Meeting dates: September 25 – 27, 2024
Provocative panels, fresh perspectives, thoughtful discussion—and some fun stuff too! Let's dig in.
Dress code for our Board Meeting is business casual with comfortable walking shoes. For our closing dinner we suggest slightly elevated smart casual.
Wednesday, September 25
Be sure to wear your walking shoes for our opening night. Transportation will be on standby in the event of inclement weather.
4:30pm – 5:30 pm | Welcome Reception at Harriet’s Rooftop | 1 Hotel
5:30pm – 6:00pm | Depart 1 Hotel for a walk through Toronto’s iconic Graffiti Alley (weather permitting)
6:00pm – 7:45pm | Break the Ice Cocktail Competition judged by Chef Frankie Solarik
Embrace the allure of Toronto's mocktail/cocktail culture as we gather at Bar Chef, one of the world's most progressive cocktail bars. Amidst the clink of glasses and the buzz of inspiration, you'll have the chance to showcase your mixology skills in a Cocktail Making Competition. Please note that a photographer will be at the event, capturing images for social media and other marketing materials. Please let us know if you would prefer not to be photographed.
7:45pm | Depart BarChef, walking to Lee Restaurant
8:00pm – 10:00pm Taste Toronto | Lee Restaurant by Susur Lee
Experience a celebration of Toronto's diverse culinary landscape at our specially curated dinner at Lee Restaurant, where Chef Susur Lee blends Asian and French influences with creative flair. Each dish reflects the city's cultural tapestry, honouring its rich culinary heritage with every bite.
Thursday, September 26
7:30 | Depart 1 Hotel Toronto Lobby to transfer to Hotel X
Located within the iconic Princes’ Gates of Exhibition Place, this morning we will be meeting in The View on the 28th Floor of Hotel X Toronto.
8:00 am – 8:45 am | Breakfast & Ceremonial Welcome | Hotel X, The View, 28th Floor
8:45am – 10:15am | Your Insight, Our Future: Navigating Tomorrow Together | Presenter: Greg Oates, SVP of Innovation, MMGY NextFactor
Your expertise and insights into market dynamics, customer expectations, and industry trends are invaluable. We rely on our CABs input to inform decisions that align our goals with customer needs and market demands. Your active participation is crucial in crafting a roadmap for Toronto's future success.
10:20am – 11:00am | Our Story Part I | Session Facilitators: Sarah Sime, VP, Client Advice & Head of Project Management, Initiative and Jamie Camden, Group Director, Strategy, Initiative, Initiative Agency
This interactive session aims to understand our CAB's perceptions of Toronto as a brand, how they compare it to other destinations, and how they define Toronto's competitive set. Our CAB's insights will help us identify key strategies and tactics for our marketing and sales efforts.
11:15am – Noon | Our Story, Part II
Noon | Depart Hotel X Toronto Lobby to transfer to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC South Building)
12:20pm – 1:40pm | Lunch at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Room 401
Experience a symphony of local Toronto flavors as you savor beautifully presented, freshly made creations tailored to your palate.
1:40pm – 3:00pm | Revitalization Roundtable: Collaborating for Growth | Presenters: Ron Pellerine, Interim President & CEO, Metro Toronto Convention Centre John Katz, Partner, CSL International
3:00pm– 4:00pm | Toronto’s Waterfront Revitalization: Leading Urban Transformation on a Global Stage | Presenter: Jeff Ross, Director Strategic Development, Waterfront Toronto
Imagine hosting your next meeting or convention against the backdrop of Toronto's evolving downtown waterfront. Over the past 15 years, this area has been transformed from parking lots and derelict buildings into vibrant, accessible, and inclusive neighborhoods. In this session, we invite you to envision how architecturally distinctive designs and culturally meaningful spaces, coupled with innovative green building practices, could contribute to the success of business events in our city. Your feedback on the transformation of Toronto's waterfront will help us explore how these developments can create memorable event experiences for your attendees, from sustainable venues to engaging public spaces to urban innovation.
4:00pm – 5:00pm | Cheers to 40 Years
This year, our Centre is marking a dazzling 40 years of igniting inspiration, sparking ideas, and crafting unforgettable memories. Since 1984, the MTCC has hosted over 22,000 events and welcomed more than 69 million attendees. Join us as the MTCC pulls back the curtain to reveal the secrets behind four decades of creating truly iconic moments.
5:00pm | Return to 1 Hotel Toronto for some R&R
6:45pm | Depart 1 Hotel Toronto Lobby to transfer to Arcadia Earth
7:00pm | Dinner Beyond Tomorrow
Take a glimpse into our vision of Toronto's Utopian sustainable future. Explore the immersive installations of Arcadia Earth, followed by a multi-sensory dining experience that blends technology with nature.
Nightcaps, Flora Lounge, at 1 Hotel
Friday, September 27
6:45am – 7:30am | Yoga on the Garden Rooftop | Third Floor Terrace at 1 Hotel | By RSVP only
Weather permitting
8:30am – 9:15am | Buffet Breakfast | Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel
9:15am | Depart 1 Hotel Lobby, walking to Sutton Place Hotel
9:30am – 10:30am | Banking on Intellectual Capital | Speakers: Daniel Hengeveld, Vice President, Investment Attraction, Toronto Global, Jennifer van der Valk, SVP, Communications & Marketing, Toronto Region Board of Trade and Andrew Weir, President & CEO, Destination Toronto
How does a city's intellectual capital make a meeting more successful? As Toronto continues to rise up the charts as a global tech hub, financial centre and creative economy, the door opens ever wider to meetings and events to take full advantage of it. This discussion features the three organizations that have come together to form a unique partnership called Toronto Inc, on the economic sectors driving Toronto, followed by a CAB Interactive discussion on what that means for savvy business event strategists.
10:30am – 10:45am | Coffee & Communications Break
10:45am – 11:45am | Where we Gather Matters
Join author and speaker Leor Rotchild as he explores how events can serve as catalysts for societal change. In this session, Rotchild will engage with our CAB members on innovative ways to leverage events to drive meaningful impact and transformation.
11:45am – 12:30pm | Navigating the Unspoken
Our facilitator, David Kliman will lead this session, where we will delve into the "third rail" topics—those sensitive and often avoided issues that significantly impact our organization and industry. Our goal is to create an open and respectful environment where we can address these challenging subjects head-on.
12:30pm – 12:40pm | Meeting Summary & Adjournment
12:45pm – 2:00pm | Farewell Lunch | Abrielle at Sutton Place Hotel
As our time together draws to a close, we’d love to celebrate with you one last time. Please join us for a heartfelt farewell family-style lunch!
2:00pm | Return walk to 1 Hotel
Departures
