Exclusive Shopping Tour à la Montréal!

From exclusive boutiques of haute couture to eclectic antique shops and art galleries, Montreal is truly a fascinating city for shoppers. In this special 7 hour guided tour, you will be transported in style from location to location as you meet and chat with some of Quebec’s top fashion designers as well as shop to your heart’s content! Included is a VIP lunch at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the Latin Quarter . If you are interested in participating, please add this option to your registration forms.

Walking Tour through Old Montréal

Old Montréal represents one of North America’s most remarkable architectural achievements. Discover the beauty and diverse cultural heritage of Old Montréal with this guided tour which leads you through a maze of streets, squares, and historic buildings. Enjoy the beauty, old world charm, and joie de vivre! If weather is not cooperating, we will explore the Underground Pedestrian Network. If you are interested in participating, please add this option to your registration form.

Now is the Time - Plan to Master Change in Today’s Environment

Being on the right side of the storm and understanding why we are sometimes ineffective at adapting to change are crucial to understanding an economic crisis. The ability of an organization to grow and step out of its comfort zone without the urgency of crisis is extremely difficult. The most effective way to deal with crisis is to recognize, prioritize, plan, and mobilize awareness for needed change. Understanding and focusing on the core purpose of the organization are necessary to knowing how an organization’s principles are related to impending change.

1.  Leadership Techniques in an Economic Recovery- with Dr. Rick Johnson

This follow-up session to Dr. Johnson’s Opening Keynote will cover the realities of effective leadership during economic recovery.  Successful leadership in tough times means creating a sense of urgency, getting mutual commitment to action, and reexamining your personal leadership model. This becomes especially difficult when economic challenges test the effectiveness of your organization.

2. Career Pathways and Recognition

Organizations and individuals that are open to learning adapt more quickly to change. Learn about a leading Qualifications Framework which improves the ability to attract and retain qualified workers. This innovative system enables employers, students, and employees to identify the benefits of continuous learning and the pathways for career advancement. Hear how respected chefs, progressive employers, and educators in the culinary and hospitality fields put this framework into action.

Mary Dempster, Hotel Manager, Delta Halifax and Delta Barrington (invited)
Bernard Martinage, Founder and President, Federation of Dining Room Professionals (invited)
Rudolf Fischbacher, CCC, CCI Chairman, Canadian Culinary Institute, CCFCC (invited)

3. Integrating Sustainability in Post Secondary

How is the future workforce being prepared to work in an eco-friendly environment? Listen as our panel discusses how they’ve updated training programs to incorporate the fundamental principles of sustainability into their post-secondary courses.  The result is this target group will be seeking employers who have adopted sustainability into their workplace.

Marion Joppe, Research Chair in Tourism, University of Guelph
Marie-Janou Lusignan, Coordonator, Tourism Techniques, Cegep Granby-Haute-Yamaska
Catherine Noppen, Professor – Event and Conference Planning, Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec

PLENARY:

Alain Samson - Author and Speaker with Formatout Inc.

How to Keep Your Best Employees

In today’s business world, finding and keeping your best, most desirable employees are  key challenges many organizations face. In this session, Alain Samson will offer various insights and strategies to help you find and retain your best staff in order to make your organization stand apart from your competitors, as well as to survive and thrive in an ever-changing business environment. You will come away from this session rethinking much of what you do in human resources management.

BREAKFAST with Exhibitors

PLENARY PANEL:

In Conversation With...

What can your industry association do to help you counter the future challenges to your workforce?  A panel of selected stakeholders and industry representatives will deliver a lively, far-reaching discussion and debate about the current status of HR issues and trends, and the vision required to strengthen our industry tomorrow.

Lucie Charland, Executive Director, Conseil québécois de l’industrie touristique
Jean Lortie, Président, Fédération du commerce inc. (CSN)
Justin Taylor, Vice President, Labour and Taxation, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association
Wendy Swedlove, President, Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council
Randy Williams, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1.  Importance of Training: Engaging Employees During Change

Keeping a workforce engaged during change is the most crucial element of our success. But what does it mean to keep a workforce engaged? Panelists will walk us though their efforts to train and retain their employees and share the accompanying challenges.

Geneviève Brault, Human Resources Director, Parc Safari
Mark Reynolds C.H.R.P., Vice President Human Resources, Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
Jérôme Vigneault, Human Resources Manager, Auberge Le Baluchon

2.  State of the Labor Market: Forecasting the Outcome

An in-depth analysis of National Labor Market Data will give you the information necessary to prepare for a successful future.  Scenarios and trends in supply-demand and compensation will be presented, as well as measuring return on investment.

Greg Hermus, Associate Director, Conference Board of Canada 

3.  Raising the Profile for the Events Industry

Specialists in the festival, meeting, special events, and exhibition disciplines have come together to develop a globally accepted Occupational Standard for Event Management. In this session, leaders in the events field will discuss how this initiative can strengthen your business practices and educational programs.

Nathalie Courville, General Manager, Institut de l'événement
Joyce Dogniez, CMM, Director of Global Training Practice Meeting Professionals International, Luxembourg
Michael Granek, CSEP, Academic Director – Event Management Diploma Program, The Art Institute of Vancouver
Thérèse St Onge, IFEA Canada Director, International Festivals and Events Association

CLOSING KEYNOTE:

Bryan Dodge, President of the Dodge Development Group

How to Build a Better You

Professional speaker, author, and radio show personality Bryan Dodge will open your mind and heart to help you focus on the most essential aspects of life. To accomplish this goal, Bryan teaches a stair-step method on how top producers and effective leaders keep on the cutting edge and achieve excellence.  Bryan’s message on professional growth and personal development focuses on three key areas.  First, he will show you how to have your best year ever.  Second, he will coach you on how to create consistent upward growth in your life. Third, he will train you on how to harness the power of personal energy and tap its unlimited supply. The best part is his delivery style makes learning fun and memorable!