1. WISDOM for CEOs, Presidents and owners of
EXCHANGE Ontario’s Leading growth Firms
2012
100
worth knowing
wisdom worth sharing
Event Guide
March 28 and March 29, 2012
Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre, Markham

2. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012 100
worth knowing
Table of Contents
Minister’s Message 1
Speakers 2
Moderator 5
Panellists 6
Concurrent Workshops 7
Fast-tracking Effective Partnerships 7
Social Media and the Bottom Line 8
Strategies for Raising Capital and Securing Financing 10
HR Strategies 12
Program Details obc

3. Welcome
A Message from Ontario’s Minister of Economic
Development and Innovation
I am very pleased to welcome you to the Ministry of Economic Development
and Innovation’s Wisdom Exchange 2012.
This program serves as a proven resource for CEOs, Presidents and Owners of
Ontario’s Leading Growth Firms, providing a forum for business leaders to discuss
key issues, share strategies and best practices.
Changing business conditions, both in North America and around the world, continue
to impact Ontario. However, what remains a constant is the resilience, ingenuity
and dedication of our province’s business leaders. Where others view global events
and see only daunting challenges, Ontario entrepreneurs continue to look forward in
pursuit of their next opportunity. With this, small and medium enterprises continue
to provide both the foundation of the provincial economy and a path for the future.
The Government of Ontario aims to support the efforts of firms to innovate, expand,
export and grow. The Wisdom Exchange is an example of the ministry’s commitment
to provide Ontario’s business leaders with the tools to assist in meeting dynamic
challenges and to seize the potential ahead.
The goal is to provide access to decision-makers and offer an opportunity to network
with peers and leverage their experiences to help develop your business. Together,
we will continue to build a strong and prosperous Ontario.
I would like to thank you, on behalf of the Province of Ontario, for all of your hard
work in building your companies.
Brad Duguid
Minister
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4. WISDOM
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2012
S P E A K E R S
Forum and Discussion
Dr. Douglas Reid
Associate Professor
Queen’s University School of Business
Douglas Reid has taught strategy and implementation in all
Queen’s School of Business programs, including initiating the first
teaching and learning Ph.D. course.
Douglas is one of the highest-rated instructors in strategy planning, implementation,
and leadership at Queen’s. Specializing in strategic planning with boards and senior
management, and in building organizational resilience, he currently delivers courses
or consults to corporate and government executives in Canada, the US, Europe,
Africa and the Middle East.
His research focuses on understanding how busy executives learn, especially using
education to accelerate the formation of professional judgment. He is researching a
book on the effects of measurement within organizations.
Before joining Queen’s, Douglas was vice-president of an international consulting
company, and has worked in government for a former Ontario Premier and as
Chief of Staff to a provincial Cabinet Minister. He has also served on two corporate
and one Crown agency boards.
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S P E A K E R S
Networking Reception and Dinner
Keynote Speaker
Robert J. Deluce
President and Chief Executive Officer
Porter Airlines Inc.
Robert J. Deluce is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and
respected airline owners and operators.
Robert brings to the industry over 50 years of Deluce family experience in successfully
owning, financing, restructuring, operating and managing a number of regional
airlines in Canada.
His involvement in the aviation industry includes White River Air Services,
norOntair, Austin Airways, Air Creebec, Air Ontario, Air Manitoba, Air Alliance and
Canada 3000 Airlines.
He has been President of Deluce Capital Corp. since 1987, and is currently President
and CEO of both Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary
Porter Airlines Inc.
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6. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012
S P E A K E R S
Plenary Session
Dani Reiss
President and CEO
Canada Goose
Dani Reiss has Canada Goose in his DNA.
For three generations, Dani’s family has owned and operated Canada Goose,
a Canadian manufacturer of the world’s best and warmest parkas and extreme
outerwear. Under Dani’s guidance, Canada Goose has developed into one of
Canada’s fastest growing companies. A vocal advocate of “Made in Canada,”
Dani has earned a reputation for his ongoing commitment to authenticity by refusing
to move the company’s production outside of Canada’s borders.
Dani not only understands the needs and challenges of outerwear manufacturing, he
excels at strong brand management. His passion and commitment to developing
superior quality, and authentic and functional products has truly made Canada Goose
an iconic brand. His strategic approach to marketing has earned Canada Goose
a strong hold in the North American, European and Asian marketplaces, beyond
scientists, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, Canada Goose has become a
staple in contemporary fashion, as fashion and lifestyle retailers answer the call of
consumers who seek strong, authentic, heritage brands that refuse to compromise.
Besides serving as President and CEO of Canada Goose, where he has worked in
every department of the Toronto-based factory—including the down-filling, linings and
assembly departments—Dani is Chairman of Polar Bears International, a Director of
the Down Association of Canada, Canada’s 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the
Year, a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), recipient of Canada’s Top
40 Under 40 for 2008 and is on the advisory board of Queen’s School of Business
Centre for Responsible Leadership.
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Moderator
Tom Clark
Chief Political Correspondent
Global National News
Tom Clark is Global National News’ chief political correspondent and
hosts Global Television’s weekly political program The West Block
with Tom Clark, which discusses issues Canadians want to hear
about the future of their country.
Tom has covered every federal election campaign since 1974, as well as numerous
provincial campaigns. He has interviewed nearly every Prime Minister since Pierre
Trudeau and secured Canada’s first televised interview with a sitting U.S. President
in over 30 years.
Tom has reported from five war zones, most notably from Southern Iraq in 2003.
Prior to his “tour” there, he was the only Canadian reporter in Belgrade during the
Yugoslav war. He also did two coverage tours in the Persian Gulf War, as well as
two tours of duty in Bosnia. In the early 1980s, he was the Bureau Chief in CTV’s
Beijing bureau in China.
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8. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012
P A N E L L I S T S
Economist Panel
In the current volatile global environment, understanding the
influence of world events on the economies of Canada and Ontario
is critical information for SME leaders.
Growth rate estimates, future financing prospects, government policy, the fiscal
health of the United States and our other major trading partners are only a few of
the key issues shaping business conditions today.
The Wisdom Exchange has gathered five prominent economists to bring their
perspectives and opinions of what business can expect for the year ahead and
near future.
After a discussion moderated by Tom Clark of Global National News, the panel will
be available for questions from the audience.
Derek Burleton Peter Hall Robert Hogue
Vice-President & Vice-President and Senior Economist
Deputy Chief Economist Chief Economist RBC
TD Bank Group Export Development Canada
Warren Jestin Benjamin Tal
Senior Vice-President Deputy Chief Economist,
and Chief Economist CIBC World Markets Inc.
Scotiabank Group
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9. 100
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C O N C U R R E N T W O R K S H O P S
Fast-tracking Effective
Partnerships
Business partnerships can be a fast and powerful way to grow the
capabilities and reach of a company, expand its access to capital
and market share, and increase its flexibility while reducing risk.
However, partnerships can also be complex and require a strategy to
address broader issues if different organizations are to collaborate
in a way that meets individual and shared objectives. Share and
discuss winning strategies for building effective partnerships that
benefit all parties.
Presenter
Chris Comeau
Founder and Practice Leader
catalysis³
Christopher Comeau is the Founder and Practice Leader of the catalysis3 team
and the Collaborative Transformation (CT) methodology at the Intersol Group.
CT is a field-proven approach to engage small to large numbers of diverse
stakeholders so that they may arrive at a collaborative solution and accelerate
business results. Christopher and his team work with leading strategic consultants,
facilitators and trainers with over 20 years in the marketplace who collectively have
delivered over 5000 projects in both the public and private sectors.
Christopher is a New Brunswick-born Acadian with over 30 years’ experience in
strategic planning, change management, collaborative solutions, complex problem
solving, facilitation and international marketing. Christopher and the CT team work in
both official languages in a variety of sectors including Health, Environment, Finance,
Information Technology, Higher Education, Research, Hydro & Telecom Utilities,
Transportation, Agriculture, Defence and Aerospace.
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10. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012
C O N C U R R E N T W O R K S H O P S
Social Media and the Bottom Line
Social media has become an essential way for companies to
connect and communicate with customers. But for traditional
manufacturers, the potential benefits of using social media may
seem less clear. This workshop will demonstrate the importance
of an effective Internet presence, search engine optimization,
and show how companies in many sectors are benefiting from
increased communication and interaction with customers, markets
and suppliers via social media.
Workshop Moderator
Derrick Cho
Vice-President, Business Development
Bryan Mills Iradesso (BMIR)
An online advertising and start-up veteran with over two decades of experience,
Derrick has led marketing communications for over a half-dozen start-ups,
headed up The Globe and Mail’s first Internet division, and taken many of the
Fortune 500 online for their very first time.
As one of the original co-founders of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada,
www.iabcanada.com, Derrick has been using email before it became mainstream
and Netscape IPO’d. At BMIR, Derrick leads business development, focusing on
digital marketing solutions. His current clients include The Altus Group, Toronto
Financial Services Alliance (TFSA), Health Quality Ontario, Cancer Care Ontario,
Toronto-Dominion Centre, and of course The Ministry of Economic Development &
Innovation (MEDI).
Follow Derrick on Twitter @derrickcho, friend him on Facebook, www.facebook.com/
derrick.cho or connect with him on LinkedIn, http://ca.linkedin.com/in/clangclang.
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Presenter
Jeff Quipp
Founder and CEO
Search Engine People Inc.
Jeff Quipp is the founder and CEO of Search Engine People Inc. (SEP), Canada’s
largest search and social media marketing firm. SEP has been the recipient
of Profit Magazine’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Canada awards in
2009, 2010, and 2011, a feat Jeff claims is the result of practicing the key
tenets of social media marketing.
Jeff is a frequent speaker at various Internet marketing conferences worldwide,
and is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent authorities on search and social
media marketing. He has an MBA and an undergraduate degree in economics.
Presenter
Spencer Saunders
President
The Juice Agency Inc.
Spencer is a sought-after digital media consultant and the President of
The Juice Agency Inc. Spencer has a rare blend of expertise that includes years
as a designer and programmer, a project manager, creative director and
finally as a consultant.
Spencer holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in New Media from Ryerson University
(2001) as well as a Masters of Design (M. Des) in Strategic Foresight and Innovation
from OCAD University (2011). Spencer’s Master’s thesis, The Future of Connection:
Serendipity and Control in a Networked World, examines the fundamental tensions
in interpersonal communication technology from an end-user perspective and posits
potential futures that may lie ahead.
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12. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012
C O N C U R R E N T W O R K S H O P S
Strategies for Raising Capital
and Securing Financing
Capital to finance operations and growth is essential for businesses.
However, with traditional lenders limiting their risk exposure,
increased global economic uncertainty and rising debt, accessing
capital is becoming more and more difficult. Share and discuss the
strategies that are being used by innovative SMEs to finance and
capitalize on unique opportunities in today’s economy.
Workshop Moderator
Andrew Wilkes
Partner, Management Initiatives Inc.
and Co-chair, National Angel Capital Corporation (NACO)
Mr. Wilkes is an active angel investor, who helps high-growth potential
businesses accelerate growth in traditional and technology sectors –
including software/transaction processing, clean technologies, biomaterials,
warehouse automation, water technologies and financial services. He has a
personal passion to help grow globally oriented businesses internationally.
Mr. Wilkes is a partner in Management Initiatives Inc., a business advisory and
investment firm located in Toronto, Ontario, where he invests, mentors, raises
capital and advises business owners and investment funds.
Mr. Wilkes is also the volunteer co-Chair and a founding member of the National
Angel Capital Organization (NACO), and past-Chairman of the NACO Public Policy
Committee. He is active on numerous boards of directors with private and public
businesses, and volunteer organizations (NACO, the Centre for Commercialization
and the Venture Lab).
Mr. Wilkes holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business (1998 Dean’s Honours
List), a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and a Chartered Accountant designation.
He is an active long distance runner, having completed numerous half and nine full
marathons – including the Boston Marathon three times. In 2010, he completed
his second Boston Marathon with his daughter, hand in hand – a great family
achievement!
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Presenter
John Marshall
President and CEO
Ontario Capital Growth Corporation
John Marshall is serving as the President and CEO of the Ontario Capital
Growth Corporation (OCGF), the agency overseeing the $250 million Ontario
Emerging Technologies Fund (OETF) and manages Ontario’s limited partnership
interests in the $205 million Ontario Venture Capital Fund (OVCF). John has
served in that role since the agency’s establishment in February 2009.
Since launching the OETF, OCGC has been one of the most active investors in
Canada – committing $53.6 million through 32 investments.
In addition to working at OCGC, John has led a range of venture capital policy and
program development work at MRI, as well as leading the ministry’s international,
business development and marketing activities. John has served in the public
service for almost 25 years.
Presenter
Mark Usher
Partner
Wellington Financial LP
Mark began his career in 1988 at Royal Bank and has worked in a number of
commercial banking roles.
Mark was then recruited by Cisco Systems in 2000 to join Cisco Capital’s structured
finance team in Toronto, where he financed the sales of Cisco equipment and
services to sub-investment grade customers in Canada and the U.S. East Coast.
Mark returned to Royal Bank in 2001 to lead the bank’s Information Technology
Banking team in the Greater Toronto Area. In Mark’s last role at RBC, he was the
executive responsible for RBC’s entire Knowledge Based Industries practice in the
Ontario marketplace in addition to the Toronto Tech Banking Group. Mark joined
Wellington as a Partner in the summer of 2006. While at Wellington, Mark has led
over $95 million in transactions with 17 different companies. Mark has his MBA
from Queen’s University and is involved in a number of technology associations
and organizations across North America.
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14. WISDOM
EXCHANGE
2012
C O N C U R R E N T W O R K S H O P S
HR Strategies
As the economy stabilizes, companies that continue to delay critical
hiring decisions are potentially limiting their growth. A solid human
resources strategy can serve as a foundation for tackling this issue and
support corporate innovation plans. Learn how to build comprehensive
HR strategies that help you deal with demographic changes, increased
competition for talent and a new generation of workers with a unique
set of values, needs and expectations of an employer.
Workshop Moderator
Jill Birch
Principal and National Capability Lead, Market Development
Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions
Jill is responsible for driving market awareness and client development for
Knightsbridge’s Leadership Solution Practice.
Previously, she worked at Sheridan College in Oakville, where she was the Vice-
President, Business Development. In that role, Jill was responsible for a $40 million
business unit which included marketing communications, government relations,
corporate training, continuing education, fundraising, and applied research.
Prior to joining Sheridan, Jill was Associate Director, In-Company Development,
International Training and Partnerships for the Schulich School of Business at York
University, where she was responsible for building Schulich’s leadership practice.
She has worked with a wide variety of clients in high-tech, health, energy, public
sector, manufacturing and telecommunications.
Jill has also held VP level roles in some of Canada’s top trade associations including
the Canadian Marketing Association, Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian
Association of Broadcasters.
Jill received her M.A. from the University of Toronto where she researched how Chief
Executive Officers learn to lead and learn to learn. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate
with Griffith University, Australia, where she is researching relational leadership
processes. Jill is a frequent speaker on leadership and management development,
sponsorship and marketing communications.
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Presenter
William Greenhalgh
Chief Executive Officer
Human Resources Professionals Association
Bill Greenhalgh was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Human Resources
Professionals Association (HRPA), Canada’s leading association for human
resource professionals, in April 2006.
His previous positions include President of The Globe and Mail, CEO of
Thomson’s Western Canada Newspaper Group, President of Cinram International,
and COO of Shred it International, as well as various line and staff positions in
General Management, Operations, Marketing and Finance with Nortel Networks.
He is Secretary of the Board for HRPA; a member of the Boards of the North American
Human Resources Associations (NAHRMA), the Human Resources Research Institute
(HRRI) and The Scarborough Hospital; a member of the Champions Council of the
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association; and a past member of the Boards
of the Toronto Symphony, the Commonwealth Games Club and the Canadian
Foundation for the Preservation of Chinese Cultural Treasures.
Presenter
Alex Rodov
Founder and CEO
QA Consultants
Alex Rodov is the Founder and CEO of QA Consultants, North America’s largest
software testing and quality assurance company.
Alex is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on industry best practices,
QA standards and IT governance. Alex has spearheaded the development and
implementation of innovative QA strategies and methodologies for a variety of
industry leaders including Nike, BMO, Citigroup, the Ontario Government, Manulife,
the Government of Canada, Air Canada, and Bell. Previously, he managed
BearingPoint’s North American QA Practice. Alex will be publishing a book on testing
developments and trends – “Testing: A-Z” – in 2012.
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P R O G R A M D E T A I L S
Wisdom Exchange 2012 Hilton Suites, Markham
Wednesday, March 28
3:00 p.m. egistration Opens
R
4:20 p.m. orum and Discussion
F
With Dr. Douglas Reid
Associate Professor, Queen’s University School of Business
5:30 p.m. Opening Reception and Dinner
6:45 p.m. Welcome Remarks
8:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker
Featuring Robert J. Deluce
President and Chief Executive Officer
Porter Airlines Inc.
Thursday, March 29
7:00 a.m. egistration (Breakfast provided)
R
8:00 a.m. our Concurrent Workshops
F
• Fast-tracking Effective Partnerships
• Social Media and the Bottom Line
• Strategies for Raising Capital and Securing Financing
• HR Strategies
10:00 a.m. Workshop Summary by Moderators
10:30 a.m. Economist Panel
Moderated by Tom Clark
C
hief Political Correspondent, Global National News
Derek Burleton
Vice-President Deputy Chief Economist, TD Bank Group
Peter Hall
Vice-President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada
Robert Hogue
Senior Economist, RBC
Warren Jestin
Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, Scotiabank Group
Benjamin Tal
Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC World Markets Inc.
12:00 p.m. Plenary Session
Featuring Dani Reiss
President and CEO, Canada Goose
1:00 p.m. Event Summation and Networking Lunch