Countdown on for the Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging

    
    Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Premier Dalton McGuinty to join global policy,
    science, technology experts in advancing challenges, opportunities of an
    aging population
    

TORONTO , Oct. 15 /CNW/ - From chronic disease to shifting patterns of work, retirement, and social structures, the challenges around the graying global population are immense - but so are the opportunities, through strategic reform and life-enhancing innovation.

The Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging - designed and delivered at MaRS on 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.

This unique event brings together a world-class audience of industry professionals, who will explore the profound public policy challenges as well as the growing opportunities associated with this demographic phenomenon. The conference will host special keynote appearances by the Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, and Dr. Buzz Aldrin , Apollo 11 Astronaut.

Other speakers confirmed to appear at the conference include:

    
    -   Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on
        Ageing
    -   Dr. John Beard, Director, Department of Aging and Life Course, World
        Health Organization
    -   Dr. Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health
        System Strategy Division, Ontario Ministry of Health
    -   Alvaro Fernandez, Co-Founder, SharpBrains
    -   Saul Kaplan, Chief Catalyst, Business Innovation Factory
    -   Dr. David Naylor, President, University of Toronto
    -   Dr. Bill Reichman, President and CEO, Baycrest
    

"An aging population presents many challenges for governments worldwide," said MaRS CEO Dr. Ilse Treurnicht . "Ontario is responding to these challenges as it establishes itself as a world-class player in key areas such as health-care policy, brain fitness, medical/assistive devices, diagnostics and other aging related health-care sectors."

For Ontario companies developing science, technology and social innovations for this expanding market, this event will be an excellent opportunity to connect with key opinion leaders and corporate decision makers who are responding to this challenge.

Session topics for the Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging include:

    
    -   Innovation in an Age Friendly Society: Interconnected Challenges and
        Opportunities
    -   Rethinking Technology & Community: Optimizing our Economic
        Contributions and Enhancing Quality of Life
    -   Maintaining Autonomy: The Brain Fitness Movement
    -   Public Policy Impact: Putting Innovation to Work across the Continuum
        of Aging
    -   Commitment to Action

    Further details on this event can be found at www.marsdd.com/boa
    

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (www.marsdd.com) is a large scale, mission driven innovation centre located in Toronto and networked across Ontario, focused on building Canada's next generation of technology companies. MaRS works closely with entrepreneurs to grow and scale their ventures into global market leaders in life sciences and health care, information, communications and digital media technologies, cleantech and advanced materials, as well as innovative social purpose business.

For further information: Linda Quattrin, Director Communications, MaRS Discovery District, [phone], [email protected]