The Town of Collingwood is preparing to welcome 150 delegates and more than 60 exhibitors from across Ontario to the 2008 Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference and Trade Show. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 445 municipal governments and provides a variety of services and products to members and non-members. The mandate of the organization is to support and enhance strong and effective municipal government in Ontario. It promotes the value of the municipal level of government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

Taking place from April 30 to May 2, this year’s conference theme is “The Changing Ontario Small Urban Municipality – Building a Sustainable Community” and will focus on the four “Pillars of Sustainability” which are Environmental, Economic, Social, and Cultural.

Keynote speakers will be Canadian Senator Larry Campbell and Leacock Medal-Winning Playwright Dan Needles. Larry Campbell, one of Canada's most popular political figures, was mayor of Vancouver from 2002-2005 and is currently a Member of The Canadian Senate. A charismatic personality with a colourful background, Campbell is Vancouver's former chief coroner, whose life inspired the hit shows Da Vinci's Inquest and Da Vinci's City Hall. Dan Needles is the creator of the popular Wingfield Farm plays, full-length stage comedies that have filled theatres across Canada and the United States for more than 3,000 performances since 1984. In 2003 Dan Needles received the Stephen Leacock Medal for humour for With Axe and Flask, the history of his mythical Persephone Township. Mr. Needles will be speaking at the Closing Chairman’s Luncheon on Friday.

Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) is the small urban municipal voice of the Province. OSUM is an integral part of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and ensures that matters which effect small urban communities are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments.

For Information on the 2008 Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference & Trade Show visit www.amo.on.ca and click on OSUM.