Ottawa has won the bid to host the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Congress and General Assembly in August 2003. The National Research Council (NRC) and the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) worked in collaboration with Ottawa Tourism & Convention Authority to secure the conference for the city. With thousands of Canadian and international scientists expected to attend the ten-day conference, the estimated 20,000 hotel-room nights will make it the largest conference ever to come to Ottawa. The conference is expected to attract approximately 3000 delegates to the city, with an estimated economic impact of $15.8 million.
"The winning of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Congress and General Assembly demonstrates the success of a teamwork with both national and local organizations working together to bring the conference to Ottawa. We congratulate the National Research Council, Canadian Society for Chemistry and our local tourism partners for their hard work and success," states Leslie Miller, President, Ottawa Tourism. Locally, the Ottawa Congress Centre played a key role in working with OTCA to bring the conference to the city.
The NRC and CSC will jointly host the Congress and General Assembly, which will be held in conjunction with CSC's 86th Annual Conference. It is expected to attract some 2000 delegates. "Hosting this event will provide an opportunity to showcase Canadian expertise and competence in chemistry," said Dr. Arthur Carty, President of the NRC. "As well, it will reinforce the already strong bonds between Canadian chemists and their colleagues in member countries."
"The CSC is excited to be a part of this outstanding international event in the field of chemistry and we look forward to welcoming our international colleagues," said Judith Poë, President of The Canadian Society for Chemistry.
For more information, please contact:
Dawn Murray
Manager, Media Relations & Communications
Ottawa Tourism & Convention Authority
(613) 237-5150
Andrée Dumulon
NRC Media Relations
(613) 998-4579
Background Information
The IUPAC was founded in 1919 with the objective of serving to advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences and to contribute to the application of chemistry in the service of Mankind. As a scientific, international, non-governmental and objective body, IUPAC can address many global issues involving chemical sciences.
Chemistry is a strong discipline in Canada as shown by the rich achievements of Canadian chemists. The high international standing of Canadian chemists is fully demonstrated by six Nobel prizes in chemistry awarded to Canadians, many of whom started their careers at the National Research Council. A substantial number of Canadian chemists have been elected to Fellowship in the Royal Society (UK) and to the Académie des Sciences de Paris. Currently, 30 Canadians are taking part in the IUPAC Bureau, Committees, Divisions and Commissions.
As Canada's foremost science and technology (S&T) agency, the NRC has played a key role in the growth and development of chemistry in Canada for the past seventy years. As a fully integrated S&T organization, NRC is at the centre of Canada's national system of innovation. NRC provides a comprehensive network of services, facilities, programs and collaborative research opportunities in support of S&T. Working in partnership with industry, universities and government, NRC promotes technology and industrial innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.