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Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵplays host to the country at this year’s Association of Canadian Community Colleges conference from May 31st to June 2nd at various venues in Charlottetown.  With a fascinating line-up of guest speakers, including President of Microsoft Canada Phil Sorgen; Toronto Star Political Columnist Chantel Hebert;   Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress; and David Foot, demographics expert and author of Boom Bust & Echo, the conference promises to be packed with information for the almost 800 professionals from colleges and institutes across the country who will be attending.

Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵPresident Brian McMillan said the theme for this year’s conference, Charting the Course and Navigating the Seas of Change is very appropriate, given the current economic situation.

“It reflects the challenges faced by colleges and institutes across the country. This year’s conference will give delegates a new perspective on their work, rejuvenate their spirits, and inspire them to seek out innovative ways for their institutions to chart the course and navigate the seas of change,” he said.

James Knight, President and CEO of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, said that colleges and institutions will discuss their common challenges at the conference.

"Canada's colleges, institutes and polytechnics are rooted in their communities, but at the national level they speak with one voice. That powerful voice is being heard at the federal level. These institutions are being recognized as agents of socio-economic growth, innovation and productivity. The Annual Conference of ACCC brings together representatives of these institutions to address shared issues such as Canada's critical shortage of advanced skills and the opportunity to invest in applied research and development," he said.

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges is the national, voluntary membership organization created in 1972 to represent colleges and institutes to government, business and industry, both in Canada and internationally.

With an Ottawa-based Secretariat, ACCC interacts with federal departments and agencies on the members' behalf and links college capabilities to national industries. As another part of its mandate, ACCC organizes conferences and workshops for college staff, students and Board members to facilitate networking and participation in national and international activities such as sector studies, awards programs and linkages.