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October 17 – 19, 2024

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

Halifax, NS

Our AGM & Convention brings together chamber of commerce executives and community business leaders to discuss the economic and political issues affecting the prosperity of Canadian business and set our policy agenda for the upcoming year.

Pricing

Tier	Price	Deadline
General Admission	$725.00	September 7 – October 17

Bursary Application

The Canadian Chamber’s bursary may be awarded each year, up to a maximum amount of $2,000 each for up to ten chambers/boards of trade, to cover the costs of registration, accommodation at the conference hotel and round trip airfare or ground transportation. Receipts must be provided to support bursary claims.

Can’t Attend in Person? Send a Proxy in Your Place

If you are unable to attend the 2024 AGM & Convention in person, you can still be represented at the policy debates and at the Annual Meeting.

For the policy debates, please fill out our voting authorization form. The deadline to submit this form is Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

For the Annual Meeting, please fill out our proxy form. The deadline to submit this form is Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. AT.

Accommodations

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront:

Limited rooms are available at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront: 1919 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 3J5

Dates available are: October 17-19, 2024

Room Types (based on first come, first serve):

King Room $220 per night

Standard Doubles Room $220 per night

Last day to book is Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

*NEW* The Barrington Hotel:

Rooms are now available at The Barrington Hotel: 1875 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 3L6 (240 m from the Marriott)

Dates available are: October 14 – 20, 2024

Room Types (based on first come, first serve):

King Room $179 per night

Queen Room $179 per night

2 Double Room $179 per night

King Business Class $189 per night

Queen Business Class $189 per night

Phone: 1-833-357-8157 and reference Chamber of Commerce Overflow

Email: barrington-halifax-reservations@silverbirchhotels.com and reference Chamber of Commerce Overflow

Last day to book is Monday, September 16, 2024.

Agenda at a Glance

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	National Network Lunch: Celebrating Chamber Accreditation Congratulations to the Chambers that have achieved Accreditation, and the Chamber professionals that have earned their Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) designation!
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Health and Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Breakout Sessions for Chamber Staff and Volunteer Board Members Stream A: Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum Inaugural Meeting The inaugural meeting of the Pan-Canadian Chamber Forum marks a significant milestone in the advancement of the Chamber Network across Canada. This forum convenes leaders and decision-makers from chambers of commerce and boards of trade nationwide, both in-person and virtually, to identify crucial issues impacting the development and growth of local chambers and their communities and will encourage collaborative solutions to address these issues. Stream B: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and Strategic Communications Interactive Panel Discussion Join us for an engaging breakout session tailored for chamber staff, where we delve into crucial advocacy and strategic communications issues that impact the future of business success. This panel brings together seasoned corporate and chamber advocacy professionals to share their critical insights, strategies and best practices with chamber staff members. Stream C: Mastering Board Governance Join us for an insightful breakout session tailored for volunteer not-for-profit board members, eager to elevate their governance skills. Led by Megan Wallace, a seasoned expert with experience in board leadership, this session delves into the crucial aspects of effective board governance for not-for-profit organizations.
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Evening Reception & Expo Opening with a Special Tribute to the Hon. Perrin Beatty
7:30 p.m.	Enjoy an Evening in Halifax!

8:00 a.m.	Buffet Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Keynote Address by Jacques Goulet, Executive Chair of Sun Life Canada: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Business Discover the transformative power of creativity with Sun Life! With nearly 160 years of experience, Sun Life continues to redefine the financial sector, showing that creativity knows no bounds. Join Jacques Goulet, Executive Chair and transformational leader at Sun Life, as he shares how creativity can drive sustainable growth and impact in business. Gain actionable insights and strategies to propel your business forward and leverage the power of the Chamber Network.  This will be followed by a fireside chat with the Canadian Chamber’s new President & CEO, Candace Laing.
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Annual General Meeting Consult the notice of the Annual Meeting and the items for discussion Can’t attend? .
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
10:45 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.	Keynote Address by Isabelle Hudon, President & CEO, BDC: The Changing Landscape of Entrepreneurship: Bold Strategies for Canada’s Economic Future Isabelle Hudon, President & CEO of BDC, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, will discuss the changing landscape of entrepreneurship in Canada and how the broader support ecosystem for small business has been evolving. Acknowledging there are still opportunities to do more, Ms. Hudon will argue in favour of bold and targeted efforts to meet the significant economic challenges Canada is facing. At the same time, she will stress the importance of better insights and intelligence about Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs to ensure their success as the engine of the national economy.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Panel Discussion with Chamber Leaders: Addressing the Productivity Conundrum (delivered entirely in French; simultaneous interpretation devices will be provided to all) We will revisit Canada’ productivity conundrum with Chamber Network leaders to identify those critical issues that impact the future of business success in our country and how chambers can support businesses. This panel discussion with Chamber Network executives from across the country will be delivered entirely in French.
12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.	Buffet Lunch Expert Panel Discussion: The U.S. Election and the Bilateral Relationship As one of the most closely watched events globally, the outcome of the U.S. election reverberates across borders, influencing economic policies, trade relations, and market dynamics. Our esteemed panel of experts will analyze and debate how recent shifts in the United States have directly affected Canadian businesses of all sizes and sectors. From trade agreements and regulatory changes to market sentiment and investment patterns, our panelists will provide valuable insights into navigating the evolving U.S.-Canada economic relationship. A key question will be how the U.S. Election outcomes will influence Canadian economic stability and growth prospects. Whether you’re a chamber leader, a staff member or a business owner, this panel offers a unique opportunity to gain strategic perspectives and actionable intelligence on navigating the complex intersection of U.S. politics and Canadian business interests.
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Policy Resolution Debates (session 1 of 3)
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Enjoy Halifax!
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Social Evening Hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce at the Alexander Keith’s Brewery

8:00 a.m.	Buffet Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Policy Resolution Debates (session 2 of 3)
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Chief Economist Panel Discussion: Economic Outlook for Small Business With Small Business Week in Canada beginning the following week, please join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the current and future economic outlook for micro and small businesses in Canada. Our distinguished panel of experts will delve into key economic trends and strategic insights to navigate current challenges and seize opportunities in the evolving Canadian business landscape.
12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.	Buffet Lunch Inclusive Growth Awards Presentation
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Health and Networking Break in Chamber Expo
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	Business Data Lab Interactive Workshop In today’s digital age, harnessing the power of data can be especially transformative for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as local Chambers. This interactive workshop dives into the Business Data Lab’s (BDL) data tools and insights, offering a practical roadmap to leverage BDL data more effectively in your daily operations.
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Closing Ceremonies Handoff to 2025 Host Chamber
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Policy Resolution Debates (session 3 of 3) ONLY IF NECESSARY
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Enjoy Halifax!
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	Social Evening Hosted by the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú at The Cable Wharf

Thank You to Our Excellence Sponsors