-traffic spectator areas
• Shuttle stop locations
• Destination Markham / City activation booths
• Downtown Markham visitor information areas
• Main Street Unionville visitor information areas
• Inside event grounds and track-adjacent areas
• Other support related sites

Uniform:

• Event Volunteer T-shirt - will be provided at your first shift
• Black, white or red shorts/pants
• No ripped jeans or cut off shorts allowed
• Comfortable walking or running shoes
• Hat is optional - no large logos or messaging on hat

Requirements: 

• General Online Orientation Workshop
• AODA online training
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
• Interview – Event Assistant or higher
• Review the Code of Conduct for Recreation facilities [PDF]
• 16 + years of age or older
• Volunteer the whole duration of your shift
• Attend mandatory Orientation Training, 2 hours in person, at Milliken Mills CC, either on the evening of Aug 10th, Aug 11th OR Aug 12th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
• Complete mandatory one-hour online training. Logon to your MyImpact page, select City of Markham Special Events (as Organization) and go to Training and complete Honda Indy - Tourism Ready: Markham 101. If you do not already have Special Events as a department, please see our website, and see step 1 to add it.

Mandatory Training Requirements: 

• Attend mandatory Orientation Training (2 hours in person, location/date TBD between Aug 10-13)
• Complete 1-hour online Markham Ambassador/Tourism Ready: Markham 101 training (online, prior to in person training)
• Includes event orientation, visitor experience training, and site familiarization
• Training materials and event information will be provided in advance to help volunteers feel prepared and confident in their role.

For more information about the volunteer requirements please check our website. To check your qualifications please click the “My profile” tab and then “Qualifications”. 

How to volunteer:

 "Sign-up" if you are interested in this position and meet the qualifications. You can check your sign up status in the 'MY SCHEDULE' tab in your account. If assigned, click 'Confirm'  to confirm your attendance. You will also find details by clicking the (i) information link. Please do not attend the activity until you are assigned and confirmed in the program.

Your Supervisor Contact: 

Markham Volunteering

Email: volunteering@markham.ca