On 16 September 2008 MSIF and the MS Society of Canada held a free one-day international event at Le Centre Sheraton Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The event included high quality scientific debates and educational presentations from leading experts from around the world, introduced by people with MS. Topics included: how MS starts, early treatment, cognition and emotions, managing progressive MS and caregiving.

This most prestigious event, for up to 450 people affected by MS, health professionals and MS Society of Canada volunteers, staff and friends preceded the World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis which took place in Montreal 17-20 September 2008.

The World Congress incorporated the 24th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), the 13th Annual Meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) and the 5th Congress of the Latin American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (LACTRIMS).