May 30-31 in Toronto: Customer Value and Profitable Engineering. Sponsored by the Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing at Queen's Univ. Introduction to the methods for better understanding factors influencing competitiveness. FMI: (613) 547-6700 or http://camm.queensu.ca....

June 1 in Toronto: Brain Gain 2000, a one day symposium exploring competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy. Sponsor: Ontario Research & Development Challenge Fund. Themes include: how R&D builds competitive advantage; winning R&D partnerships; creating an innovative culture; and, keys to attracting, retaining and repatriating skilled personnel. FMI: Sara Seaward at (416) 920-9000, ext. 250 or email: sseaward@pr.environics.ca....

June 15 in Toronto: Partnerships 2000, a one-day innovation and networking event. Sponsor: Materials and Manufacturing Ontario. Aimed at industry, universities and the financial community. FMI Ron Scicluna at (905) 823-2020, ext 241 or email: rscicluna@mmo.on.ca....

June 21 in Ottawa: Creativity 2000. Presented by the National Research Council, the Canada Council for the Arts and the National Arts Centre. Patron: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. Groundbreaking one-day conference featuring speakers addressing scientific, artistic and philosophical issues relating to the creative process. Special attention will be paid to common features of creativity in science and the arts, and new linkages between the two communities. A highlight will be a live satellite hook-up to interview Sir Arthur C Clarke in Sri Lanka. In addition to the physical event, national access will be provided through electronic media and other communications initiatives. FMI: Dick Doyle at (613) 993-1906 or www.nrc. ca/confserv/creative....

Sept 17-20 in Erlangen, Germany: Third International Conference on Mechanics of Time Dependant Materials. Conference will address time dependant properties of materials such as ceramics, metals and polymers. FMI: Dr Munstedt at ++49 9131-852-8321 or email: tdm2000@ww.uni-enlangen.de....