Halifax, NS—Halifax has been named as the next site for one of the most significant international conferences ever held in the region. The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) will attract 1,500 delegates from all over the world to Halifax’s World Trade & Convention Centre from July 9 to 14, 2012. Held every four years, the most recent IASSID Congress took place August 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina, is Chair of the 2012 Congress.“I grew up, went to university and worked in Atlantic Canada, so I’m really pleased that Halifax will be the second Canadian city ever to host the World Congress,” said Dr. Timmons.  “Holding this event in Canada is a great honour, and we know that the city of Halifax and our IASSID organizing committee will do a fantastic job in hosting this international event and making it a success.”

The IASSID is an international and interdisciplinary scientific non governmental organization with official relations with the World Health Organization. The conference will feature recent findings as well as keynote addresses about major advances in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences related to intellectual disabilities. The association (originally named the International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency) was founded in 1964 and has sponsored twelve World Congresses. IASSID is the first and only world-wide group dedicated to the scientific study of intellectual disability. For more information about IASSID, visit: www.iassid.org

Trade Centre Limited (TCL) is a provincial crown corporation that operates six business units: World Trade & Convention Centre, Exhibition Park, Ticket Atlantic, Halifax Metro Centre, Events Halifax and World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada. Its mandate is to create economic benefits by bringing people together in Halifax and Nova Scotia. Visit www.tradecentrelimited.com for more information about the organization.

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For further information, contact:
Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons
Communications Manager
Trade Centre Limited
Direct: (902) 421-1302 ext. 127
Mobile: (902) 440-5531
tradecentrelimited.com