Opening Keynote

Rod Bryden - The Challenges, Risks and Rewards of a Serial Entrepreneur
President & CEO, Plasco Energy Group

Mr. Rod Bryden is President and Chief Executive Officer of Plasco Energy Group Inc. Plasco applies plasma arc technology to produce synthetic gas from various feed stocks, including Municpal Solid Wastes, and uses that gas to generate electricity.

Mr. Bryden is the majority owner and Chairman of SC Stormont Inc., which specializes in the leadership and development of small to mid-sized Canadian businesses. Mr. Bryden is also a Director and Chairman of PharmaGap Inc., Plasco Energy Group Inc. and Clearford Industries Inc.

Mr. Bryden began his career as Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. Moving to Ottawa, he held positions with the Government of Canada before he co-founded and became President of Systemhouse Ltd.

He then founded Paperboard Industries Corporation (PIC) which became Canada's largest manufacturer of paper from recycled fibre and paperbox packaging.

In 1992, he became the principal owner of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and The Palladium Corporation which, in 1996, opened the Corel Center, home of the Ottawa Senators.

Also in 1996 Mr. Bryden co-founded World Heart Corporation and was President and CEO of WorldHeart until 2004.

Mr. Bryden founded SC Stormont Inc in 2004 and became President of Plasco in 2005.

Luncheon Keynote

Dianne Buckner - The Top 10 Things I’ve Learned on Venture
Host and Producer of CBC Televisions Gemini Award winning series Venture

Dianne Buckner is the host of CBC Television's Gemini award-winning weekly business and current affairs series Venture. Even after more than a decade of reporting for Venture, and six years as host, Dianne is still excited by the drama and intrigue inside the stories of the business world. She also occasionally anchors news programs such as Newsworld Today and CBC News Morning.

Dianne joined the CBC in 1991, after reporting for the CTV National News and working as backup host for Canada AM. Her first hosting role on a network show was on the popular CTV series Live It Up!, a magazine style program best known for its off-kilter take on consumer and life style issues.

This past season on Venture, Dianne distinguished herself in the field with her coverage of Iceland’s plan to be the first nation to phase out fossil fuel, moving towards a ‘hydrogen-powered economy’. She also had a memorable encounter with Bernard Ebbers, the Canadian-born former CEO of scandal-plagued WorldCom, after a four-hour stake-out. But most surprising was having Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoon, describe her messy cubicle as “palatial” (because it features a television AND a printer).

This coming season Dianne is looking forward to telling more stories of resourceful Canadians with ideas about how to survive our ever-more-unpredictable economy.

Seminar Series Speakers

Michael J. Hughes - Six-Figure Networking!

Known as THE Networking Guru, Michael Hughes has done extensive research on, and is a specialist in, utilizing networking as a business strategy.

Michael’s most unique characteristic is that he has built his company from an idea to a six-figure speaking and consulting practice using networking as his sole marketing strategy.

His client list includes Alcatel, Scotiabank, Delta Hotels, Sun Microsystems of Canada, Investors Group, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, University of Ottawa MBA program and the Conference Board of Canada.

Colleen Francis - Discover how to sell more, in less time while making even more money!
Engage Selling Solutions

Colleen Francis is driven by a passion for people—motivating them to reach for the highest standards of success. For over 15 years, she has studied the business habits of the top 20% of sales performers in organizations of all sizes and shapes-from Fortune 500 companies, to small- and medium—sized businesses. Through her company, Engage Selling Solutions, Colleen has condensed that winning formula into an internationally acclaimed sales-training approach, helping sales and marketing professionals everywhere achieve their maximum potential.

Nicholas Newton - Four Ways to Grow Your Business
Results Systems Incorporated

Nicholas Newton is a builder of businesses. Personally, he has developed Newton & Company, Chartered Accountants, Results Systems Incorporated, and The Frouin Group. For the past several years, he has concentrated in building his clients’ businesses. He does this through extensive problem identification and solution recommendation. His strong belief that value is not provided unless ideas are implemented has required him to develop strong interpersonal skills to ensure that his clients implement effective solutions. Nicholas has studied facilitation and mentoring and applies these techniques to execute strong results. He is also trained in seminar presentation and public presentations.

Barry Fournier - How to do Business with the Federal Government
Senior Training Advisor, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME), Public Works and Government Services Canada

Mr. Fournier has been delivering information sessions on how to do business with the federal government for over ten years. He also acts as liaison with suppliers and chambers of commerce to expand their marketing efforts and increase their understanding of the potential business opportunities within the federal government. Mr. Fournier works in the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) at Public Works and Government Services Canada. Under OSME is the Business Access Canada (BAC) program that was created to improve supplier and buyer awareness of federal business opportunities and of the Government of Canada procurement system. Mr. Fournier works to increase the visibility of the BAC program within the supplier community.

Pauline Fleming - Leading Leaders: Preparing To Reach The Next Level Through Your Business Relationships!
Owner, PRO-Active Possibilities

Pauline Fleming is a proactive change catalyst for those ready to reach their next level.
For over 20 years, Pauline has coached high-performance individuals & teams; initially as a teacher and athletic coach and now in the business arena. Through this experience, Pauline has identified core traits which form the PRO-Active Possibilities Coaching process.

A published author, international speaker, wife, mother, award winning business owner and international high-performance coach, she has achieved the perfect blend of work-life balance. Pauline is referred to as “positively contagious”, gets to the point and gets people thinking—then holds them accountable to implementing. The PRO-Active Possibilities customized approach guides high achieving individuals and organizations to reach their next level.

As a Master Certified Coach—the highest recognized coaching credential world-wide, Pauline has guided the personal & professional growth of high performers around the world. Her extensive resource list matches her clients breadth and depth from individuals to international corporations such as Proctor & Gamble, Rogers Communications, Canadian Tire, Standards Council Canada and more. Pauline's clients reach the next level by focusing on their strengths, keeping it simple and making PRO-Active choices.

Geoffrey Cantello - Common Legal Mistakes that Keep Lawyers in Business
Partner, Nelligan O'Brien Payne

Geoffrey Cantello is a partner with Nelligan O’Brien Payne and practices primarily in the areas of Municipal Law and Construction Law. Geoff also has many years of experience dealing with Commercial Real Estate matters and general Business Law issues.

David Stout - Common Legal Mistakes that Keep Lawyers in Business
Partner, Nelligan O'Brien Payne

David Stout is a partner with Nelligan O’Brien Payne. For over 30 years he has been providing legal services to organizations of every size. From not-for-profit organizations to large international companies, he regularly provides advice to clients on all aspects of corporate, business, and ancillary issues - including strategic planning, strategic alliances and long-range policy issues that may affect business.

Micheline Lesage - Travailler plus, mais pas plus fort

A bilingual member of senior management, Micheline Lesage has more than 23 years’ experience in the fields of arts, culture and administration at the national and international levels. She has extensive experience in policy and program management, public consultation, organizational development and partnership negotiation with a wide variety of ministries and agencies.

During her tenure as Director of the Arts Division of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Council significantly increased the participation of francophones from outside Quebec and of Quebec anglophones in the peer assessment committees that assess applications and make recommendations for Council support.

On behalf of the Canada Council, Ms Lesage signed the multiparty agreement for the development of the Canadian francophonie’s arts and culture with the National Arts Centre, the National Film Board and the CBC.

She has edited hundreds of documents (policies, programs, recommendations) for the Council’s Board of Directors in both official languages, and trained numerous assistants in the art of writing minutes. Through her experience in managing national boards of directors, she has gained considerable knowledge and practical skills in managing meetings.

Céline Côté - La synergie d’équipe : Une contribution à la performance!

Céline Côté is a consultant in skills development with training in industrial relations and organizational psychology. She contributes over 15 years’ experience in counselling services with managers and employees, helping them improve organizational efficiency and individual satisfaction. She has a substantial amount of experience in skills development and career transitioning with different client groups. An experienced trainer and the designer of a number of workshops focusing on the psychology of work, productive team building and decision-making. With a passion for success, her professional relationships are imbued with her sense of ethics and her quest for excellence.

Édith Laframboise - Réussir en affaire avec internet (le Référencement)

Édith has extensive experience in training and mentoring. Among other places, she has worked as a mentor in the Faculty of Arts Mentoring Centre and tutored at Hull’s S.O.S études Outaouais. She was also a teaching assistant at École Saint-Jean Baptiste (in L’Orignal).

Édith joined the Student Connections program as a business trainer. This Industry Canada program, in partnership with Cité des Affaires, allows SMEs to discover the importance and advantages of e business and the Internet in business development.

Gary Katz - Knowledge is Power: Income Tax Planning for Small Business

After graduating from McGill University, Gary obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 1982 and is actively involved with owner/manager businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes and complexity. Gary assists his clients with a wide range of services including audit and assurance, human resources, expense analysis, profitability analysis, succession, corporate financing, cash flow management, growth strategies, planning, strategic taxation matters, and business advisory services. He has been a volunteer with Kiwanis club of Rideau (Ottawa), Ottawa-Carleton Board of Trade, is a past Treasurer of Canadian Mothercraft and was a trustee of the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

Jason Valente - Knowledge is Power: Income Tax Planning for Small Business

Jason graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Highest Honours) in 1997. Immediately after graduation, he began his career in professional accounting at an international public accounting firm. He acquired his Chartered Accountant designation in 1999. In 2002, he joined Logan Katz LLP. He is responsible for providing audit, accounting, taxation and business advisory services to organizations of various sizes in many industries. He also has expertise in processing claims for scientific research and experimental development investment tax credits.

Jason Dunkerley - Exceeding Your Goals: How to Win in Any Competitive Environment

Obstacles do not impede Jason Dunkerley. He has defied his physical circumstances to capture gold medals and become a top male track and field athlete. He is the epitome of determination, perseverance and discipline

Blind since birth, Jason set about on a mission of success. That he is winning might surprise some, that he is even racing would surprise almost everyone. In 2006, the Hamilton runner won a gold medal in the 1500m at World track and field championships in the Netherlands, only 6 months after suffering a hairline fracture to his fibula bone and torn knee ligaments after being hit by a car while running with a friend in Ottawa. Jason has also represented Canada at the 2005 European Paralympic track and field championships, winning the gold in the 1500m, and silver at the 2004 Paralympic Games. Jason has also been honoured as the 2004 Ottawa male athlete of the year, the first athlete with a disability to receive this award.