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Dubbed the academic Olympics, a major gathering of scholars this spring is expected to add a much-needed boost to the economy in Calgary.

The 85th annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, which is organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, will be held at the University of Calgary from May 28 to June 3.

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“Congress is the largest academic gathering in Canada,” said Bart Beaty, the U of C’s academic convenor for Congress 2016. “It moves from university to university every year and it’s something that we bid on four years ago. It’s a competitive process to be able to hold it.

“We’re honoured to do it and it’s obviously tied into our 50th anniversary celebrations.”

Beaty said there are already more than 6,300 delegates registered for this year’s event, but the number is expected to grow up to 8,000 before it begins.

According to a report by Meetings + Conventions Calgary, it will bring in at least $6 million to the local economy — only behind the Calgary Stampede and Global Petroleum Show.