Program

Session: State of the Industry: A Canadian Meeting Planner's Point of View

Independent planners are facing a new competitive reality as mergers, acquisitions, and mega-firms reshape the Canadian events landscape.  This session cuts through the noise to examine how consolidation is changing the game - and what small event businesses must do to stand out.  This candid panel examines what it takes to stay competitive, where independence creates advantage (and risk), and the strategic paths forward.  Build, partner, or sell - what path comes next.

Presented by:  Dionne Bishop, Sebestian David, and Cass Bayley

Please note:  This session is for event planners only.

Opening Keynote Speaker:  Mastering Your Event Superpower:  Storytelling, Perception & Human Connection

Master storytelling, perception, and human connection techniques that turn your unique strengths into a competitive advantage in today's market. Yan Markson is a world-class mentalist, speaker, and perception strategist who explores the powerful intersection of mindset, storytelling, and human behaviour. His keynotes are designed to both entertain and shift perspectives, sparking new ways of thinking and leaving audiences energized with unforgettable experiences.

Presented by:  Yan Markson

Sponsored by    

Session: Gathering In Story and Wisdom

Join us for an inspiring and enriching experience with Lyndon J. Linklater, a respected traditional Knowledge Keeper and gifted storyteller. With a strong educational foundation in Indian Social Work, Indian Studies, and law, Lyndon brings both depth and authenticity to his work. He is a proud citizen of Thunderchild First Nation (Plains Cree) in Treaty 6, with familial roots in Couchiching First Nation in Treaty 3.

Presented by:  Lyndon J. Linklater, Indigenous Relations Advisor at Remai Modern in Saskatoon

Sponsored by:  

Hotel Saskatchewan Activation

Daily at 5:00 p.m., the hotel invites you to experience their signature Autograph Moment, a shared whiskey toast inspired by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Prohibition era. Marked by a train whistle, it honors the hotel’s history and the spirit of connection.

Breakfast sponsored by 

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Rapid Fire Ted Talk

Session 1: Your Personal Brand as Your Secret Weapon: Standing out in today’s world | 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM

Develop a strategic personal brand and professional presence that differentiates your business in today's competitive landscape, creating memorable client touchpoints that position you as the premium choice over larger firms and anonymous competitors. - Key Angle: Independents need to stand out to book more business.

Presented by: Dean Renwick - Runway to Success 

Session 2: Sustainability Management Made Easy   | 9:50 AM - 10:10 AM

This high‑energy, no‑nonsense 20‑minute session is designed for meeting planners who care about sustainability but feel buried by the time, tracking, and terminology. Instead of adding another overwhelming “should” to your overflowing to‑do list, this rapid‑fire talk reframes sustainability as a series of small, smart, high‑impact moves that fit naturally into the planning workflow you already use.

Presented by: Liz Akey, Owner & Founder of EMA and Desmond Lomas, Business Development Account Manager Eastern Canada, Business Events, Explore Edmonton

Session 3: Designing for Connection: The Evolution of Event Planning | 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM 

Dawn Becker, Founder & President of BPL Events, brings more than 25 years of experience and a distinct perspective on how planners shape not just events, but the relationships and outcomes they create.  In this keynote, she shares her own evolution and a connection-first approach to event design, the session also explores how seeing your work through this lens can open up new opportunities, strengthen your positioning, and shape what comes next.

Presented by: Dawn Becker, Founder & President, BPL Events

Session: From Confused to Confident: Mastering Your Business Taxes

The CRA Liaison Officer Service will provide confidential support to small businesses and self-employed individuals.  Gain a clear understanding of tax obligations, practical information to improve bookkeeping and records, and an awareness of common tax error that can be avoided.  Learn CRA tools and resources that save time, reduce stress and support better tax compliance.  Feel confident about your business taxes.

Presented by: Gina Loucks, Senior Liaison Officer, Canada Revenue Agency and Temiloluwa Adepoju (Temi), Senior Liaison Officer, Canada Revenue Agency

Education sponsored by 

Travel to Showcase

Awards Dinner at Hotel Saskatchewan sponsored by

Special Champagne Toast sponsored by 

8:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m

Breakfast sponsored by

Session: Case Study: AI as Your Business Equalizer

Bring Your Own Laptop and Implement specific AI tools and workflows that enable small event businesses to operate with the efficiency and capability of larger teams, allowing independents to compete head-to-head with bigger firms in client service delivery and internal operations. (Possible case study that Trevor works through with the group).

Presented by: Trevor Sookraj

Sponsored by 

Session: The Human Edge: What AI can't Replace - Strategic Discussion

Relationship Building - How to build client relationships in today’s market. 

Presented by: Niesa Silzer, Dionne Bishop, and Laura Bickle

Business Associate Advisory Council Panel

Wascana Park Walk