As ideacity Turns 20, Revisit 20 Big Names Who Shaped This Iconic Event

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For 20 years, Moses Znaimer's annual ideacity conference has brought together the smartest people with the biggest ideas. (Photo: Paul Alexander)

The 2020 ideacity conference may not be taking place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that the conversations and ideas stopped flowing. This week, on June 17, 18 and 19, ideacity is offering a free livestream replay of the 2019 conference — the 20th anniversary year — and all you have to do is click here to register. And on Thursday, following the free livestream, 2019 conference attendees can log on and join ideacity founder Moses Znaimer in conversation with Martine Rothblatt, creator of SiriusXM Satellite Radio & CEO of United Therapeutics.

To get you warmed up for the livestream replay, we’re revisiting some of our favourite stories from the 2019 ideacity conference. Today, we look back on our celebration of ideacity’s 20th anniversary with a slideshow featuring some of the conference’s most famous alumni, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Margaret Atwood to Deepa Mehta and more.

 

On Wednesday, June 19, the annual ideacity conference hits Toronto once again, as founder Moses Znaimer takes centre stage with what has become known as Canada’s “Premier Meeting of the Minds.”

Each year, Moses presents his legendary three-day think-fest, filled with opportunities to learn, network and party with world-renowned influencers, revolutionary iconoclasts, cutting-edge entrepreneurs, popular performers, and intriguing activists, agitators, dreamers and eccentrics.

As this year marks the 20th year of ideacity, we present a look back at 20 of the top presenters since this marvellous event kicked off in 2000. 

From Justin Trudeau, a school teacher who would one day become Prime Minister, to June Callwood, Robert Kennedy Jr., Margaret Atwood and many more, countless luminaries have graced the stage at ideacity during its legendary two-decade run.

“Over these 20 years, I’ve prided myself on spotting not just who’s hot today but who will be hot tomorrow,” says Moses. “I have a natural affinity for contrarians, the people who ask the uncomfortable questions.”

So let’s take a look back over the past 20 years and re-live the memorable speakers and moments that have informed, entertained and challenged us on the ideacity stage.

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