Innovate to Compete: The Advanced Manufacturing Imperative

• Manufacturing leaders from sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, food processing, energy, and advanced materials
• Innovation and technology executives driving adoption of AI, quantum computing, robotics, and smart manufacturing solutions
• Policymakers and economic development officials at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels
• Industry associations, hubs, and accelerators supporting manufacturing growth and innovation
• Academic and technical leaders from universities, colleges, and applied research centres
• Investors and venture partners focused on scaling advanced manufacturing and deep-tech ventures

8:00 – 8:30 am: Networking & Breakfast

8:30 – 8:35 am: Opening Remarks

• Giles Gherson, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

8:35 – 8:50 am: Opening Keynote

8:50 – 9:25 am: Unpacking the Technology Adoption Challenge

Canada’s manufacturing sector faces a pressing imperative: to keep pace with rapid technological advancement or risk falling further behind global competitors. This panel will explore the complex challenge of technology adoption in Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector, with a focus on transformative technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and automation.

Panelists will examine the key drivers of successful tech adoption—ranging from corporate leadership and capital investment to digital infrastructure—and discuss the characteristics that define high-performing jurisdictions and firms globally. The conversation will explore policy solutions to accelerate adoption, including the role of innovation clusters, technology hubs, and targeted government supports.

This discussion will offer practical insights for business leaders and policymakers seeking to close the innovation gap and build a more competitive, future-ready manufacturing ecosystem in Ontario.

• Hallie Siegel, CEO, Canadian Robotics Council

• Rae Jeong, CEO, Maneva AI

Moderator:

• Stewart Cramer, Chief Program Officer, NGen

9:25 – 9:40 am: Technology Adoption in Action

• Guy Dulude, Vice President Portfolio Development & Sales Acceleration, Siemens Digital Industries Software

9:40 – 10:20 am: Laying the Foundations for Growth

To position Ontario’s manufacturing sector for long-term success, we must ensure the fundamentals for growth are in place. This panel will explore how government policy, business supports, and strategic investments can be reimagined to better enable innovation, resilience, and competitiveness in the advanced manufacturing economy.

Discussion will focus on modernizing innovation and business support programs, improving tax and regulatory environments, and unlocking growth in emerging sectors. Panelists will also share lessons and case studies from other jurisdictions that have successfully aligned industrial policy with economic opportunity.

This session will offer actionable insights on how Ontario can strengthen its economic foundation and create the conditions necessary for manufacturers to invest, grow, and lead on the global stage.

• Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, Business Council of Canada
• Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chair, Linamar
• Wendy Andrushko, President, DuPont Canada

10:20 – 10:30 am: Coffee Break

10:30 – 10:45 am: Keynote Address

• Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA)

10:45 – 11:15 am: Lightning Talks

Introductory Remarks:

• Ali Grovue, Vice President, Ignite Management

11:15 – 11:55 am: Defense Spotlight – Seizing the Industrial Opportunity

With Canada’s commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, the country faces a generational opportunity to align national security priorities with industrial growth. This panel will examine what this shift means for Ontario’s manufacturing sector—particularly in building critical infrastructure, strengthening domestic supply chains, and scaling innovation. 

Discussion will explore how to modernize and streamline procurement policy to support Canadian firms, especially SMEs, and how to ensure long-term industrial benefits from public investment. Panelists will draw lessons from global models such as DARPA (U.S.) and JADC (Japan) to understand how research, development, and commercialization can be accelerated through strategic coordination. 

The session will also highlight the role of BOREALIS—Canada’s new Bureau of Research, Engineering, and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science—and its potential to serve as a catalyst for defense-led innovation and collaboration between government, industry, and academia. 

This timely conversation will explore how Ontario can lead in meeting defense demands while driving innovation, economic development, and global competitiveness. 

• Bererdino Barratta, CEO, MxD Chicago
• More speakers to be confirmed shortly

11:55 am – 12:00 pm: Closing Remarks

• Giles Gherson