A while ago, I said I would only take up this space on rare occasions to remind you about the Symposium. This is one of those times.

The reason for the reminder is that the early-bird rate ends today. If you’re budget conscious or want to save a few hundred dollars, get registered today.

So far, our numbers are through the roof. It is 100 percent certain that the conference will sell out. The IAPPers feel badly about this, so we are looking at trying to find ways of adding space for 2018 and beyond. But, for this May, we are stuck with a maximum capacity of around 500. If you want to be among them, secure that spot now.

At the conference, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking (there always are), and I think this year’s program provides the deepest learning opportunities we’ve ever put together. We’re embracing the fact that we’re Canadian and this year we're even having a French-language session with Daniel Therrien, Jennifer Stoddart, and Chantal Bernier. Even if your French is a bit rusty, you’ll want to hear from these heavy hitters.

Along the way, we’ll have a bit of fun, too. The Commissioners' Game Show is scheduled to close out the conference and I’m working on the content now. Always a challenge: How to make it funny, showcase our regulators' soft (and competitive!) side, and deliver solid content.

As you contemplate getting to Symposium, catch up on this week’s news. Particularly great is the op-ed by Ian Kerr about artificial intelligence and some of the ethical issues we need to face — quickly!