Speakers

Time: 28 November – Tuesday – 10:30 am

Doug Griffiths is a wildly popular community strategist and author of two best-selling editions of “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. He has supported, guided, and inspired hundreds of communities to create effective change. Whether through speaking and presentations or through advising and consulting, he is dedicated to helping communities across North America find their own pathway to success. He grew up on a ranch outside a small town where he learned the value of hard work, critical thinking skills, and the value of community. That background led him into politics, but he insists he has since been through rehab and is fully recovered. His experience in politics gave him a deep understanding of how to move people and get things done. He deliberately retired from politics in January 2015, after serving for 13 years, to return to his passion for community building.

Time: 28 November – Tuesday – 1:45 pm

Time: 29 November – Wednesday – 3:00 pm

Time: 28 November – Tuesday – 3:30 pm

General ‘Walt’ Natynczyk is a modern-day leader with a business administration degree and a master’s degree in strategic studies, who speaks the language of values, loyalty and humility. While he believes goal #1 is mission success, Natynczyk knows you cannot achieve a mission without caring for your team, building trust, and ensuring they have all the tools to do their job effectively. Easy-going yet in-command and committed, he’s self-described as “Walt from Winnipeg…always remembering my roots in North end of Winnipeg.” With over 30 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, including a stint as Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, Natynczyk has extensive leadership experience. He’s led Canadian troops in high-pressure situations across the globe, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Bosnia. He’s overseen the Canadian Forces’ response to natural disasters and other crises. And he’s received numerous awards and honors for his service, including the Order of Canada and the Meritorious Service Cross. But Natynczyk’s experience doesn’t end there. He’s also served as the President of the Canadian Space Agency, where he oversaw the development and implementation of Canada’s space program and represented Canada on the international stage. His unique perspectives on innovation and technology can help any organization stay ahead of the curve. During this keynote, Natynczyk will speak about the importance of values like integrity, courage, and respect, which are critical for success in any organization. And you’ll get a glimpse into the world of innovation and technology, from someone who’s been on the forefront of Canada’s efforts in this area.

Time: 29 November – Wednesday – 9:00 am

Is your municipality prepared for the rapidly increasing wave of artificial intelligence that’s already here and is rapidly changing our world in countless ways, both positive and negative? Are you aware of when you’re being influenced or worse, manipulated by someone else? The current Internet is filled with digital platforms of all types including narrow AI that deploy sophisticated algorithms designed to influence online audiences with the goal of getting you to take a specific action. In reality, you as an individual, and as you’ll learn, as a municipal government have little actual control over your own digital brand, personal identity, data ownership, operations, finances, security, safety and privacy. This is why it’s vital that you join veteran presenter Walter Schwabe for this exciting, raw, and educational journey into the world of artificial intelligence and its future transformative potential to deliver amazing new forms of value to municipalities and their citizens. Walter will also make attendees aware of the very serious implications associated with AI, implications that your municipality regardless of size absolutely cannot ignore! You’ll remain on the edge of your seat as Walter ignites your imagination with the delivery of a valuable roadmap designed to explain the expected path forward towards a hyperconnected digital universe filled with intelligent software agents and more importantly…what this means to you and your community.

Time: 29 November – Wednesday – 1:15 pm

Time: 29 November – Wednesday – 1:25 pm