All week it had been the scholars’ beer garden – a grassy sanctuary of warm chatter and cold draught for the crowds of delegates who descended on Brock to attend Congress 2014, Canada’s largest annual gathering of scholars.

But around 2:30 pm Friday, the place was overrun by a different crowd. As Congress delegates slipped away and made for home, an army of weary, happy Brock staff, faculty and students took over the summery tavern in Jubilee Court – hundreds of workers and volunteers who collectively helped pull off what some veteran academics called the best Congress ever.

It was an afternoon barbecue to salute the workers who did the myriad tasks that need to happen seamlessly – much of it behind the scenes and out of sight – when more than 8,000 guests drop in for a huge, bustling conference that took two years of planning and preparation.

The beer continued to flow and grills were smoking as Congress organizers and University officials took turns at the mike to pay tribute to the jubilant workers.

Academically, the week was a clear triumph, as more than 8,500 registered participants in the Humanities and Social Sciences made it the largest Congress in memory, presenting more than 10,000 papers and participating in hundreds of workshops, lectures, roundtables and receptions. Having this many visitors was also a boon for local businesses.

Organizers estimate Congress has a $10-million impact on the economy of its host community, and this week local hotels had more than 3,000 room nights booked, while taxi drivers, transit buses and downtown restaurants also felt a surge in business. The University had more than 8,000 room nights booked in residences all week, and officials say more than 100 paid temporary jobs were created for students, alumni and community members.