Toronto, ON: For the sixth time in more than 50 years, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is holding their Annual Meeting in Toronto. This year marks the association’s 168^th gathering, and the city-wide convention will be housed within the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from May 16-20. As more than 11,000 attendees are expected from around the world, the meeting is expected to infuse the local economy with an estimated $31million. In addition, the event will bring a direct contribution to one of the city’s most well know charitable organizations, Covenant House Toronto. Through the APA Give Back program, an initiative which sets out to support a local organization within the community of each Annual Meeting’s host city, Covenant House Toronto is expected to receive more than $24,000.

APA’s first Annual Meeting dates back to 1844, and following more than 150 years of success, the highly anticipated event continues to draw mental health professionals and advocates together for several days of discovery, education, and networking. Against the dynamic backdrop of Toronto, this year’s meeting will bring attendees a well rounded and exciting experience.

 “We are excited about being in Toronto this May,” said APA President Paul Summergrad, M.D. “We meet in Canada about every 10 years and Toronto has been a highly regarded destination. It’s easy for most attendees to get to, it is beautiful and cosmopolitan with a richly diverse international culture, and it’s a walkable and accessible city. Having gone to medical school just across the border in Buffalo, it is personally meaningful for me to be returning to a city that that I came to know well during my education.”

For five days, MTCC will serve as the meeting grounds for thousands of professionals looking to hear from renowned industry leaders and reconnect with peers. More than 160 exhibits will be featured on the exhibit floor, allowing attendees to discover exciting technologies and learn about new therapies and treatment options.

 “The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘Psychiatry: Integrating Body and Mind, Heart and Soul,’ a reflection of the deep connection between psychiatry and general medicine,” Summergrad said. “Many of the best minds in the field will be presenting thought-provoking studies and presentations of the best science in psychiatry throughout the event.  It will be the premier psychiatric event globally, and the benefit to our members and the many psychiatrists who will join us from throughout the world is immeasurable.”

As the world’s largest and long-serving psychiatric organization settles into Toronto, MTCC has readied the welcome mat to usher APA into its ample meeting space of more than 600,000 sq ft.

“As we welcome APA for their 168^th Annual Meeting, I believe the association’s return to Toronto is a testament to our city’s appeal as an exciting world-class destination,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the MTCC. “It was also wonderful to learn of the APA Give Back program and its decision to donate to Covenant House Toronto. APA’s contribution will undoubtedly benefit the 3,000 at-risk and homeless youth who turn to this vital organization each year.”
 
About the American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. For further information, please visit http://www.psychiatry.org/.
 
About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's number one convention and trade show facility. Over the past 30 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 enquiries:
Christine Tse                                                 
Metro Toronto Convention Centre             
T: (416) 585-8106                                
E: ctse@mtccc.com