Conference celebrates $11B industry.

Commercial Mortgage Securities Association (CMSA[R]), the international trade organization representing the commercial mortgage backed securities industry, kicked-off its First Canadian CMSA[R] Conference, being held at the Toronto Hilton, in Toronto, Ontario.

The conference was co-chaired by Pamela Spackman, President and CEO, Column Canada Financial Corp. and Kenneth Toten, Managing Director, Coventree Capital Group, Inc. Ms. Spackman and Mr. Toten also served as Co-Chairs of the CMSA[R] Canadian Board of Governors.

Featured at the conference were educational workshops, market analysis, investor roundtables and numerous networking opportunities for those attending.

There are also panel discussions with industry experts delving into many of the complex issues affecting the CMBS marketplace in Canada and around the globe.

Richard Jones, Partner, Dechert LLP and CMSA[R] President stated, "We are thrilled to introduce the First Canadian CMSA[R] Conference to the Canadian market. The event offers numerous discussion platforms dedicated to expanding dialogue among CMBS leaders and increasing their awareness of significant issues.

"We congratulate the Canadian Board of Governors for their hard work and are confident that this will become an annual 'must-attend' event in Canada."

Dottie Cunningham, CMSA[R] CEO, added, "In just six years, the Canadian CMBS market has grown to over Cdn$11 billion and it continues to expand at record pace. CMSA[R] is proud to represent the CMBS industry in Canada and around the globe."

Keynote speakers at the Conference included two of Canadian television's favorite personalities, Deirdre McMurdy, host of MoneyWise and Maclean's Editor, Anthony Wilson-Smith.