Top city builders from around the world coming to MaRS

The Innovation City will examine ways of shaping our urban future

TORONTO, July 17, 2012 /CNW/ - This week, MaRS Discovery District is hosting one of Canada's most influential city-building gatherings. On July 18 and 19, more than 300 local, national and international delegates and speakers are coming to MaRS for The Innovation City, a two-day conference that will explore and highlight the partnerships, ideas and innovation models that will lead to building the great cities of the 21^st century.

Organized by CityAge, the event features representatives of 30 cities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

"Toronto is brilliantly positioned for success in the global innovation economy, with world-leading scientific discovery and humanities scholarship, a stable economy, and a vibrant creative and cultural community. Most importantly, we have a diverse, talented workforce that is aggregating steadily into strong, collaborative networks," said Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District. "While our momentum is substantial, there is much more we can do to accelerate innovation in the Toronto metropolitan region. To that end, we need fresh thinking, global perspectives and new networks. And that is why we are excited to be hosting The Innovation City."

Some of the 50 + speakers include:

• Seth Pinsky, President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
• Gordon Campbell, High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom
• Guru Banavar, CTO, Global Public Sector, IBM
• David Naylor, President, University of Toronto
• John Tory, Chair, Toronto CivicAction Alliance
• John Sexton, President of NYU
• William Knapp, COO Car2Go, North America
• Jaana Remes, Senior Fellow, McKinsey Global Institute
• Alan Broadbent, Chairman, Maytree Foundation
• Lorne Braithwaite, CEO, Build Toronto

"Toronto and MaRS Discovery District are a perfect platform to have a discussion about the future of cities," said Miro Cernetig, a founding partner of CityAge. "We are living through the greatest wave of urbanization in human history. The smart design and governance of our cities will shape all of our futures. This is an essential conversation in our urban age."

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (www.marsdd.com) (Twitter: @MaRSDD) is a mission-driven innovation centre located in Toronto. MaRS works with partners to catalyze, accelerate and amplify innovation. MaRS supports entrepreneurs building Canada's next generation of growth companies.

About CityAge

CityAge Media was founded by Miro Cernetig and Marc Andrew. It holds events, campaigns and dialogue around North America on city building.

Chris Stevenson 
Director, Communications
[phone]
[email protected]

Miro Cernetig 
[phone]
[email protected]