OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2011) - Join planners on October 12th - 14th, 2011 in Ottawa at the new Ottawa Convention Centre for the 2011 Conference. The theme is "25 Years and Counting: Tackling the Biggest Challenges to Planning and the Profession". This year, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute turns 25 - an excellent time for looking back and looking forward. It's a chance to re-examine assumptions, take stock, and build awareness about our profession and its relevance. Subthemes for the conference include: Professional Planners – Development, Leadership and Diversity; Professional Practices – Beyond the Status Quo; and Projects – Lessons from the Present and Past. More than 500 planners from across Ontario are expected to participate in workshops, plenary panel discussions and concurrent sessions.
| Speakers include: |
| Wednesday, October 12th 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Opening Session with Keynote Speaker: Jowi Taylor, Six String Nation |
| Jowi Taylor is a multiple award-winning writer and broadcaster best known for his role as host of several highly successful CBC Radio programs: Global-Village (winner of the Peabody Award). His independent Six String Nation multi-media project is centered on a guitar built, literally, from pieces of Canadian heritage. |
| Thursday, October 13th from 9:00 am - 10:00 am |
| Keynote Speaker: Greg Lindsay |
| Having studied first-hand massive new settlements rising across the globe, Greg Lindsay describes the lessons we can learn from them, and how we can use this knowledge to rebuild our cities at home. Greg is co-author of the book, Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next. His insights have appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, Travel + Leisure, and NPR. |
| Thursday, October 13th from 11:45 am - 1:30 pm |
| Luncheon with Keynote Speaker: Mario Lefebvre, Conference Board of Canada |
| Mario Lefebvre, Director of the Centre for Municipal Studies at the Conference Board of Canada, has a tremendous knowledge and in-depth understanding of the economic and financial situations of Canada's cities. Mario will speak about economic trends affecting Ontario communities today and in the next 25 years, and how they will affect the way we live and work. |
| Thursday, October 13th 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
| 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards: Emcee Wendy Mesley |
| Celebrating the Best of the Best in Planning. |
| Wendy Mesley from CBC will emcee this event highlighting the winners of the Excellence in Planning Awards, recipient of the Health Communities Award, winner of the Leonard Gertler Award of Distinction and name the Honorary Member. In addition, OPPI will recognize two outstanding students. These awards will be given out at an event starting at 7 pm on Thursday, October 13th. |
| Friday, October 14th noon to 1:30 pm |
| Luncheon Speaker: Richard Worzel |
| Leading forecaster and futurist Richard Worzel will bridge classic themes in the practice of planning – demographics, economics, environment – and modern themes driving change – technology, social activism, health, energy, risk management, governance – Richard Worzel will lead us through a fascinating exploration of what the future holds. |
Detailed conference information is posted at: http://www.ontarioplanners.on.ca/content/conference/index.aspx
The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) is the recognized voice of the Province's planning profession. Its more than 3,500 members work in government, private practice, universities, and non-profit agencies in the fields of urban and rural development, urban design, environmental planning, transportation, health and social services, heritage conservation, housing, and economic development. For further information, go to: www.ontarioplanners.on.ca.
Contact Information:
Loretta Ryan, MCIP, RPP, CAE
Director, Public Affairs
416-668-8469
policy@ontarioplanners.on.ca