|
TORONTO, ONTARIO – The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) will become a place of letters and learning next week when it plays host to more than 12,000 literacy professionals from around the world attending the 52nd Annual Convention of the International Reading Association (IRA).
The convention will run from May 13-17, 2007 and the MTCC anticipates this major convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto’s hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact of approximately $19.2 million in direct spending.
Designed as the premier opportunity for the worldwide professional literacy community to meet and share their knowledge, ideas, concerns and successes in the promotion of literacy, learning and teaching, the IRA Annual Convention is held each spring in a North American city. Attendees will participate in a wide range of sessions, workshops, symposia and institutions conducted by leaders in reading and related fields – authors, illustrators, teacher educators, classroom practitioners, researchers, administrators – who share experience that inform and enrich attendees’ efforts on behalf of literacy.
Featured keynote speakers and presenters will include:
- Dawn Anna, Colorado parent and classroom teacher whose daughter, Lauren Townsend, was killed in the 1999 Columbine school massacre, and Academy Award-nominated actress Debra Winger, who played Ms. Anna in the Lifetime television movie “Dawn Anna”. Ms. Anna and Ms. Winger will talk about preventing school violence, dealing with the aftermath of school violence, and overcoming adversity in life.
- Authors Ashley Bryan, who wrote books such as the Coretta Scott King Award-winning Beautiful Blackbird and Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum, Marc Brown, creator of the beloved “Arthur” series and Daniel Handler, creator of the beloved “Lemony Snicket” series of children’s books, and Alice Hoffman, breast cancer survivor and author of numerous New York Times bestselling novels
- Canadian and Toronto native Craig Kielburger, of Free the Children International, who will discuss how teachers and their students can become involved and positively impact children’s lives around the world
- Sharon Robinson, daughter of legendary baseball hero Jackie Robinson, who broke the colour barrier in Major League Baseball 60 years ago last month. Ms. Robinson will talk about her father’s legacy and the educational program she developed, Breaking Barriers in Sports and in Life, now found in classrooms throughout the U.S. and Canada.
- Ontario Lieutenant Governor The Honourable James K. Bartleman, who will speak about his many literacy initiatives in native communities across the Province and his goal of providing hope to Aboriginal children who need it in their lives.
- Dr. Avis E. Glaze, Chief Student Achievement Officer, and CEO, The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat.
- Ontario’s Minister of Education, The Hon. Kathleen Wynne
The theme of this year’s meeting is “Literacy Without Boundaries”, and overall the convention will
have more than 600 sessions. Among the topics that will be discussed include: Teaching Reading to Children and Youth Learners of all ages, Teaching Reading and Writing to Adult and English-Language Learners, Using Literature and Providing Access to Books, Using Technology in Reading, Promoting Reading Habits, and Preventing and Overcoming Reading Difficulties.
“The International Reading Association is delighted to convene in Toronto this year,” said Melanie Hughes Younger, Director of Conferences. “What a spectacular backdrop this city will provide for the hundreds of literacy professional development sessions and events the Association offers. We have heard from literacy educators all around the world who indicate that attendance at the IRA Annual Convention in a world-class city such as Toronto is an opportunity not to be missed.”
“We are honoured to be welcoming the champions of literacy to Toronto and to the MTCC,” added Barry Smith, the Centre’s CEO. “The gift of reading and writing are among the greatest ones we can bestow on the world’s children. Every child should know the joy of the written word!”
About the International Reading Association
Founded in 1956, the International Reading Association is a professional membership organization dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction, disseminating research and information about reading, and encouraging the lifetime reading habit. IRA members include classroom teachers, reading specialists, consultants, administrators, supervisors, university faculty, researchers, psychologists, librarians, media specialists, and parents. With members and affiliates in more than 100 countries, IRA’s network extends to more than 350,000 people worldwide. For further information, please visit IRA’s website at www.reading.org.
About the MTCC
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s #1 convention and trade show facility and one of the finest in North America. With more than 2 million square feet of state-of-the-art space, it is considered a world-class, tier-one facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 12,000 events, entertained nearly 40 million guests and has had a multi-billion dollar direct and indirect economic impact on the City and Province.
-- 30 –
For Further Information Please Contact:
Heather Evans Beth Cady
Marketing Manager Public Information Associate, Communications Unit
MTCC IRA
(416) 585-8126 (302) 731-1600 OR (416) 585-3544
|
