The event was a collaboration between the History department at the University of Trier and the Stadtbibliothek Trier. Prof. Ralf Hertel, the current director of the Centre for Canadian Studies, and Prof. Wolfgang Klooß, the former director, welcomed Prof. Staines and gave an introductory speech. The Q&A was led by JProf. Nele Sawallisch, the director of the Centre for American Studies.