Conference organizers offer reassurances as SARS fears fade

(May 1, 2003) As Toronto moves toward containment of the SARS outbreak, financial conference organizers are taking steps to remind attendees that the majority of events are going ahead as scheduled. Yesterday, the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI) issued a public response to inquiries about its national conference, set for June 4-6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

“CPBI has been closely monitoring developments related to SARS with concern for the health and safety of conference participants,” said CPBI chair Michael Wolpert in a statement. “Following careful examination of the situation, including reports from various regional, national and international health authorities, we are pleased to announce that the conference is proceeding as scheduled.”

Last week, the Canadian Foundation for Investor Education postponed a one-day corporate governance symposium in Toronto, scheduled for June 6, citing SARS fears.

A number of other financial industry events have been cancelled because of SARS, including two educational sessions on options trading next week in Toronto and Hamilton, hosted by Montreal Exchange CEO Luc Bertrand. Those sessions will be rescheduled, according to an exchange spokesperson. Also this week, British Columbia Securities Commission chair Doug Hyndman cancelled a scheduled speech in Toronto.

But most cancellations were announced before the World Health Organization lifted a travel warning for Toronto on Tuesday and industry observers believe it’s unlikely that other events will be scrapped. Indeed, several organizations contacted by Advisor.ca recently, including IFIC, the Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFC) and the Strategy Institute, say their events will proceed as planned.

The Strategy Institute holds its Elite Advisor Summit May 7-8 in Kleinberg, north of Toronto. IFIC’s one-day compliance forum is set for May 12 in Toronto and the IFB stages its annual spring summit May 27-28 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Toronto’s business community is also promoting the “business as usual” message, offering discounts on hotels, flights and theatre tickets in an effort to attract out of town visitors.

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Filed by Doug Watt, Advisor.ca, dwatt@advisor.ca