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Toronto: It was a night of celebration forToronto’s success in the International Business Events industry, and those key individuals who led the charge in putting the city on the world conference stage. June 16 marked the inaugural Recognition Gala of the Leaders Circle, Toronto’s official Ambassador Program supported by Tourism Toronto and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). Held at MTCC, the momentous occasion drew together members of the tourism, business, and higher education communities, as well as leading professionals across a spectrum of industries who each had a hand in bringing their respective global colleagues to the city.
Also celebrated at the event was the first ever award presentation of the Leaders Circle Grant, a program established to acknowledge the efforts of those who led a convention meeting bid for Toronto, and to award funds to an organization or institution to support research and innovation. On hand to accept the grant at the Recognition Gala was Dr. Katerina Pavenski of St. Michael’s Hospital. Pavenski also serves as a Leaders Circle Ambassador for her work in spearheading the efforts involved in bringing the 35th International Congress of the International Society for Blood Transfusion to Toronto.
“Innovative research in Ontario has lasting, transformative global implications. That is why it is important we celebrate the personal contributions of Ambassadors: people dedicated to furthering this wealth of knowledge and showcasing our province to the world,” said Ontario Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, and Leaders Circle Honorary Ambassador, Reza Moridi. “Our government is committed to continue to bring together a diverse group of experts in academia, life sciences and new technologies to provide a platform for our leading researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators to shine.”
“Ambassadors of the Leaders Circle are, in many cases, pioneers in research and advancements in their fields,” said Johanne Bélanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “It is their passion, dedication, and time that drive our success in hosting international meetings, which bolsters Toronto’s standing as an exciting and globally recognized hub for research and innovation.”
Over the course of the evening, the Leaders Circle shone a light on 30 Ambassadors for their integral contribution in bringing 26 international association meetings in Toronto, nine of which took place from 2012 to 2015, and 17 future meetings scheduled to take place from 2016 to 2019. It was announced, that the total economic impact to the city of Toronto of these meetings is estimated at over $200 million.
“When Toronto hosts international meetings, we welcome globally recognized leaders and foster new business relationships and collaborations that lead to the development of new products, science and innovation in this city,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO of MTCC. “The Leaders Circle ensures Toronto will continue to have these opportunities that leave a legacy of social and economic benefits.”
Award recipients from the 2016 Leaders Circle Recognition Gala
Dr. Eric Bouffet
15th International Symposium on Paediatric Neuro-Oncology, 2012
Dr. Sandra E. Black
2013 International Society of Vascular Behavioural and Cognitive Disorders Congress
Dr. Arjun Sahgal
2013 International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Congress
Dr. Eric Bouffet
46th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, 2014
Dr. Denis Daneman
2014 Meeting of the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes
Mr. Geoffrey Languedoc
2014 International Astronautical Congress
Mr. Philip C. Mendes da Costa
AIPPI 2014 44th World Intellectual Property Congress
Dr. Tony Easty
2015 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Dr .David Jaffray
2015 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Sam Schulman
2015 Congress of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Dr. K.W. Michael Siu
21st Annual International Mass Spectrometry Conference, 2016
Mr. Franklin Smith
17th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 2016
Dr. Vera Bril
14th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases, 2016
Dr. Mustafa Koc
XIV World Congress of Rural Sociology, 2016
Dr. Peter Laussen
8th World Congress on Paediatric Intensive and Critical Care, 2016
Dr. Peter Cox
8th World Congress on Paediatric Intensive and Critical Care, 2016
Dr. MichaeI S. Pollanen
21st Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, 2017
Dr. Laurie Mazurik
20th WADEM Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine, 2017
Ms. Rebecca Jamieson
World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, 2017
Ms. Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald
World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, 2017
Dr. Patrizia Albanese
2018 International Sociological Association World Congress of Sociology
Dr. Denise D. Belsham
9th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology, 2018
Dr. Michael G. Fehlings
2018 Symposium of the International Neurotrauma Society
Dr. Robert Hegele
2018 International Symposium on Atherosclerosis
Dr. Scott Heximer
2018 International Symposium on Atherosclerosis
Dr. Harry Janssen
2018 International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease
Dr. Jordan Feld
2018 International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease
Dr. Gwen Clarke
35th International Congress of the International Society for Blood Transfusion Toronto, 2018
Dr. Katerina Pavenski
35th International Congress of the International Society for Blood Transfusion Toronto, 2018
Dr. Frances A. Shepherd
IASLC 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer, 2018
Dr. Michael G. Fehlings
2019 Global Spine Congress
Mr. Jost am Rhyn
44th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, 2019
About the Leaders Circle
The Leaders Circle program partners with top thinkers, innovators, and researchers throughout the Toronto region to bring international meetings to the city. These meetings showcase Toronto as a place of innovation, excellence and opportunity. Supported by the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Tourism Toronto, the Leaders Circle ensures Toronto hosts international meetings that provide a transfer of knowledge, build on the city’s global reputation, promote innovation and ground breaking institutions, and leave a legacy of social and economic benefits to the city and region. For more, please visit www.theleaderscircle.ca.
About Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,100 members established to sell and market the greater Toronto region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travellers around the globe. Tourism Toronto operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association. For more information please visit www.seetorontonow.com.
About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 31 years, the Centre has hosted over 18,000 events, entertained more than 55 million guests and has added $5.1 billion in direct spending to the community. For further information, please visit mtccc.com.
Media Contact:
Kathy Nicolay
Leaders Circle Manager
416-585-8178
KNICOLAY@THELEADERSCIRCLE.CA