Dr. Maurice Bitran and Catherine Paisley helped bring the Association of Science-Technology Centers 2019 Annual Conference to Toronto during the Ontario Science Centre’s 50th anniversary year. Working with the Leaders Circle, they prepared a successful bid to welcome science centre professionals from around the world to Toronto for professional development, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
The Story
For Dr. Maurice Bitran and Catherine Paisley, bringing the Association of Science-Technology Centers Annual Conference to Toronto in 2019 had special significance. The year marked the Ontario Science Centre’s 50th anniversary and 50 years since the emergence of the interactive science centre field. They were excited to welcome colleagues from around the world to one place, creating an opportunity for professional development, collaboration and learning from what others in the field were doing.
Toronto also gave them a city they were proud to share with international colleagues. They highlighted its vibrant downtown and neighbourhoods, including Kensington Market, the Distillery District and the Danforth. When it came to securing the conference, they knew their own organization and the conference well, but needed support putting the bid together. They credited the Leaders Circle with working hand-in-hand with them and guiding them through the conference work and bid preparation they could not have completed on their own.
