Showcase Exhibition Area to Feature Leading Companies at Ontario Innovation
Summit: The Business of Aging

TORONTO, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - From chronic disease to shifting patterns of work, retirement and social structures, the challenges around the global aging population are immense - but so are the business opportunities through life-enhancing innovation.

If your company has a novel science or technology solution for the aging market, the Ontario Innovation Summit is the premier event for market exposure to an audience of global opinion leaders and industry attendees.

Designed and delivered at MaRS, The Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging - Dec. 1-2, 2009 - will feature some of the world's top experts on the many issues that the aging of the global population poses for communities, governments, academic and health-care institutions, and businesses.

The conference will focus on four major themes:

    
    -   Innovation in an Age Friendly Society - Interconnected Challenges and
        Opportunities
    -   Productivity and Independence: Rethinking Technology, Community and
        Wellness to Optimize Economic Contribution and Enhance Quality of
        Life
    -   Rethinking Autonomy: The Brain Fitness Movement
    -   Public Policy Impact: Putting Innovation to Work across the Continuum
        of Aging
    

"Ontario has a unique set of advantages to serve this growing, global market opportunity that are anchored by the quality of our science and technology, and the talent of our entrepreneurs. The Summit provides Ontario's promising companies with an exciting opportunity to connect with a range of key opinion leaders and industry professionals across the aging landscape," said Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, MaRS CEO.

Distinguished international speakers at the Ontario Innovation Summit include: Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Aging, Dr. John Beard, Director, Department of Aging and Life Course, World Health Organization, Alvaro Fernandez, Founder, SharpBrains, Saul Kaplan, Chief Catalyst, Business Innovation Factory, Laurie Orlov, Principal, Aging in Place Technology Watch and Joan McCalla, Distinguished Fellow, Internet Business Solutions Group, Cisco. The conference will also host special keynote appearances by the Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, and Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Astronaut.

The Summit's audience of technology, health care and business leaders will explore the profound public policy challenges as well as the growing opportunities associated with the aging demographic phenomenon. The Summit's Science & Technology Showcase will give organizations a unique opportunity for exposure to this influential audience.

Entry as a "Showcase Exhibitor" is offered free of charge to a limited number of approved companies headquartered in Ontario. Deadline for applications is 5pm EST Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. Interested applicants may download the Showcase Application form at www.marsdd.com/boa Selected companies will be contacted via email by 5pm EST on Nov. 19, 2009.

SOURCE MaRS Discovery District

For further information: For further information: on the Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging, including speakers and participating organizations, visit www.marsdd.com/boa or email boa@marsdd.com