Sunday, November 1

14:00 - 18:00
Hilton Kennebecasis Room

Tourism Industry Association of Canada Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, November 2 - Summit Warm-up Workshops

07:30 - 10:00
Hilton Kennebecasis Room

Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Associations (PTTIA) Committee Meeting
(Private Meeting)

09:00 – 11:30
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Concurrent Session: A Certification Program for Sustainable Tourism Businesses in Canada, presented by BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism
Speakers: Randy Williams, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada; Judy Adams, Managing Director, BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism

Canada is moving towards a national certification program for sustainable tourism businesses.  Tourists’ consciousness of their carbon footprint while traveling is higher than ever before, therefore their ability to cut through the ‘green washing’ and make better informed buying decisions on their tourism experiences will differentiate our destination over others.  Learn about our progress towards this national certification program and the criteria to be implemented.

British Columbia has become a world leader in sustainable practices in a number of fields, and the tourism industry is no exception. British Columbia's tourism industry and the provincial government have taken major steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry. Learn about the joint strategic approach and the current projects underway in BC.

In recognition of the current concerns that many tourism businesses have with regards to the next wave of the H1N1 flu in Canada, TIAC has added a special session on Monday, November 2 at 10:00 am to provide delegates with information on how best to prepare their organizations for this potential threat.

David Fardy, General Manager of Personnel Services will deliver a presentation titled Family Readiness is Corporate Readiness – Engaging Employee Households to Protect Them (And Your Business) from the Pandemic. This session will outline some of the best practices undertaken by the Irving group of companies to prepare themselves, and will offer insights on the steps that enterprises of all sizes can take to get ready for the coming flu season. This is a can’t miss session for tourism businesses.

Launch of Canada's Tourism Leadership Summit

12:00 - 13:30
SJTCC Marco Polo Room

Opening Luncheon – Canada’s 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosted by Air Canada & VIA Rail Canada
Speaker: Raymond Chan, Chair, 2010 Tourism Consortium

An update on the activities and preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  How will the tourism industry benefit in the long term from hosting the games on Canadian soil?

14:00 - 15:15
SJTCC Loyalist Room

TIAC Annual General Meeting - Open to all delegates

TIAC reports to its members, the owners of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, on its past year’s activities and plans for the future, with updates from the President/CEO, Chair and the financial committee.  Full members will vote for TIAC’s 2009-10 Board of Directors.

15:15 - 15:30
SJTCC Foyer

Networking Break & Refreshments

15:30 - 16:00
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Remarks from the Honourable Diane Ablonczy

The Hon. Diane Ablonczy, Federal Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism) addresses delegates on the Federal Tourism Strategy.

16:00 - 16:30
SJTCC Loyalist Room

TIAC Bearpit Session

We want to hear from you! This is your opportunity to share the issues and challenges that affect you and your organization.  Bring your concerns forward and help your association serve you better through this frank and lively discussion. 

16:30 - 17:30
Hilton Kennebecasis Room

TIAC's New Board of Directors Meeting

18:00 – 20:00
Market Square Atrium

Opening Reception

New Brunswick’s Department of Tourism and Parks and Tourism Saint John invite you to a reception to kick off the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s 2009 Conference.

Click here to view the invitation (.pdf)

Tuesday, November 3

08:00 - 09:30
SJTCC Marco Polo Room

‘Sunnyside Up’ Opening Breakfast – Building Success, hosted by Deloitte
Speaker: Don Bell, Founder and Former Executive Vice-President, WestJet

The tourism industry has been through challenging times before and will come through this difficult period stronger than ever.  There are signals that the economy is improving and that opportunities for success are upon us. The tourism industry’s success or failure has always hinged on people; in fact, tourism is often referred to as the people business. Don Bell’s captivating presentation will describe how to build an optimal environment for success. His simple formula will enable tourism operators to maximize the future potential.

09:45 - 10:45
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Overcoming Canada’s Competitive Disadvantage
Speaker: Ryan Brain, Partner, Tourism Lead, Deloitte

According to the World Economic Forum, Canada has become one of the world’s most expensive travel destinations.  The appreciating Canadian dollar and Canada’s high structural transportation costs are limiting Canada’s ability to remain competitive in the global tourism marketplace.  Mr. Brain will share some new primary research performed by Deloitte that considers how we can address these current realities and better compete for the international traveller’s dollar.

10:45 - 11:15
SJTCC Foyer

Networking Break & Refreshments

11:15 – 12:15
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Air Access – Open Skies and Bilaterals – Where are the gaps?
Speakers: Joseph Galimberti, Executive Committee member, National Airlines Council of Canada; Jim Facette, President and CEO, Canadian Airports Council

12:30 - 14:00
SJTCC Marco Polo Room

Luncheon: Canada-e-Connect at the Summit
Speaker: Douglas Quinby, Senior Director, Research, PhoCusWright

TIAC’s partner on the presentation of the signature Canada-e-Connect event is PhocusWright – a leading organization on trends and research in e-distribution.  Delegates will learn about the latest research on US consumer trends related to shopping and purchasing tourism electronically.

14:15 – 16:00
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Panel Discussion – A perspective on trends from four tourism industry sectors
Moderator: Wayne St. John, President, Publicitas; Panelists: Johanne Bélanger, President, AVW-Telav; Laird Munro, Director of Operations, WestJet Vacations, Bill Knowlton, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Jonview Canada; Gopal Rao, Regional Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Canada, InterContinental Hotels Group;

Different sectors within the tourism industry, including the accommodation, transportation, travel trade, attractions and meeting/convention sectors have been impacted in different ways and are tackling the challenges differently. This informal and interactive session will allow delegates to learn more about how their colleagues are coping with today’s issues and what trends they see emerging as a result.

16:00 – 17:00
SJTCC Loyalist Room

A Canadian Success Story
Presented by Women in Tourism
Speaker: Anne Arsenault, Tourism Operator and CTC Regional Private Sector Representative for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island

Canada’s Women in Tourism will provide an exciting presentation that will motivate and inspire you.  This session will address some of the current issues and challenges our industry is faced with today.

17:30 - 18:15
Delta Brunswick Hotel - Trinity Royal Room

National Awards for Tourism Excellence - Finalist and Sponsors Reception, hosted by Expedition Media
(by invitation only)

18:15 - 19:00
Delta Brunswick Hotel - Royal Ballroom Foyer

National Awards for Tourism Excellence - Gala Reception

19:00 - 21:45
Delta Brunswick Hotel - Royal Ballroom

National Awards for Tourism Excellence - Gala Dinner
Presented by The Globe and Mail

Wednesday, November 4

08:00 - 09:30
SJTCC Marco Polo Room

'Over-easy Breakfast' – A few Provincial Experiences, hosted by Deloitte
Panelists: Cathy Duke, Deputy Minister, Tourism, Culture & Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; Robin Garrett, President & CEO, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC); Stephen Regan, President and CEO, Council of Tourism Associations (British Columbia)

What are provincial marketing organizations and governments doing to promote tourism and overcome economic challenges?  Hear what unique – and similar – approaches are being pursued in three Canadian provinces.

09:30 - 10:30
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Industry and Government Partnerships That Are Working – Walking the Talk!
Presenters: Don Cudmore, Secretariat, Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP); Alan Latourelle, President and CEO, Parks Canada

Two examples of successful partnerships between Government agencies and the private sector are featured in this presentation.  Gain insight into how they work and why they are successful; how can these examples form the template for growing current partnership and developing others.

10:30 - 10:45
SJTCC Foyer

Networking Break & Refreshments

10:45 - 12:30
SJTCC Loyalist Room

Facing the Tourism Challenge - Canadian Tourism Commission Annual Public Meeting and Global Marketing Campaign
Presented by the Canadian Tourism Commission
Speaker: Michele McKenzie, President and CEO, Canadian Tourism Commission

The tourism industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges that require creative solutions and a comprehensive global strategy. Join Michele McKenzie, President and CEO of the CTC and her team as they present an update to their marketing strategy.

12:45 - 14:15
SJTCC Marco Polo Room

Keynote Lunch – ‘Inspiring Confidence’
Speaker: Michael Ennamorato, Executive Vice-President, Director of Client Services, TNS Canadian Facts

The tourism industry, like the rest of the economy, has gone through some challenging times over the past twelve months but there are signs that economic activity and consumer confidence is improving. TNS Canadian Facts, one of Canada's largest and most respected marketing and social research organizations will share with delegates the latest research on the Canadian and USA markets. Delegates will receive information on consumer, social and economic trends at a macro level as well as how each impact tourism.