TORONTO, May 12 /CNW/ - More than 16,000 of the world's leading
clinicians and researchers in the field of thoracic medicine and respiratory
disease will come together in Toronto next week to discuss the latest findings
and high-profile issues connected with respiratory, critical care and sleep
disorders.
Hailing from more than 90 countries, this prestigious group will be
attending ATS 2008, to be held May 16 to 21 at the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre (MTCC). Presented by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the event is
the world's premier international conference and scientific forum for this
specialty and represents one of the largest gatherings of pulmonary and
critical care clinicians and researchers in the world. The American Thoracic
Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing
pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine.
"A major strength of our International Conference is the ability of
clinicians and researchers to interact and to exchange ideas. This year's
event in Toronto will feature information on the latest and most significant
developments in clinical practice, in research (clinical, basic and
translational), health advocacy and education," said David H. Ingbar, MD,
President of the American Thoracic Society.
The Conference will feature more than 5,600 podium and poster
presentations, covering the clinical and basic science discoveries that are
changing medicine's understanding and treatment of patients. A Canadian
highlight will be Toronto Science 2008, a special research symposium that will
take place on Monday, May 19, from 8:15 to 11 a.m. Led by Joel Moss, M.D., of
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and Arnold Kristof, M.D., of
McGill University Hospital Centre in Montreal. The session will bring together
some of Toronto's top scientists to discuss their latest findings and future
directions of their research.
Other topics that will be covered during the conference are asthma, lung
cancer, environmental and occupational lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, oxygen
and the biology of hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial
lung disease, airway inflammation, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis,
ICU-acquired weakness and pulmonary rehabilitation.
"We are very pleased to be hosting this large group of international
thoracic specialists at the MTCC," said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the
Centre. "Clinicians and researchers who specialize in thoracic medicine are on
the front lines of the battle against respiratory illnesses, and we wish them
well in this important fight," he added.
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 $35.5 million in direct
spending.
About the ATS
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is a non-profit,
international, professional and scientific society for respiratory, critical
care and sleep medicine. The ATS is committed to the prevention and treatment
of respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
For further information please visit www.thoracic.org.
About the MTCC
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's No. 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. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com
Notes to the News Media:
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A staffed, fully equipped press room, with computer workstations and
laptop connections, is available for registered journalists from Sunday,
May 18, through Wednesday, May 21, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Journalists may register onsite for the conference beginning on Saturday,
May 17, from noon to 3 p.m., in the press room, which will be located in room
101 in the north tower of the convention centre.
The press room will feature news releases and abstract summaries on key
meeting scientific presentations, as well as information from physician
experts in pulmonary medicine, critical care and sleep medicine. Briefings by
research scientists also will be scheduled.
Prior to the conference, journalists can contact Keely Savoie at
(212) 315-8620, or by e-mail at ksavoie@thoracic.org, to arrange complimentary
pre-registration or to receive the Advance Program, which contains detailed
information about the Conference.
In addition to providing details about specific sessions, the Advance
Program includes registration information, beginning on page 125. Registration
is complimentary for journalists covering the meeting for a media outlet.
Instructions for registering can be found on pages 123 and 125.
If requesting an Advance Program, please include a return phone number in
e-mail request and a full postal address with postal or zip code.
It is recommended that journalists register as far in advance as possible
so a badge will be available in the press room upon arrival. Before
registering, all journalists should contact Suzy Martin, ATS Communications
Manager, at smartin@thoracic.org, to verify credentials and be approved for
registration.
For further information: Christine Chiu, Marketing Manager, MTCC, (416)
585-8106, cchiu@mtccc.com; Keely Savoie, Science Writer, American Thoracic
Society, (416) 585-3500, ksavoie@thoracic.org
