Events /
AGM & Convention
AGM & Convention
October 17 -19, 2024 | Halifax | The Canadian Chamber Network's must-attend event of the year.
October 17 – 19, 2024 | Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel | Halifax, NS
Our AGM & Convention brings together chamber of commerce executives and community business leaders to discuss the economic and political issues affecting the prosperity of Canadian business and set our policy agenda for the upcoming year.
Press Release: Penny Wise elected new Chair of Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Press Release: Recipients of 2024 Inclusive Growth Awards
Agenda
Click here to view the program
Day 1
Thursday, October 17, 2024
| 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | National Network Lunch: Celebrating Accreditation Congratulations to the chambers that have achieved Accreditation and the chamber professionals who have earned their Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) designation! |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Health and Networking Break |
| 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions for Chamber Staff and Volunteer Board Members Stream A: Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum Inaugural Meeting The inaugural meeting of the Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum marks a significant milestone in the advancement of the Chamber Network across Canada. This forum convenes leaders and decision-makers from chambers of commerce and boards of trade nationwide, both in-person and virtually, to identify crucial issues impacting the development and growth of local chambers and their communities and will encourage collaborative solutions to address these issues. Stream B: Advocacy and Strategic Communications Interactive Panel Discussion Join us for an engaging breakout session tailored for chamber staff, where we delve into crucial advocacy and strategic communications issues that impact the future of business success. This panel brings together seasoned corporate and chamber advocacy professionals to share their critical insights, strategies and best practices with chamber staff members. Moderator: Jessica Brandon-Jepp, Senior Director, Fiscal & Financial Services Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Speakers: The Hon. Geoff Regan, P.C., Senior Advisor, Sandstone Group Lindsay Fernandes, Manager, Public Policy and Stakeholder Relations, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Joel Wiebe, Vice President, Government Relations & Operations, Peterborough & The Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Stream C: Mastering Board Governance Join us for an insightful breakout session tailored for volunteer not-for-profit board members eager to elevate their governance skills. Led by Megan Wallace, a seasoned legal expert with experience in board leadership, this session delves into the crucial aspects of effective board governance for not-for-profit organizations. Speaker: Megan Wallace, Lawyer and Practical Lead, Not-for-Profit and Charity Law, Mann Lawyers |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Evening Reception & Expo Opening with a Special Tribute to the Hon. Perrin Beatty |
| 7:30 p.m. | Enjoy an Evening in Halifax! |
Day 2
Friday, October 18, 2024
| 8:00 a.m. | Buffet Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Keynote Address by Rowena Chan, President, Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. & Senior Vice-President, Retail Advice & Solutions: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Business Discover the transformative power of creativity with Sun Life! With nearly 160 years of experience, Sun Life continues to redefine the financial sector, showing that creativity knows no bounds. Join Rowen Chan as she shares how creativity can drive sustainable growth and impact business. Gain actionable insights and strategies to propel your business forward and leverage the power of the Chamber Network. This will be followed by a fireside chat with the Canadian Chamber’s new President & CEO, Candace Laing. |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Annual General Meeting Consult the notice of the Annual Meeting and the items for discussion Can’t attend? Assign a proxyholder. |
| 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. | Keynote Address by Isabelle Hudon, President & CEO, BDC: The Changing Landscape of Entrepreneurship: Bold Strategies for Canada’s Economic Future Isabelle Hudon, President & CEO of BDC, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, will discuss the changing landscape of entrepreneurship in Canada and how the broader support ecosystem for small business has been evolving. Acknowledging there are still opportunities to do more, Ms. Hudon will argue in favour of bold and targeted efforts to meet the significant economic challenges Canada is facing. At the same time, she will stress the importance of better insights and intelligence about Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs to ensure their success as the engine of the national economy. This will be followed by a fireside chat with entrepreneurs Tareq Hadhad, Founder & CEO of Peace by Chocolate, and Savior Joseph, Past Chair & Director of the Tribe Network and President of Breathing Green Solutions. |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Panel Discussion with Chamber Leaders: Addressing the Productivity Conundrum (delivered entirely in French; simultaneous interpretation devices will be provided to all) We will revisit Canada’s productivity conundrum with Chamber Network leaders to identify those critical issues that impact the future of business success in our country and how chambers can support businesses. This panel discussion with Chamber Network executives from across the country will be delivered entirely in French. Moderator: Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, Vice President, Strategic Policy and Global Partnerships, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Panellists: Caroline Lachapelle, Executive Director, Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce Anthony Azard, CEO, Chambre de commerce Cap-Acadie Mathieu Lavigne, Director, Public & Economic Affairs, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) |
| 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Buffet Lunch Expert Panel Discussion: The U.S. Election and the Bilateral Relationship As one of the most closely watched events globally, the outcome of the U.S. election reverberates across borders, influencing economic policies, trade relations, and market dynamics. Our esteemed panel of experts will analyze and debate how recent shifts in the United States have directly affected Canadian businesses of all sizes and sectors. From trade agreements and regulatory changes to market sentiment and investment patterns, our panelists will provide valuable insights into navigating the evolving U.S.-Canada economic relationship. A key question will be how the U.S. Election outcomes will influence Canadian economic stability and growth prospects. Whether you’re a chamber leader, a staff member or a business owner, this panel offers a unique opportunity to gain strategic perspectives and actionable intelligence on navigating the complex intersection of U.S. politics and Canadian business interests. Moderator: Matthew Holmes, Senior Vice President, Policy & Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Panellists: James Rajotte, Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States, Government of Alberta Trevor Tombe, Director of Fiscal and Economic Policy, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary Laura Dawson, Executive Director, Future Borders Coalition |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Policy Resolution Debates (session 1 of 3) |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Enjoy Halifax! |
| 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Social Evening Hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce at the Alexander Keith’s Brewery |
Day 3
Saturday, October 19, 2024
| 8:00 a.m. | Buffet Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Policy Resolution Debates (session 2 of 3) |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Chief Economist Panel Discussion: Economic Outlook for Small Business With Small Business Week in Canada beginning the following week, please join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the current and future economic outlook for micro and small businesses in Canada. Our distinguished panel of experts will delve into key economic trends and strategic insights to navigate current challenges and seize opportunities in the evolving Canadian business landscape. Moderator: Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Panellists: David Chaundy, President and CEO, Atlantic Economic Council Shaena Furlong, President and CEO, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Buffet Lunch Inclusive Growth Awards Presentation Presented during our AGM & Convention, the Inclusive Growth Awards recognize chambers of commerce, boards of trade and their members across the country that do exceptional work to remove barriers and create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive economy. These awards also recognize Indigenous and other underrepresented entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in innovation and social impact. Learn more! |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo |
| 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Business Data Lab Interactive Workshop In today’s digital age, harnessing the power of data can be especially transformative for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as local Chambers. This interactive workshop dives into the Business Data Lab’s (BDL) data tools and insights, offering a practical roadmap to leverage BDL data more effectively in your daily operations. Speakers: Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Patrick Gill, Senior Director, Operations & Partnerships, Business Data Lab, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Andrew DiCapua, Senior Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Kaviraj Singh, Senior Data Scientist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce |
| 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Closing Ceremonies Handoff to 2025 Host Chamber |
| 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Policy Resolution Debates (session 3 of 3) ONLY IF NECESSARY |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Enjoy Halifax! |
| 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Social Evening Hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce at The Cable Wharf |
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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