Toronto, ON (September 29, 2023) – The Leaders Circle Recognition Celebration, taking place October 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will honour 24 experts for bringing 13 international meetings to Toronto. These international meetings will gather thousands of global thought-leaders who specialize in a variety of fields, including public policy, poultry science, pathology, soil science, and chemistry.

International meetings play an important role in our region’s economy and community. They foster innovation, promote cross-cultural knowledge exchange, and drive economic growth, benefiting Toronto in many crucial ways. The 13 international meetings are set to generate a combined estimated economic impact exceeding $100 million for the region. Economic impact is created when people who live outside of Toronto spend money in the city, for example by staying in a hotel, taking a taxi, eating at a restaurant, and shopping.

This year, the Leaders Circle will even recognize professionals from the United States who have chosen Toronto as their conference location. Their unique decision to choose Toronto speaks volumes about Toronto’s enduring reputation as a top convention destination, and the global standing of Toronto’s universities, institutes, and sectors.

“The international conventions market is extremely competitive, with many cities vying for the same convention. Our strategic collaboration with these leading experts allowed our bids to stand out and ultimately create real and lasting legacies in the region.” said Kathy Nicolay, Leaders Circle Manager. “We hope to shine a spotlight on the power of collaboration and the key impact of international meetings”.

“We would like to thank the 24 exceptional leaders who have devoted their time and expertise to bringing international conferences to Toronto,” said Lorenz Hassenstein “We look forward to continuing to join forces with experts to put Toronto on the world stage and contribute to the strength of our economic sectors.”

Here is a full list of the international conventions and the experts who will be honoured at the Leaders Circle Recognition Celebration:

CAPEX/FIP Conference and Exhibition 2022
June 8-12, 2022
Mr. David McLaughlin – Vice President, Philatelic Specialists Society of Canada

3rd World NCD Non-communicable Diseases Congress
June 25-30, 2023
Dr. Arun Chockalingam – Faculty Member, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Professor Paul McDonald – Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, Senior Fellow, Faculty of Health, Professor of Health, York University

6th International Conference on Public Policy
June 27-29, 2023
Professor Patrizia Albanese – Professor of Sociology, and Interim Vice-Provost of Faculty of Affairs, Toronto Metropolitan University
Professor Ron Vogel – Professor, Grad Program Director, Policy Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University

53rd Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society
September 27-30, 2023
Dr. Magdy Hassouna – Professor, Division of Urology, and Division of Surgery, University of Toronto/ Urologist, University Urology Associates

12th IFAC Symposium on Advanced Control of Chemical Processes- ADCHEM
July 14-17, 2024
Professor Christopher L.E. Swartz – Professor and ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair in Process Automation and Information Technology in the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University

16th International Conference on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
May 16-20, 2025
Dr. Dafna Gladman – Senior Scientist, Krembil Insitute, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network)/Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Dr. Zahi Touma – Scientist, Krembil Insitute, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network)/ Associate Professor of Medicine. Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto
Dr. Murray Urowitz – Rheumatologist, Director of Lupus Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network)

25th Congress of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
July 4-11, 2026
Professor Songnian Li – Professor, Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University
Professor Derek Lichti – Associate Professor, Geomatics Engineering, The University of Calgary
Professor Ahmed Shaker – Professor, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, Cairo Campus
Professor Costas Armenakis – Professor of Geomatics Engineering, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University

27th World Poultry Congress
July 12-16, 2026
Mr. Jon Cole – Director of Business Operations, Poultry Science Association
Dr. Sam Dridi – Dridi Lab, Avian Molecular Genetics and Endocrinology – Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas
Dr. Bruce Rathgeber – Associate Professor, Poultry, and Department Chair; Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University

21st YMCA World Council
July 18-26, 2026
Mr. Peter Dinsdale – President and CEO, YMCA Canada
Ms. Franca D’Angelo – General Manager, National Office at YMCA Canada

29th World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity & Metabolic Disorders
August 31-Sept 5, 2026
Dr. Mehran Anvari – Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster University; Founding Member and Past President of McMaster’s Minimally Invasive Robotic Association (MIRA), the Scientific Director and CEO of the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation (CSii), and the founding director of the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS)/ Professor, Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

20th IUIS World Congress
August 12-18, 2028
Dr. Juan Carlos Zuniga-Pflucker – Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Chair and Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Toronto

37th Congress of the International Academy of Pathology
October 24-29, 2028
Mr. Patrick Flaherty – Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, US and Canadian Academy of Pathology

24th World Congress of Soil Science
July 14-19, 2030
Professor Richard Heck – Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph
Dr. Jacynthe Masse – Research Scientist, Functional Agroecology, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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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 Destination 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 groundbreaking institutions, and leave a legacy of social and economic benefits to the city and region. For more, please visit www.theleaderscircle.ca.

Media enquiries:
Melanie Wade, Social Media and Communications Specialist
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
E: mwade@mtccc.com