When the
National Society of Black Engineers brings its conference to Toronto March 31-April 4, it expects to contribute up to $30 million to the local economy (including 9,000 hotel room nights).
The Toronto conference is the first time the 33,000-member US-based organization has held its annual meet-up outside the United States. The society's Pamela Sharif says Toronto was chosen because of the large number of the organization's members in Canada, and because the key corporate partners of the organization -- cutting edge engineering employers -- generally have offices in Toronto. "The fact that Canada -- and Toronto in particular -- is an international leader in the technology sector is a huge factor," Sharif says.
During the conference, local high school students from Mother Theresa and Cardinal Newman Catholic schools in Scarborough will have the chance to participate in hands-on activities (including, Sharif says, robot and car design and construction) meant to introduce them to the profession.
Author: Edward Keenan
Source: Pamela Sharif, Media Relations, National Society of Black Engineers
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