(xxx)Media Advisory(xxx) - IBM leads discussion on smarter cities at Toronto Forum for Global Cities

TORONTO, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - The world's great cities are unsustainable on their current path. Half the planet's population now lives in cities and that number will quickly hit two-thirds, placing incredible strain on the already-over-burdened systems and aging infrastructures that cities require to function.

On Tuesday, November 10th IBM will join leading experts to discuss urban challenges, helping to define the problem and identify potential solutions.

What:        Smarter Cities Forum (part of the Toronto Forum for Global
                 Cities conference held from November 9-10, 2009)

    When:        Tuesday, November 10, 2009
                 8:30 am - noon

    Where:       Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building
                 255 Front St W
                 Toronto, ON
                 M5V 2W6

    Key sessions at the Smarter Cities Forum include:

    Keynote Address - 8:35 a.m.

    Dan Fortin, President, IBM Canada
    Mr. Fortin will highlight what role technology will play in the future
state of our cities and how technology can be used to help build cities and
ensure a viable future.

    Innovation Nations Panel - 9:00 a.m.

    How do we harness the power of our metropolitan areas to ensure urban
sustainability and healthy economic growth in an increasingly interconnected
world?

    Moderator: Courtney Pratt, Chair. & CEO Toronto Region Research Alliance

    Panelists:
                 -   Warren Jestin, Chief Economist, Scotia Bank
                 -   Eliot Phillipson, President, Canadian Foundation for
                     Innovation
                 -   Thomas Menino, Mayor of Boston
                 -   Dan Fortin, President IBM Canada

    Smarter Economic Development Roundtable - 10:35 a.m.

    Traditional ways of attracting growth have changed. How can companies and
government organizations leverage their knowledge to attract new jobs and
skills to their regions?

    Moderator: Chris Gibbon, Vice President, Global Social Services & Social
    Security, IBM Global

    Panelists:
                 -   Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and
                     Trade, Government of Ontario
                 -   Jean Lemierre, Advisor to the Chairman, BNP Paribas
                 -   Len Brittain, President Elect, GFOA (Chicago) & Dir.,
                     Corp. Finance Div. Toronto

    Smarter Public Safety Roundtable - 10:35 a.m.

    What is the division between public safety and privacy? How can technology
help balance this struggle and what do policy makers need to do to ensure both
needs are met?

    Moderator: Paul McCullough, Business Unit Executive, Public Safety and
    Defense, IBM Canada

    Panelists:
                 -   Vince Gavin, Deputy Chief, Chicago Office of Emergency
                     Management and Communications
                 -   Darryl Plecas, RCMP Academic Research Chairman,
                     University of Fraser Valley
                 -   Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner of
                     Ontario

    Smarter Energy Roundtable - 10:35 a.m.

    How does intelligence help utilities and citizens make smarter and
responsible choices surrounding energy generation, distribution and usage?

    Moderator: Michael Valocchi, Global Industry Leader, Energy and
    Utilities, IBM Global

    Panelists:
                 -   Carmine Marcello, Vice President, Asset Management,
                     Hydro One
                 -   Pamela Nowina, Vice-Chair, Ontario Energy Board
                 -   Anthony Haines, President and CEO, Toronto Hydro
                     Corporation
                 -   Paul Murphy, President and CEO, Independent Electricity
                     System Operator (IESO)

All sessions are open to media and media interviews with IBM spokespeople are available upon request.

For further information: To RSVP or to schedule any interviews please contact: Leslie Plant, IBM Media relations, [phone], [e-mail]; Victoria Zigelman, Ketchum, on behalf of IBM Canada, [phone], [e-mail]