Program

(please note that this program will be updated on a regular basis as events, topics and speakers are confirmed) 

Notes for Registered Companions:

• Registered Conference companions are encouraged to take part in all Conference activities, including business sessions, the Business Alliance Centre and all social events. 
• In addition, the Conference has a number of special interest activities presented exclusively for registered companions which are highlighted within this program. 
• Registered Companions are required to sign up in advance for these activities as space is limited.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012

8:30 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

CHBA Registration Desk & Bookstore

12:00 noon - 6:45 p.m.

CHBA Registration Desk

Delegates and their companions attending the CHBA National SAM Awards/Housing Night on Saturday, March 17 and/or the President’s Reception and Dinner/Dance on Sunday, March 18, must exchange their tickets for assigned seating.  Tickets can be exchanged at the Registration Desk, starting at 12:00 noon on Friday, March 16.

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

“Aprés Ski & Joie de Vie” – Welcome Reception

(Mali, Lobby Level)

March marks a special time of year in Mont-Tremblant, as some of the best skiing of the year coincides with traditional Québec ‘rites of spring’, including festivities to mark the maple syrup season.

Our Welcome reception will bring all of these festivities to life in a relaxed, casual evening where you can meet old friends, and make new ones.

(Stand-up buffet)

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012

7:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.                                           

CHBA Registration Desk & Bookstore

7:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

“Leadership in Challenging Times” – Opening Breakfast

General Rick Hillier, Former Chief of the Defence Staff for Canadian Forces

(Mali, Lobby Level)

After becoming Canada's top soldier in February 2005, General Rick Hillier (Retired) fought two battles, each with his trademark passion and urgency.

The first was on the ground in Afghanistan, as Canada's traditional peacekeeping role changed dramatically to a heavy combat mission in the scorching hills of Kandahar.

The second battle was for the hearts and minds of Canadians. The most outspoken Canadian military leader in a generation, he left a renewed military, equipped with new aircraft, vehicles and other equipment, as well as real-life battle experience that has earned the notice of the world.

General Hillier’s views on leadership in challenging times are based on lessons learned from the school of hard knocks. He illustrates leadership lessons through the stories of the men and women who represent our country around the world, supported by their families, and doing the toughest jobs imaginable.

Born in Newfoundland and Labrador, General Rick Hillier joined the Canadian Forces in 1973. While serving, he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. 

In 1998, General Hillier was appointed as the first Canadian Deputy Commanding General of III Corps, US Army in Fort Hood, Texas. In 2000, he took command of NATO's Stabilization Force's (SFOR) Multinational Division (Southwest) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In May 2003, General Hillier was appointed Commander of the Army and subsequently, in October 2003, he was selected as the Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan.

General Hillier assumed duties as the Chief of the Defence Staff in February 2005. He retired from the Canadian Forces in July 2008. His 2009 book, A Soldier First, recounts his role and experiences within the Canadian military.

(Breakfast is served until 8:15 a.m. only)

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break in the Business Alliance Centre

For your convenience, the Business Alliance Centre will be open for relaxed conversation and refreshments.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

The Inaugural Address

(Mali, Lobby Level)

Welcome Incoming CHBA President Ron Olson as he reports on the state of the industry and lays out the CHBA’s priorities for the year ahead.  Ron will be joined by the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, who will outline the federal government’s housing policies.

10:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Companions’ Program

(advance sign-up required at CHBA Registration Desk)

Discover Mont-Tremblant Tour 

The Mont-Tremblant area is a beautiful, historic and exciting region of Québec.  This guided tour will acquaint you with the sights, sounds and ambiance that has made Mont-Tremblant eastern Canada’s premier vacation destination.

The tour begins with an introduction to Mont-Tremblant’s Pedestrian Village, with its wide array of unique restaurants, shops and boutiques.  We’ll then board our tour bus and get to know the region.  Along the way, our guide will introduce you to the history, legends and culture of the area, and reveal some of the region’s best kept secrets.

Our route will take us to the old village of Mont-Tremblant, and then on to St. Jovite, a quaint Québécois village where we will be served lunch at the Old Train Station.  There will be plenty of time and opportunity to browse the area’s unique country stores for regional products, crafts, antiques, and paintings.

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch in the Business Alliance Centre   

For your convenience, the Business Alliance Centre will be open for relaxed conversation and refreshments.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

“Human Business in a Social Media Age"

Mitch Joel

(Mali, Lobby Level) 

When Google wanted to explain online marketing to the top brands in the world, they brought Mitch Joel to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Marketing Magazine dubbed him the "Rock Star of Digital Marketing" and called him, "one of North America's leading digital visionaries."

Companies still struggle to understand online marketing as a new generation of digital opportunities unfolds. Consumers have never been so powerful. Consumers have never been so connected.

Mitch Joel has unique insight into how social media creates relationships that can energize your business.  Simply put, people do business with people they know, like and trust.  And a well-grounded social media strategy, specific to your company’s goals, can build such relationships.

Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image — an award-winning digital marketing and communications agency. In 2008, Joel was named Canada's Most Influential Male in Social Media, one of the top 100 online marketers in the world, and was awarded the highly prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40.

His newspaper business column, “New Business – Six Pixels of Separation”, runs in both The Montreal Gazette and Vancouver Sun, and his monthly column, “Ultraportable”, is featured in enRoute Magazine. His first book, Six Pixels of Separation, named after his successful Blog and Podcast, is a business and marketing best-seller.

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Business Alliance Centre

For your convenience, the Business Alliance Centre will be open for relaxed conversation and refreshments.

4:45 p.m. - 6:45  p.m. 

“Create and Transform” - The 2011 CHBA National SAM Awards

(Mali, Lobby Level)

Get ready to see how CHBA members have created and transformed spectacular homes, right across Canada, at the 2011 CHBA National SAM Awards.  This is the home building industry’s premier annual celebration of new home and renovation achievements and marketing excellence across Canada.

(Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres)

All 2011 SAM Award finalists will be proudly wearing their “SAM FINALIST” ribbons.  Be sure to take the opportunity to congratulate them for their achievement!

6:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Toast the Winners’ Reception

7:30 p.m. - midnight

“Mardi Gras” – Housing Night in Canada

(Mali – Lobby Level)                           

Bourbon Street comes to Mont-Tremblant for the CHBA’s Mardi Gras carnival with Incoming CHBA President Ron Olson.  Get ready for Fat Saturday at the 2012 edition of Housing Night in Canada.  In the exuberant tradition of the ‘Big Easy’, celebrate our industry’s accomplishments with a high energy evening of dining, dancing and fun.

 (Sit-down dinner, entertainment, dancing)

7:15 p.m.

National Past Presidents’ Advisory Council Reception 

-by invitation only

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012

7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

CHBA Registration Desk & Bookstore

7:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

“Lessons from the Dragons’ Den” What Reality Television Can Reach Us About Business” - CHBA National Awards Breakfast  

Sean Wise

(Mali, Lobby Level)

As one of Canada’s foremost business mentors for emerging growth companies, Sean Wise helps business leaders’ dreams become profitable realities. 

A ten-year veteran of the venture capital industry, Wise spent 5 years as Industry Advisor and Online Host to CBC’s Dragons’ Den.  Wise will integrate the latest business theory and cutting edge research with behind the scenes stories from the show, to illustrate valuable lessons applicable to all businesses.  Topics will include:  Blue Ocean Strategy, Creative Destruction and the rise of Wikinomics.

Since 2007, Sean Wise has been teaching at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University in Toronto.  In 2008, he was appointed to the faculty as a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy where he lectures undergrads and MBAs on starting a business, entrepreneurship and innovation.  

Wise is also the author of two books:  Wise Words: Lessons in Entrepreneurship and How to be a Business Superhero.

Following Sean’s presentation, get set for the 2011 CHBA National Awards, celebrating our Association’s inspired voluntary leaders and the accomplishments of local and provincial Home Builders’ Associations.

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break in the Business Alliance Centre

For your convenience, the Business Alliance Centre will be open for relaxed conversation and refreshments.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Companions’ Program

(advance sign-up required at CHBA Registration Desk)

Morning Options:  

• Kitchen Secrets: Behind the Scenes with the Chef of the Fairmont Tremblant. The kitchens of the Fairmont Tremblant Resort have a well-earned reputation for excellence and creativity.  Find out how this culinary magic happens with this personal tour with Chef Daniel Tobien.

• Yoga Class.  There’s no reason to forego your regular yoga class while at the Conference.  A talented local yoga instructor will be ready to lead you through a relaxing and healthy routine right in the hotel.

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

“Economic and Market Transformations” - CHBA’s Annual Economic Session

William Watson

(Mali, Lobby Level)

In the face of ongoing uncertainties about the world – and Canada’s – economy, it is clear that a fundamental transformation is taking place.  This business session with noted economist William Watson will examine the state of the economy, explore prevailing economic issues, and probe what actions by governments, both here and abroad, will be needed to repair national balance sheets, and restore stable economic conditions.

Born and raised in Montreal and educated at McGill University in Montreal and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, William Watson has taught at McGill since 1977. He was Chairman of the Department of Economics from 2005-10.  He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Montreal’s Institute for Research on Public Policy and at the C. D. Howe Institute in Toronto.

William Watson is perhaps best known for his regular columns in the National Post and the Ottawa Citizen, and for his appearances on radio and television.  While on a leave from McGill in 1997-8, he served for 21 months as editorial pages editor of the Ottawa Citizen. His book Globalization and the Meaning of Canadian Life, published by the University of Toronto Press, was runner-up for the Donner Prize for the best book on Canadian public policy of 1998.

 In addition to William Watson, you’ll also hear from CHBA’s economic panel for a strategic look at Canadian housing market conditions, and what this could mean for your business.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch in the Business Alliance Centre

For your convenience, the Business Alliance Centre will be open for relaxed conversation and refreshments.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Companions’ Program

(advance sign-up required at CHBA Registration Desk)

Afternoon Options:

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

• Kitchen Secrets: Behind the Scenes with the Chef of the Fairmont Tremblant.(see morning program description)

• A Walking Tour of Pedestrian Village.  If you were unable to take the Saturday tour, this is a great opportunity to get outside, get some fresh air, and get a personal introduction to the many unique restaurants, shops and boutiques that make up the village while learning the history of the site. 

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Beer Tasting at La Diable Microbrasserie. Quebec is renowned for its varied and distinctive craft beers.  Enjoy some of the finest of these at this quaint micro brewery, just a short walk from the hotel.

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

“Transforming Ourselves to Work Smarter”

Dr. Nick Bontis

(Mali, Lobby Level)

Information bombardment is the single most damaging threat to productivity.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  Why not transform this threat into a sustainable competitive advantage for you and your firm?  

Dr. Nick Bontis is an award-winning professor of strategic management at McMaster University.  He is also a Director of the Institute for Intellectual Capital Research. 

Dr. Bontis is ranked among the Top 30 management gurus world-wide, and has been recognized by the former editor of Harvard Business Review and Fortune Magazine as "a pioneer and one of the world's real experts in intellectual capital."   He is also a 3M National Teaching Fellow, an exclusive honour only bestowed upon the top university professors in the country

Dr. Bontis will explain how business success can be achieved by learning to work smarter – not necessarily harder.  During this enlightening and action-packed presentation, you will learn how to:

• cope with information bombardment

• improve your ability to manage change

• lift productivity and efficiency

• speed up innovation through collaboration

• achieve industry leading competitiveness

• determine what action you can take Monday morning.

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

President’s Reception

6:30 p.m. – midnight

President’s Dinner/Dance

Join CHBA's President for a night of fine dining, great entertainment and dancing. 

(Black-tie optional)