Ostomy Toronto is looking forward to hosting the 2012 UOA Conference. We are excited to plan our conference around our theme, “Caring in a Changing World.” The conference will provide our attendees with unique opportunities to learn and discuss how our theme applies to the UOAC and local chapters.

Caring in a Changing World

Caring in a changing world can mean many things and our sessions will explore various aspects of this theme such as changes in

• The medical field – new techniques, research projects, programs and education
• Ostomy supplies – what vendors are doing to improve supplies and provide solutions to common problems faced by people with ostomies
• How people communicate and use technology to reach out for support - how can the UOAC and local chapters leverage these options that didn’t exist 10 or 15 years ago to provide support in non-traditional ways and reach out to support those with unique requirements eg. Parents of Young Children with Ostomies
• Our local chapters – what local chapters have done to reinvent themselves and attract/retain members, raise funds, promote awareness
• The population of people with ostomies – Canada’s population is aging and multicultural groups are growing – how do we address these changes yet also remain/become more relevant to young people and parents of children who have had ostomy or related surgeries

Toronto: The World within the City Our conference hotel is at a perfect location to experience this diversity of Toronto. The Delta Chelsea is located in the heart of downtown Toronto at Yonge & Gerrard. Within a short walk or transit ride of the hotel you will find Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India and Greek Town and many other areas where you can experience the multicultural side of Toronto. For dining and shopping, you’ll find many options within a few minutes walk of our hotel including the Toronto Eaton Centre and Bloor St where you can enjoy fine dining and shopping in Yorkville. If you are looking to venture further afield, the hotel is very close to the subway and gives easy access to anywhere in the downtown area within a few minutes. For those who enjoy cultural activities, there are usually two or three musicals playing at nearby theatres. The Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum are also options. For the sports fan, we can’t go without mentioning the Toronto Blue Jays – the Rogers Centre is not far – you can either walk or take the subway. While you’re there you can slip next door and enjoy the view from the CN Tower or walk down the street and enjoy the Hockey Hall of Fame. Don’t forget the new Toronto Football Club, Canada’s first Major League Soccer team, that plays out of the BMO Field, Canada’s first soccer specific stadium at Exhibition Place.

Pre-Conference Activities in Niagara Region

Our attendees can choose to play golf, explore the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (home of the Shaw Festival) or to view the magnificent Niagara Falls where you have the option of taking the Maid of the Mist and getting up close and personal with one of Canada’s most famous attractions. This will be done post-conference provided there is sufficient interest.