The Quay, 100 Queens Quay East, 3rd Floor
In Person
Ontario’s manufacturing sector stands at a crossroads. Leaders are facing unprecedented pressures — rising tariffs, global trade realignments, and rapid technological change. But with these challenges come new opportunities for leaders ready to adapt and thrive.
This half-day forum will explore how Ontario can defend its manufacturing advantage and turn disruption into competitive strength. Join the people shaping Ontario’s manufacturing future — business leaders, policymakers, and innovation experts — to confront today’s pressures head-on and chart a path to growth.
Learn from best practices, explore real-world technology applications, and contribute to a forward-looking policy dialogue that will shape the future of Ontario’s manufacturing playbook.
Compete. Innovate. Lead. The time to act is now.
- 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
Agenda
8:00 – 8:30 am: Networking & Breakfast
Start the day connecting with the leaders defining Ontario’s next industrial era.
8:30 – 8:40 am: Opening Remarks
Setting the stage for a high-stakes conversation: how Ontario can rewrite the rules for manufacturing competitiveness?
- Giles Gherson, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
8:40 - 8:50 am: Special Address
- Phil Jennings, Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
8:50 - 9:05 am: Morning Keynote
- Robert D. Atkinson, Ph.D, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
9:05 – 9:40 am: Rule #1: Adopt Relentlessly — Closing Ontario’s Innovation Gap
AI, quantum, automation — the race is on. This panel tackles one question: how can Ontario manufacturers accelerate technology adoption fast enough to stay in the game?
Hear how leading firms and global peers are scaling innovation, what policies drive success, and what it takes to lead transformation inside your own organization.
Speakers:
Hallie Siegel, CEO, Canadian Robotics Council
Rae Jeong, CEO, Maneva
Moderator:
- Stewart Cramer, Chief Program Officer, NGen Canada
9:40 – 10:15 am: Rule #2: Build the Foundation — Compete on Strength, Not Chance
A competitive economy doesn’t happen by accident. This discussion explores how Ontario can retool its policies, incentives, and infrastructure to make growth inevitable — not optional. Learn what’s working globally and how Ontario can set the conditions for manufacturing leadership in a volatile world.
Speakers:
- Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, Business Council of Canada
- Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chair, Linamar
- Wendy Andrushko, President, DuPont Canada
10:15 – 10:30 am: Coffee Break
Refuel and connect — the ideas get sharper from here.
10:30 – 10:45 am: Presentation: Technology in Action
See how technology adoption translates to measurable gains — and what Ontario firms can learn from real-world success stories.
- Guy Dulude, Vice President Portfolio Development & Sales Acceleration, Siemens Digital Industries Software
10:45 – 10:50 am: Introductory Remarks
- Steve Carlisle, Former Executive Vice-President and President, North America, General Motors & Interim Chair, Advanced Manufacturing Council
10:50 - 11:05 am: Keynote: Rule #3 — Lead Where It Counts
A defining moment for Canadian industry leaders: how to turn trade threats into a manufacturing advantage.
- Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA)
11:05 – 11:30 am: Lightning Talks: Ideas Redefining the Playbook
Fast, focused insights from innovators reshaping Ontario’s talent and productivity landscape.
Introductory Remarks:
- Ali Grovue, Vice President, Ignite Management
Speakers:
- Dr. Craig Stephenson, President & CEO, Centennial College
- Kelly Hoey, Executive Director, HIEC
11:30 – 11:50 am: Rule #4: Seize the Industrial Opportunity — The Defense Advantage
With defense investment set to surge, Ontario stands at the edge of a generational opportunity. This conversation reveals how manufacturers can tap into defense-driven innovation, build domestic capacity, and strengthen supply chains — before others do.
This timely conversation will explore how Ontario can lead in meeting defense demands while driving innovation, economic development, and global competitiveness.
Speakers:
- Berardino Barratta, CEO, MxD Chicago
- Chris Casey, Industrial Manufacturing and Automotive Sector Lead, PwC
11:50 am – 12:00 pm: Closing Remarks
Leading advocacy and driving action for a sector that’s ready and willing to play to win.
- Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Speakers
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Phil Jennings
Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
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Robert D. Atkinson
President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
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Wendy Andrushko
President, DuPont Canada
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Berardino Baratta
CEO, MxD Chicago
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Chris Casey
Industrial Manufacturing and Automotive Sector Lead, PwC
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Stewart Cramer
Chief Program Officer, NGen Canada
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Guy Dulude
Vice President Portfolio Development & Sales Acceleration, Siemens Digital Industries Software
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Ali Grovue
Vice-President, Ignite Management
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Rae Jeong
CEO & Co-founder, Maneva
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Linda Hasenfratz
Executive Chair, Linamar
-
Kelly Hoey
Executive Director, HIEC
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Goldy Hyder
President & CEO, Business Council of Canada
-
Hallie Siegel
CEO, Canadian Robotics Council
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Craig Stephenson
President and CEO, Centennial College
-
Flavio Volpe
President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association
Tickets & Registration
Members
- Single Ticket: $199
- Table of 10: $1,799
Non-Members
- Single Ticket: $249
- Table of 10: $2,490