Halifax International Security Forum - Year Three

Halifax welcomed the return of the Halifax International Security Forum last week. For the third year in a row, International Ministers of Defence, Ambassadors, 4-Star Generals, Business Leaders, Academics and Foreign Press descended on our city to discuss "international security threats in a unique setting that leads to building democracy, creating opportunity and promoting peace."

It was a busy weekend for the city and for organizers of the Forum. Forum President Peter Van Praagh, Vice President Joesph Hall, Board Members and Canada's Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay played host to 300 delegates including Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, U.S. Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta, U.S. Senators John McCain, Mark Udall & Jeanne Shaheen and Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk.

You would think that being in its third year the event would be formulaic, but not so. Forum staff, volunteers and hotel associates transformed the Westin Nova Scotian hotel into a television studio, a trendy lobby lounge and a showcase for food & beverage delights during the November 18 - 20, 2011 weekend event. Delegates were treated to a lobster dinner at Pier 21 and 15 local restaurants entertained groups of 20 who discussed current world security topics while experiencing the best of Halifax cuisine.

When it comes to wowing an International audience Halifax pulls out the stops - we are already preparing for next year!