International experts in Pediatric Critical Care medicine recently met in Toronto for a meeting poised that fostered both learning and collaboration across the field.

The 8th World Congress of the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS) will took place June 4-8 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Physicians from the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), one of the world’s leading pediatric health care institutions, were integral to the development of the Congress.

With approximately 1,500 international delegates and speakers in attendance, this event brought in an estimated $4.3 million to Toronto’s local economy, as well as shone a global spotlight on the work of SickKids and deepened partnerships across the field.

“The scientific content is a primary component of the World Congress, however throughout we have presented a strong theme of networking and shared learning for physicians, nurses, researchers, and all allied health professionals in Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care,” said Dr. Peter Cox, WFPICCS Congress Scientific Committee Chair, Associate Chief and Division Head of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at SickKids.

Cox also serves as an Ambassador for the Leaders Circle, a network of professionals across a spectrum of industries that works to bring international meetings to Toronto.

With approximately 240 international speakers and a compelling schedule of workshops, plenaries and scientific sessions awaiting Congress delegates, this year’s meeting inspired professionals to open a discourse on the latest findings and practices, and share insights.

“This meeting offers an exciting and multifaceted agenda of scientific education and techniques on the care provided to children with critical illness and their families,” added Dr. Peter Laussen, Chief of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at SickKids, who also serves as a Leaders Circle Ambassador and WFPICCS Congress Scientific Committee member, before the meeting.

He added, “Through this event we hope we can establish stronger networks all over the world so that people may better work together.”

Established in 1997, WFPICCS was formed to unite international expertise and experience across the field of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

To date, seven world congresses have been held across the globe, all with the single goal of enhancing the knowledge of practitioners to allow them to provide the highest possible standard of care to children all over the world.

This is the first time the premier event was hosted in Toronto, a decision that followed a rigorous and competitive bidding process involving the combined efforts of WFPICCS, professional congress organizer Kenes International, Business Events Toronto, MTCC, and the Leaders Circle. Outstanding congress and support resources, and a global city reputation for producing leaders in the field worked together to reveal Toronto as the top destination of choice to host the 2016 congress.

“It is an honour to provide the backdrop and setting for this event, and we welcome international professionals devoted to caring for the world’s most vulnerable children,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO of MTCC, also before the event.

He added, “On behalf of Toronto, I wish WFPICCS a highly productive meeting that creates enduring legacies and partnerships across the board.”