Mark your calendars: ORION and CANARIE, Ontario's and Canada's advanced networks, are teaming up this year to host a national research and education Summit in Toronto on November 3 and 4, 2008.

The Summit, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will bring together national and global leaders in research, education, innovation, discovery and advanced networks to focus discussions on emerging technologies and new infrastructure needs and capabilities to advance our country's research and innovation agenda.

"Powering Research and Innovation" is the focus on this Summit, CANARIE's first national conference since 2004. This event will also represent ORION's fifth annual conference, normally held in June. ORION and CANARIE are happy to be partnering on this conference, as this gives both organizations a great opportunity to collaborate to present a truly exciting program for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.

National and international keynotes will be presented, as well as sessions on topics ranging from grids and cyberinfrastructure; the evolution of collaboration technologies; emerging trends in research and learning; the impact of virtual research and learning communities; to global partnerships and collaboration requirements.

The Summit is expected to bring together some 350 researchers and innovators, scientists, faculty, government and institutional policy leaders, as well as private sector partners. The event will include a trade show area, where public and private sector organizations will be invited to participate.

A national program committee will issue a call for presentations shortly. More details will be announced, including keynotes, as Summit details are finalized.