The RBC Innovators' Ball celebrates the power of wonder and curiosity to shape the future

Signature fundraiser advances the Ontario Science Centre's community access programs

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Great things happen when business leaders and innovators come together with the belief that cultivating wonder and curiosity can change the future. Last night, more than 500 guests attended the RBC Innovators' Ball, raising funds for the Ontario Science Centre's community access programs  –  critical initiatives that bring science education to more than 100,000 people, including youth in Toronto's underserved neighbourhoods.

"The Ontario Science Centre is an incubator for wonder, a place where tomorrow's innovators can experience science and technology at an early age," said Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. "Visiting the Ontario Science Centre helps foster learning, attitudes and behaviours – the foundation for innovation – that last a lifetime. Thanks to the support from the RBC Innovators' Ball, we will be able to nurture curiosity and spark wonder in even more young minds."

This year's theme, Wonder: A Celebration of Curiosity and Innovation, was delivered through an evening full of inspirational experiences. The evening was hosted by event co-chairs Chris Tambakis, CEO, North America, Adgar Investments and Development; and Rebecca Leigh, Treadstone Real Estate Services; along with Sam Sebastian, Managing Director, Google Canada; and Kathy Sebastian.

The new TED-talk format brought together Thalmic Labs founder Aaron Grant, who demonstrated how wearables will revolutionize how we interact with technology in the future; AsapSCIENCE's YouTubers Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown, who took the audiences into the depths of the new advances in virtual reality; and acapella producer/artist Mike Tompkins, along with broadcaster Alan Cross, who explored how technology is changing the business of music-making.

"Technology and innovation are changing the way we live and work, and to ensure Canada's long-term competitiveness, we have to ensure that our young people are equipped to embrace the opportunities and challenges this creates," said Dave McKay, President and Chief Executive Office of the Royal Bank of Canada.  "RBC is proud to be working together with the Ontario Science Centre to nurture innovation and advance science in Canada."

Guests included corporate leaders and entrepreneurs such as:  Dave McKay, President and Chief Executive Office of The Royal Bank of Canada; Janet Kennedy, President Microsoft;  Mike Serbinis, Founder & CEO League; Robert Herjavec, CEO, The Herjavec Group; Joe Canavan, Principal, Canavan Capital; Michael Frisdaal, President and CEO, Air Canada Leisure Group. 

Now in its eighth year, the Innovators' Ball brings together creative minds and key influencers to celebrate new ideas, inspire new perspectives and reshape our view of what is possible. All proceeds from the event provide critical funding for the Ontario Science Centre's community access programs such as Adopt-a-Class, an initiative that ensures students from economically-challenged areas are able to visit the Science Centre for learning and discovery, regardless of financial means. By providing early access to science-based learning, the Ontario Science Centre hopes to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action for a better future.

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 50 million visitors since it opened in 1969, pioneering an interactive approach adopted by science centres around the world. Today, the Science Centre is a leader in free-choice science learning and a key player in Ontario's innovation ecosystem, offering lifelong learning through hands-on, engaging experiences. It is also a venue for the public dialogue about science, technology and society. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. As a publicly assisted organization, the Science Centre relies on generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share a commitment to science and education for additional operating support. For more information about the Ontario Science Centre, please visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca

About our sponsors

The RBC Innovators' Ball is supported by title sponsor Royal Bank of Canada. Other sponsors include: TELUS; The&Partnership; The Globe and Mail; Google Canada; Honda; Cossette Media; Adgar Investments and Development Inc.; Argyle Public Relationships; CV Studios; Chair-man Mills; Stratus; and McNabb Roick Events.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 38 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2014, we contributed more than $111 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $76 million and $35 million in sponsorships.

SOURCE Ontario Science Centre

Image with caption: "Last night, more than 500 guests attended the RBC Innovators’ Ball, raising funds for the Ontario Science Centre’s community access programs. Pictured in photo 1(L-R) Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO, Ontario Science Centre, Chris Tambakis, CEO North America, Adgar Investments & Development and Laurissa Canavan. (photo credit: George Pimental Photography) (CNW Group/Ontario Science Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151030_C4817_PHOTO_EN_532760.jpg

Image with caption: "Dave McKay, President and Chief Executive Office, Royal Bank of Canada address guests at the RBC Innovators Ball, the Ontario Science Centre's signature fundraiser for community access programs. (photo credit: George Pimental Photography) (CNW Group/Ontario Science Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151030_C4817_PHOTO_EN_532782.jpg

Image with caption: "Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO, Ontario Science Centre, addresses guests at the RBC Innovators’ Ball, the Ontario Science Centre's signature fundraiser for community access programs. (photo credit: George Pimental Photography) (CNW Group/Ontario Science Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151030_C4817_PHOTO_EN_532766.jpg

Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, Ontario Science Centre, 416-696-3273, Cell: 416-668-1967, [email protected]