May 29-30, 2025The Westin Harbour Castle
1 Harbour Square
Toronto, ON, M5J 1A6
A picture is worth a thousand words, but remember that nothing beats a personal experience. Enjoy the virtual tour of the Westin Harbour Castle and make your plans to come and experience one of Toronto's most beautiful hotels!
RESERVATION ALERT: Our room block at the Westin is now officially sold out due to high demand. However, there are still several alternative options available. You may contact the Westin directly (1-888-627-8559) to inquire about remaining availability and current rates or book a room through third-party platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com. Alternatively, you can explore other nearby hotels using these same platforms.
This year, we’re pleased to offer exhibitor opportunities, giving you the chance to showcase your business to key industry stakeholders. Whether you're interested in highlighting your products, services, or innovations, it’s the perfect opportunity to make meaningful connections and drive business growth. However, space is limited so don’t delay booking your space today.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, including what you receive in return for your support, click here.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
8:30-1:00 Board of Directors Meeting
6:00-7:00 Mix & Mingle Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres
7:00-9:00 Dinner
Friday, May 30, 2025
9:00-10:00 Breakfast with the Exhibitors
10:30 Business Session
11:00 Speaker Session Begins
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-4:00 Speaker Session Continues
4:00 Exhibitor Tear Down
5:45 Depart for Cruise Terminal
6:00 Boarding
7:00-9:30 Dinner and Cruising
As part of the event, we’re closing off with a spectacular Sunset Dinner Boat Cruise on Friday evening. Departing from the central waterfront, the cruise will take you around Toronto Harbour and the Island lagoons, providing stunning city views.
With a wealth of exciting attractions and endless things to explore, Toronto offers something for everyone. Why not add a weekend to remember? Catch a Major League Baseball game on Saturday at the Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays vs. the Athletics) or enjoy a memorable night of music with Barry Manilow’s "The Last Toronto Concert" at Scotiabank Arena. Dine at the world-renowned 360 Restaurant atop the CN Tower—an iconic Canadian landmark soaring 553 meters, where you can enjoy exquisite Canadian cuisine, stunning views, and the thrill of the glass floor or EdgeWalk! For more adventure, visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, home to over 20,000 sea creatures and exciting exhibits, including North America's longest underwater tunnel and live dive shows! All of these attractions are just a short walk from the hotel!
Events
Toronto Blue Jays Game: Catch a baseball game at Rogers Centre, home to the Toronto Blue Jays
Manilow: The Last Toronto Concert: Barry Manilow performs at Scotiabank Arena
The hit Broadway musical PETER PAN : This extraordinary show full of excitement and adventure, is being presented at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.
The Lion King live : Experience the magic of Disney's at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.
Toronto FC Major League Soccer team game: Catch all the action live at BMO Field, where the atmosphere is always electrifying.
The Musical Box : The best Genesis tribute act in the world is back touring! See them at the Danforth Music Hall
Attractions
CN Tower: Experience panoramic views of Toronto from this iconic landmark
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada: Explore diverse marine life in one of the world's largest indoor aquariums
Cirque Du Soleil – Ovo: An immersion in the teeming and energetic world of insects with Cirque du Soleil under The Big Top
2-Hour Kensington Market Chinatown Walking Tour : Canada is often described as a “cultural mosaic”—Toronto exemplifies this diversity. Explore the fascinating neighborhoods of Toronto with an expert guide on a 2-hour walking tour.
Nikolas Badminton
Futurist Speaker, Author & Executive Advisor
Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned futurist and has worked with over 450 clients - like NASA, The White House, Disney and more - to help them ignite curiosity and imagination, and embrace futures thinking to drive innovation, profit and growth.
His essential thinking can be seen in his best-selling book ‘Facing Our Futures’ was selected as J.P. Morgan’s “Next Gen Pick”, The Next Big Idea Club's Top-50 Business Books.
Facing Our Futures - looking to 2030 and beyond
The wooden pallet and container industries play a vital role in global logistics and supply chains, and as we look toward 2030 and beyond. We see challenges and opportunities emerging from trends in climate change, shifting regulations, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability pressures that are reshaping the industry. Now we need bold thinking, the mastery of big data, and the application of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, and sensor ecosystems to help us optimize and think beyond our current situation.
In this keynote, Nikolas Badminton will explore emerging technologies, industry foresight, and practical strategies to enhance production, operations, resiliency, and environmental responsibility in the wood pallet and container sector.
Shawn Casemore
Consultant, author, and speaker
AI or Die: The Future of Sales is Automated
Leveraging AI to Drive Revenue, Efficiency and Sales Growth
In this presentation we explore how AI is reshaping sales as we know it, from its influence on buyer decision-making, to its impact on sales productivity, and the role of today’s sales professional.
Chad Hallman Meghan O'Reilly
Chad Hallman, Senior Associate
With over a decade of experience in government and advocacy, Chad brings a wealth of insight to advocacy and executive decision-making. He has served in key advisory roles, including most recently as Director of Policy to the Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement where he led policy development in areas such as consumer protection, internal government operations, cybersecurity, procurement, Data Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence. Prior to this, Chad was a senior aide to the Minister of Health in Alberta and a key advisor to Former Premier Jason Kenney, both in the Premier’s Office and on various initiatives. He has deep ties to both Western Canada and Ontario, having lived in Calgary, Edmonton, and currently residing in Toronto. His experience also includes roles in Former Prime Minister Harper’s Constituency Office, Alberta’s United Conservative Caucus and the Solicitor-General’s Office, and Ontario’s Treasury Board and the Ministry of Transportation.
Meghan O'Reilly, Senior Associate
Meghan is an experienced public affairs professional who specializes in strategic communications and advocacy. With a background in political behaviour research, she has successfully managed advocacy campaigns and navigated complex public policy landscapes across the country. In addition to Meghan’s real world experience she also holds a Master of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining JB+A, she worked in the non-profit sector, where she supported government relations and communications for a national trade association.
Advocacy in a New Era: Opportunities for Industry in Canada’s Evolving Political Landscape
Between a new federal government and an ongoing trade dispute with the U.S., Canada’s political landscape is shifting. For the Canadian wood packaging industry, these shifts bring a mix of challenges and emerging opportunities. This session will break down outcomes from the federal election, and examine the new government’s key priorities. We'll also explore how these developments could impact the sector and discuss actionable ways for industry stakeholders to engage with policymakers. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for advocacy, so they can successfully build relationships with decision-makers and represent their industry’s interests in this evolving political environment.
Kevin Moore
Expert in Digital transformation, Cloud, Artificial intelligence, Programming
Kevin Moore, president and founder of Vooban, has nearly 20 years of experience in technologies. With his expertise in designing digital solutions for various companies around the world, Kevin has worked in complex and rigorous environments that have allowed him to develop his sense of leadership.
Artificial Intelligence: Turning Vision into Reality
Labour shortages, tightening margins, and rising performance demands are pushing manufacturers to rethink the way they operate. In this landscape, artificial intelligence has emerged as a powerful lever — if you know where to begin.
In the Wood Packaging Material industry, where precision, consistency, and efficiency are critical, AI can help automate key steps, enhance quality, reduce waste, and maximize the use of both human and material resources. Through a clear state-of-the-industry overview and real-world manufacturing case studies, this session will help you better understand what AI can do for your operations, discover practical applications already being used in similar facilities, and identify the first steps toward adopting AI—without unnecessary complexity.
A one-hour session to demystify AI and reframe it as a practical, strategic, and profitable tool — even in a highly specialized industry like yours.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Tree
Advance Lumber & Pallet
Trunk
Bissett Fasteners
Canada Fastening Corp
CWP Industrial
H&H Wood Products
Pacific Pallet
Pioneer Pallet
Shur-Fast Fasteners
Weston Forest Products
Branch
Nicholson & Cates
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, including what you receive in return for your support, click here.
To view who is participating so far click here.
To view who is exhibiting so far click here.
