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This three-day, two-night conference will empower participants to seek out leadership positions within the association and their own companies, and will provide inspiration for the next steps in their career. Participants will gain insight into industry-wide best practices and make crucial connections that will benefit not only their careers, but their current employers.
The retreat will be business-focused with an emphasis on the sign industry, while maximizing participants’ potential for leadership excellence.
Our thought-provoking guest speakers will inspire and entertain, challenging our participants to level up in their sign careers. Further information on speakers and sessions coming soon!
Speakers
David Shapiro
David Shapiro is a 20+ year sign industry veteran who specializes in Environmental Branding in the Design-Build Environment, and Digital Integrations. David has managed projects for major banks such as TD Bank and Truist Bank; Sports Stadiums, including most recently the Allegiant Field, Las Vegas; As well several major retail destination projects in Times Square. Time square projects include the Fossil, Oakley, and T-Mobile stores.
One of David’s passions is continuing education and research in the sign industry. He has served as a volunteer on the International Sign Association’s Signage Research Foundation, and United States Sign Councils Foundation’s committees. David is a graduate of Towson University, in Baltimore MD and a previous ISA Elite member.
Marc Hallworth
Marc Hallworth has been described as "too poor for how happy he is." Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Marc moved to Toronto in 2009 and has since been part of NXNE, YYComedy, FunnyFest, the Brantford Comedy Festival, “Funniest Clean Comedian on the Lakeshore”, and the Bollywood Monster Mashup, where he opened for Aparna Nancherla. He was the second place winner of the Flat Tire Comedy Competition, a semi-finalist in both the Toronto Comedy Brawl and Prove You're A Comic Competition, has appeared on SiriusXM Radio as part of “Canada Laughs,” and was chosen to host the Ontario Celebration Zone as part of the PanAm Games. His Canadian Comedy Award nominated sketch troupe Vest of Friends are the winners of the Best-of-the-Fest Award at both the Toronto and Montreal SketchFests, and were named one of Bite.ca's “10 Canadian Sketch Troupes You Need To See Right Now.” He is an improv tournament champion at both the TheatreSports Micetro and Toronto Beerprov, and got to be part of The BooProv Halloween Spooktacular with Colin Mocherie. With material that's not out to offend, his few goofy ideas mixed among a ton of personal anecdotes all culminate towards a ton of laughs and some real optimism!
Luca DeMontis
Luca DeMontis is the Program Director of Canadian Blind Hockey and the General Manager of the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. Luca has been part of Canadian Blind Hockey for over 10 years.
Michaud Garneau
Michaud Garneau is a professional facilitator with over a decade of teaching and training experience. He's created and facilitated workshops for Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profits, as well as developed curriculum for elementary, high school and post-secondary institutions.
Michaud (pronounced Me Show) draws on his experience as an award-winning performance artist to create memorable engagement opportunities and recently delivered a TedX talk on why the clown in the leader of the future.
Michaud founded Weird is Nrml (WIN), a modern training and development organization. WIN acknowledges the feels that adults get when we learn (aka the weird and scaries) and builds the capacity required to sit comfortably in that discomfort.
Agenda
Day 1 – Wednesday, June 1
7- 9 p.m. – Opening reception/ meet and greet
Location: C’est What, 67 Front Street East, Toronto
Featuring standup comic – Marc Hallworth
Day 2 – Thursday, June 2
Takes place at SAC office: 18 King Street East, Suite 1400
9 a.m. - David Shapiro
10 a.m. – Coffee break + activity
11 a.m. – Luca DeMontis
Noon – Lunch break
1 p.m. – Michaud Garneau
2:30 p.m. – Coffee break + one-on-one networking activity
3:30 p.m. – OG Panel
7:00 p.m. – Dinner -Hot House - 35 Church St.
Day 3 – Friday, June 3
9:00 a.m. – Shop tour
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
Eligibility
This conference is open to all current members of the Sign Association of Canada who are 40 years and younger.
Travel and accommodations:
Participants will be required to pay for their travel and accommodation expenses. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Omni King Edward Hotel for the Sign Association of Canada. To take advantage of our deal, please reserve our room before April 15, 2022. A link to a reservation portal will be sent out at a later day.
Health and safety considerations:
We take the health and safety of all participants seriously and will be adhering to all government-mandated protocols. Due to the nature of the event, which will include being indoors at close proximity, and with respect to the current policies of the sign shops we will be visiting, we will require that all participants show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Cost:
$195 + HST - SAC members only
Registration
Registration for this conference is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sponsorship
Connect with us to find out how you can partner on this conference and demonstrate your company's leadership in supporting the next generation of Canadian sign industry leaders.
