Page 25 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

Welcome Address from the Scientific Program Organizing
Committee

On behalf of the Scientific Program Organizing Committee, I welcome you to
Plant Canada 2019. All seven Plant Canada member Societies and Associations
participated in a planning process that began over two years ago. One goal was to
put together a program reflecting our diverse interests, while highlighting
excellence that will be of broad interest to all attendees. I believe that we have
achieved that goal.

The theme Plant Canada 2019, Communicating Innovation in Plant Science reflects
the scientific achievements that will be communicated by our twelve invited
plenary speakers, and will be the focus of a keynote lecture by media personality
Dan Riskin, who will provide insights into effective communication of the work we do to the broader
community. How we communicate the work we do as plant scientists is of critical importance, particularly
these days, as we face serious environmental challenges. It is clear that our research activities have
enormous potential for addressing these challenges. Convincing governments and funding agencies to
prioritize what we do, while heading off misconceptions surrounding and opposition to the biotechnologies
we rely on, requires a concerted effort across the fields of plant biology.

In addition to the twelve plenary lectures, the Plant Canada 2019 program includes 212 oral presentations in
the concurrent sessions, and more than 215 poster presentations. Several workshops, information sessions
pre-conference tours and field trips will complement the scientific program. Be sure to attend the trade
displays of our sponsors in the exhibit hall, as well as the sponsor information session on Sunday afternoon.

A huge team effort had gone into organizing the scientific program and coordinating the events of this
meeting. Along the way, we have been guided by the Plant Canada President, Deena Errampalli, and assisted
by the Plant Canada Secretary Diane Edwards. The event would be impossible without huge efforts from the
Local Arrangements Committee led by Barry Micallef, and the financial support of our many corporate and
academic sponsors, the efforts of the fundraising committee, which was chaired by Robert Mullen and Barry
Micallef, and finally the University of Guelph. As President of this year’s host society for the 4-yearly Plant
Canada meeting, I would also like to extend my gratitude to members of the CSPB executive and
communications committee for the extra workload they endured in the run up to this meeting.

Thank you for attending, and I hope you will be inspired at Plant Canada 2019.

Geoffrey Wasteneys

Chair, Scientific Program Organizing Committee for Plant Canada 2019

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