CDA / CSEM Annual Conference coming to Winnipeg for first time in 2014
WINNIPEG, MB (July 8, 2013) – For the first time, the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) / Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) have chosen Winnipeg to host their 17th annual Professional Conference. Approximately 2,300 delegates are expected to visit Winnipeg from Oct. 22-25, 2014 making it the largest conference to come to Winnipeg in the last five years.
“The economic spin-offs for the city are tremendous with an estimated $2.3 million in direct spending on hotels, restaurants, shopping, attractions and more,” says Marina R. James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Tourism Winnipeg, along with its partners—The Winnipeg Convention Centre and hotel partners—worked on developing a highly competitive bid that won over the Canadian Diabetes Association.
“Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions across Canada, and in Manitoba alone it is estimated more than 107,500 people are currently living with the disease,” says Doug Macnamara, president and CEO of the Canadian Diabetes Association. “Winnipeg is a vibrant, growing city that unfortunately also has quite a high prevalence of people with diabetes. So it makes sense for us to bring this important research and educational conference to Winnipeg to support our mission of leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives, while we work to find a cure.”
Strong support from Brian Scharfstein, a Canadian pedorthist specializing in diabetes footcare and also president of Canadian Footwear, was pivotal in securing this major conference. He worked with Tourism Winnipeg through its “Bring it Home” program. The program encourages locals to advocate Winnipeg as the city of choice for their national or international association meetings.
“Bringing this conference to Winnipeg is a big deal because people are coming from across Canada and some have never been to Winnipeg. There is no better time for them to experience Winnipeg with its new attractions from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to Journey to Churchill,” says Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, senior vice president of Tourism Winnipeg.
The conference will take place at the newly branded RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.
“The RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg is thrilled to host the 2014 CDA/CSEM National Professional Conference,” says David Chizda, director of sales and marketing for the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. “Between our facilities and all the great new infrastructure and attractions in Winnipeg, it shows new investment is working to attract large-scale conferences like this one.”
About Tourism Winnipeg
Tourism Winnipeg is the city’s official destination marketing organization. A division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., Tourism Winnipeg’s mission is to facilitate a healthy, prosperous, responsible and fully-integrated tourism industry that enhances the city of Winnipeg’s economic growth through the acquisition of meetings, conventions, events, group travel and leisure tourism, while increasing visitation and delivering the best possible visitor experience.
About the Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives, while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on http://www.facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
About the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
The CSEM is a professional organization bringing together clinical endocrinologists, educators and researchers engaged in providing healthcare, training and research within the broad domain of endocrinology. The CSEM is a national advocate for excellence in endocrinology research, education, and patient care, and its mandate is to advance the discipline of endocrinology and metabolism in Canada. For more information, visit endo-metab.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Gillian Leschasin
Manager, Communications
Tourism Winnipeg
P: (204) 954-1977
[email protected]
http://www.tourismwinnipeg.com
Randi Gill
Manager, Communications, Western Canada
Canadian Diabetes Association
P: (204) 925-3800, ext. 234
[email protected]
http://www.diabetes.ca
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