Professional Congress Organizer for the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5)

Description The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is looking for a Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) to support the planning of the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5). The congress will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver from September 26 to October 2, 2021. Background Since 2005, as a collaborative effort between the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the host country, IMPAC has been an important platform, both technically and politically, for promoting marine protected areas (MPA) as a key instrument of ocean sustainability. Convened every four years, IMPAC is an opportunity for the global community of managers and practitioners of marine conservation to exchange knowledge and experience, and strengthen best practices in the application and management of MPAs, for the effective conservation of marine biodiversity, and the natural and cultural heritage of the oceans. To date, four IMPAC events have taken place in Geelong, Australia (2005), Washington, D.C., United States of America (2009), Marseille, France (2013), and La Serena-Coquimbo, Chile (2017). During the closing ceremony of IMPAC4, Canada was awarded the host role for IMPAC5. IMPAC5 will be the first major international marine conservation event following the negotiation of post-Aichi targets under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in the fall 2020 in Beijing. IMPAC 5 opening ceremonies are planned for Sunday, September 26, 2021. The Congress will then continue with a wide range of sessions (including presentations, pavilion booths, posters, workshops, symposia, knowledge cafés and plenaries) with over 3,000 participants anticipated. Closing ceremonies will be on Friday, October 1, and a High-Level Segment on Saturday, October 2. The October 2 event allows for heads of states and/or international ministers (or their representatives) as well as high profile delegates regularly engaged in marine conservation to come together and recommit to recommendations and outputs that arose during the Congress. Opening and closing ceremonies will include celebrity keynote speakers and Canadian cultural events. Contract Period The period of the Contract is from date of Contract to October 31, 2021 inclusive. Enquiries - Bid Solicitation All enquiries must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority no later than seven (7) calendar days before the bid closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.