Metro Toronto Convention Centre welcomes back the world's leading
cardiothoracic surgeons

TORONTO, April 28 /CNW/ - The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) will be host to the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The AATS Annual Meeting, May 1 - 5, brings together the world's leading scientists to present and discuss their latest clinical and research efforts. More than 4,000 surgeons, healthcare professionals, industry representatives and guests from around the world are expected to attend this year's meeting in Toronto.

"We are extremely excited to return back to Toronto for the 2010 AATS Annual Meeting. Toronto is a wonderful city, with easy international access, a cosmopolitan flair, and great opportunities for our attendees to experience the local area," said G. Alec Patterson, M.D., AATS President.

The AATS Annual Meeting includes 5 days of scientific programming, including a 127,000 square foot exhibit hall featuring more than 100 companies, plenary sessions, symposia, state-of-the-art presentations and lectures. This year's meeting will also feature two multipurpose interventional operating room suites that integrate digital imaging diagnostics, radiological, catheterization, and surgical capabilities. The two Operating Rooms of the Future: Hybrid Technologies(R) will be constructed on the exhibit floor to give attendees a look at what the future offers for cardiac and general thoracic surgery.

"We are very pleased to be hosting this group of leading CT surgeons back to our centre. The research and practice of these professionals is critical to our health and we wish them a successful and productive event," said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the MTCC. The AATS convention will benefit the local economy, with a positive impact of almost $4 million in delegate spending.

About the AATS

Founded in 1917, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) is an international organization of over 1,200 members consisting of the world's foremost cardiothoracic surgeons representing 35 countries. The AATS mission - Promoting Scholarship in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - demonstrates its commitment to quality patient care. AATS achieves its mission through the annual meeting, research grants and awards, educational symposia and courses, and its scientific publications which include its official journal, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. For further information, please visit www.aats.org.

About the MTCC

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's No. 1 convention and trade show facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 15,000 events and entertained over 40 million guests. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

For further information: Christine Tse, Marketing Manager, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, [phone], [email protected]; Lorraine M. O'Grady, Managing Editor, AATS Daily News, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, [phone], [email protected]