Finance, Focus and Forward Thinking

Finance, Focus and Forward Thinking is a day designed to surface the conversations we often avoid but all feel and think about. From financial realities to shifting social norms, from leadership gaps to the growing influence of AI, this is where we move past polite dialogue and into meaningful progress.

Because what we don’t talk about… won’t help create change.

Expect bold insights. Expect meaningful dialogue. Expect to leave energized, connected, and ready to elevate your impact in our industry.

AGENDA

11:30 AM — Arrivals & Hotel Site Tour

12:00 PM — Lunch

12:45 PM — Opening Remarks

12:55 – 1:50 PM — Breakout Sessions | Track 1 & Track 2

Track 1: Succession Planning: The Journey to Your Next Chapter and Who is Replacing Me?

Panelists:

           Panelist 1 - Lynda Hoff, Strategic Business Event & Experience Producer, LNH Strategic Event Management

           Panelist 2: Samantha Mele, Founder & CXO The Creative Connoisseur and Co-Founder, Future of Events

           Panelist 3: Wayne Smith, Hospitality and Events Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University

           Panelist 4: Student Representative

Track 2: The AI Blindspot: What You're Not Using AI For Personally (But Should Be)

Speaker: Dr. Darren Larsen, Family Physician and Digital Health Specialist

1:50 PM — Refreshment Break

2:00 – 3:00 PM — Keynote Presentation: The Freedom Equation: Where Are You in the Race to Financial Independence? Speaker: Bruce Sellery - Business Journalist & Bestselling Author

3:00 – 4:00 PM — Breakout Sessions | Track 3 & Track 4

Track 3: Cannabis Cocktails: The Beverages No One Talks About — But We All Wonder About

Speakers: Lucas Leandro Margulis, Founder & President - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Eric Barth Co-owner & Cannabis Specialist - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Track 4: The Secret Skills: How To Manage What’s Really Happening In Every Conversation

Speaker: Jason Thomson, Connection SuperNova - Speak Up, Get Results

4:00 – 4:30 PM — Closing Remarks

4:30 – 5:30 PM — Cocktail Reception

REGISTRATION

SITE Canada Member - Early Bird to August 31: $125 / After August 31: $150

Non-Member - Early Bird to August 31: $150 / After August 31: $175

Young Leader - $75

Supplier Bring a Planner - Early Bird to August 31: $200 / After August 31: $225

THANK YOU TO OUR LUNCH SPONSOR

THANK YOU TO OUR EDUCATION TRACK SPONSOR

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - The Freedom Equation: Where Are You in the Race to Financial Independence?

Speaker: Bruce Sellery - Business Journalist & Bestselling Author

Bruce Sellery delivers an energetic and practical keynote on building financial confidence and clarity — no matter where you are in life or career. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights to make their financial lives simpler and more empowered.

Topics will include:

● Who has reached financial independence — and how did they get there?

● Smart savings habits you can start today — it’s never too late!

● Education and family financial planning

● Vacation and experiential savings strategies

● RRSP and long-term planning tools

TRACK 1 — Succession Planning: The Journey to Your Next Chapter and Who is Replacing Me?

Panelists:

           Panelist 1 - Lynda Hoff, Strategic Business Event & Experience Producer, LNH Strategic Event Management

           Panelist 2: Samantha Mele, Founder & CXO The Creative Connoisseur and Co-Founder, Future of Events

           Panelist 3: Wayne Smith, Hospitality and Events Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University

           Panelist 4: Student Representative

Succession planning is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of long-term business success. This session explores both sides of the succession equation: how business owners prepare for their eventual exit and how the incentive travel and events industry develops the next generation of talent. Attendees will gain practical insights on leadership transition, business continuity, and closing the gap between education and industry expectations.

Key Topics:

• Why succession planning is essential for businesses of all sizes, including boutique agencies and sole proprietors

• How to prepare your business for a future transition, sale, or leadership handoff

• The emotional, financial, and legal considerations involved in stepping away from a business

• Strategies for attracting, developing, and preparing the next generation of industry talent

TRACK 2 — The AI Blindspot: What You're Not Using AI For Personally (But Should Be)

Speaker: Dr. Darren Larsen, Family Physician and Digital Health Specialist

Most conversations about artificial intelligence focus on workplace productivity, but some of AI’s most valuable applications happen outside the office. In this engaging and practical session, Dr. Darren Larsen explores how AI can support healthier lifestyles, smarter decision-making, and more personalized everyday experiences. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can immediately apply in their personal lives.

Key Topics:

• Using AI as a research and information partner for personal health and wellness

• Creating customized wellness, fitness, and lifestyle plans based on individual needs

• Leveraging AI for financial organization, tax preparation, and personal planning

• Practical ways to integrate AI into everyday life, home management, and decision-making

TRACK 3 — Cannabis Cocktails: The Beverages No One Talks About — But We All Wonder About

Speakers: Lucas Leandro Margulis, Founder & President - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Eric Barth, Co-owner & Cannabis Specialist - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Changing consumer preferences are reshaping beverage programs at events and conferences. As younger generations increasingly embrace alcohol-free and cannabis-infused alternatives, event professionals have an opportunity to better understand this emerging category. This session explores current trends, guest expectations, regulations, and what the future may hold for cannabis beverages in hosted experiences.

Key Topics:

• Consumer trends driving interest in cannabis-infused and zero-proof beverages

• What event planners need to know about offering cannabis beverage experiences

• Regulatory and operational considerations for incorporating cannabis products into events

• Opportunities to enhance guest experiences through evolving beverage preferences

TRACK 4 — The Secret Skills: How To Manage What’s Really Happening In Every Conversation

Speaker: Jason Thomson, Connection SuperNova - Speak Up, Get Results

Every conversation involves more than words alone. Emotions, expectations, power dynamics, and assumptions all influence how people communicate and connect. In this interactive session, communication expert Jason Thomson shares practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, strengthening relationships, and achieving better outcomes in both business and personal interactions.

Key Topics:

• Understanding the hidden dynamics that influence conversations and relationships

• Building stronger connections through intentional communication and active listening

• Managing emotions, expectations, and conflict in high-stakes discussions

• Applying practical conversation strategies to improve collaboration, leadership, and results

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Eric Barth, Co-owner & Cannabis Specialist - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Eric Barth is a dedicated enthusiast of cannabis. As the co-owner of HIGH BAR, he channels his expertise derived from both the cannabis industry and his experience in managing a successful construction company.

Eric dedicates himself to cultivating relationships with leading venues and event spaces across Canada, a key factor in the current success of HIGH BAR.Eric holds the prestigious titles of High Bar Cannabis Sommelier and Certified Budtender. Secure his services for your upcoming event.

Lynda Hoff CMM CMP, Strategic Business Event & Experience Producer - LNH Strategic Event Management

Lynda Hoff is an experienced and accredited chief strategist responsible for customer care and expectation realization in the planning and execution of events and meetings of all sizes and scopes.

She organizes and executive corporate meetings, launches, educational sessions, and celebratory events, all planned with a strategic goal in mind and utmost attention to every detail.

Dr. Darren Larsen, Family Physician and Digital Health Specialist

Dr. Darren Larsen is a family physician, digital health strategist, and board leader with 36 years of experience spanning clinical practice, executive leadership, and national health policy. He chairs the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer — Canada's federal agency for cancer prevention and control — sits on the OntarioMD board, and advises KPMG, PWC, and Salesforce on health system transformation. Earlier in his career he held executive roles at Accenture and TELUS Health.

Darren holds faculty appointments at the University of Toronto and has advised the Ontario Ministry of Health, Canada Health Infoway, and the Canadian Medical Association, among others. His work centres on AI in clinical settings, primary care modernization, and making digital health deliver on its promise. He still sees patients in urgent care in Collingwood, Ontario — which, he'll tell you, is where the real work happens.

Lucas Leandro Margulis, Founder & President - High Bar Hospitality & Event Group 

Lucas Margulis is an event and hospitality professional with experience across the entertainment, fashion, and events industries. After launching several clothing brands, he founded PURE Entertainment in 2014 and later established High Bar, one of Canada's pioneering cannabis hospitality companies, following the legalization of cannabis in 2018.

As founder of both companies, Lucas oversees event experiences, cannabis hospitality services, marketing, product development, and brand strategy. A CannSell-certified cannabis professional, he has been recognized by BizBash and Eventex among Canada's and North America's most influential event industry leaders.

Bruce Sellery, CEO - Credit Canada

Bruce Sellery is a personal finance expert and the CEO of Credit Canada, the country’s first and longest-standing non-profit credit counselling agency. He appears regularly on Breakfast Television, delivers a national money column on CBC Radio, and speaks at events from coast to

coast.

He’s also the host of Moolala: Money Made Simple, a podcast and weekly radio show on SiriusXM, and the bestselling author of two Globe and Mail books, including Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with their money (and what you can do about it).

Bruce is passionate about helping people get out of debt and back into life.

Jason Thomson, Connection SuperNova - Speak Up, Get Results

When it comes to connecting better, smarter and more deeply – you want to know communications leader Jason Thomson.

For more than a generation, this energetic, insightful muppet has helped the world’s most important brands re-think and re-imagine ways to elevate just about every type of communications content imaginable – pitches, panels, presentations, fireside chats, lightning talks, workshops, breakouts, hosting, influencers, Podcasts, videos, storytelling blogging and event journalism.

With SUGR, he applies a next generation learning model to maximized attention, retention, understanding and activation – with short form, high impact, technology-laced skills development.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Please Contact Read Sutton at read.sutton@gmail.com