For the first time in three years, on Feb. 16, top automotive executives will take to the stage with journalists from Automotive News Canada to address key industry issues.
As before, the Automotive News Canada Congress will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, timed with the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS).
The last in-person Canada Congress took place in February 2020, only a few weeks before COVID-19 forced the shutdown of in-person events, including CIAS in 2021 and 2022. For those years, Canada Congress was held virtually.
The return of the in-person afternoon event features several keynote speakers, including Jeremie Papin, senior vice-president, Nissan Motors; and Eric Lascelles, chief economist, RBC Global Assets. RBC is the lead sponsor of the event.
A buy-sell panel features five industry executives to discuss consolidation, cross-border acquisitions and valuations, among other topics. Panelists include John Chisholm, vice-president of sales, Dealer Solutions Mergers and Acquisitions; Peter Heasty, a partner with accounting firm Baker Tilley; Ted Lancaster, executive vice-president, mergers and acquisitions, 401 Auto Group; Chris Pfaff, CEO, Pfaff Automotive Partners; and Landon Robertson, senior partner, corporate strategy and business development, Templeton Marsh.
An EV readiness panel will address the topic of Canada’s new zero-emission vehicle-sales mandate and how automakers and dealers can navigate that path. Panelists include Don Romano, CEO, Hyundai Canada; Laura Zanchin, dealer principal, Zanchin Automotive Group; Steve Chipman, president, Birchwood Automotive Group; and Steve Milette, president, Nissan Canada.
An omnichannel marketing panel features Linda Frey, vice-president, marketing, Policaro Group; Brent Marshall, CEO, Omni Auto; Kevin O’Rourke, country manager, Canada, Dealers United; and Claudia Sciama, managing director for automotive, consumer goods and telco, Google Canada. Panelists will discuss best practices and key steps in deploying the right omnichannel digital strategy.
Registration for the Automotive News Canada Congress is $199 per person plus HST and includes admission to CIAS. An early registration rate of $99 plus HST is offered through Jan. 27.
For the full agenda and to register, visit our Events, Webinars & Awards section on our homepage