In recent months, CIRI BC has focused on identifying professional development events that are relevant to our members and not specific to certain industries. We intend our events to be pertinent to companies regardless of their market caps. Programming for each event is designed to include both professional development and networking elements. We value topics that attract new members and maintain the interest of current members.
We are also analyzing different ways to increase membership, including reaching professionals from industries that have remained largely untapped, such as cannabis and biotech. Representatives from mining companies currently comprise a large segment of the BC Chapter membership, which we would like to be more balanced.
The professional development and networking events held so far this year include:
● Mentorship Breakfast with Brent Charleton, CEO of Enwave Corp., who discussed his experience in moving from investor relations to CEO.
● AGM & Social with guest speaker Andrew Grieve, CEO of Zenabis Global Inc.
● Summer Social with a focus on networking to bring CIRI members and non-members together and kick off the new season.
● Let’s Talk ESG event, with a panel of four ESG professionals discussing how best to navigate the growing and evolving ESG landscape.
● The Canadian Trading Landscape: Mechanics and Motivations, featuring Arne Gulstene, TMX Group and Jasmer Rai, IIROC, followed by a Holiday Cheer social.
We look forward to a new and exciting year of events in 2020, beginning in January when Mark Weiner, Chief Insights Officer of Cision and CEO of PRIME Americas, discusses the intricacies of reputation management. Weiner aims to help clients make better data-informed communications and business decisions.
Alberta Chapter Update
This fall the Alberta Chapter hosted two educational events featuring very timely topics, including an economic update and a post-election market impact session.
September 25, 2019 – Alberta's Economy: From a Global Perspective to Your Backyard!
While it’s no secret that Alberta has seen its share of economic hardship, the focus now is turning to what’s ahead, including issues that matter for our economy from global, national and local perspectives.
Todd Hirsch, Vice President and Chief Economist at ATB Financial, presented to almost 60 attendees with an engaging discussion on key issues that will shape the workplace – including implications of artificial intelligence, changing demographics of the workforce and the economics of how our communities are structured.
Todd Hirsch, Vice President and Chief Economist at ATB Financial presents at the September CIRI AB event.
November 21, 2019 – Post-Election Panel – Implications for Canada and Alberta
CIRI Alberta hosted a panel discussion regarding the recent federal election results and cabinet appointments. The panelists were: Hugh McFadyen, Principal at Longview Communications; Scott Wenger, Director of Government Relations at Suncor Energy; and Michael Mazar, Analyst at BMO Capital Markets. Nigel Hannaford, Government Relations Director at Painted Pony Energy Ltd., served as the moderator. The panel discussed how the new minority Liberal cabinet will impact Canada’s investment climate, pipelines and energy regulations, international trade, environment and climate change and regional alienation.
Quebec Chapter Update
The last quarter was a busy one for the Quebec Chapter. We started the season with a great networking cocktail event on a beautiful fall evening on the patio at Zibo! Restaurant-Bar. Nearly two dozen people attended; we even had a few new faces in the crowd.
The Chapter’s most recent event was on Creating Impactful Financial Presentations. The session was hosted by TMX Group and led by Karl Genest, President and Owner, PrezExpert Inc. He taught more than a dozen members and non-members how to develop better and more impactful presentations in less time.
The Chapter Executive met in September and November. We discussed strategy to increase membership and the planning of the Chapter’s 2020 educational sessions and events.