Simcoe County Manufacturer’s Forum

Start your day with a hot breakfast and great conversation. This early morning networking opportunity is a chance to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and exhibitors in a relaxed setting before the sessions begin. Fuel up, make new connections, and set the tone for a productive day ahead.

County of Simcoe Warden Basil Clarke, Town of New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross, and the Premier Sponsor for the 2025 Manufacturers Forum the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) shared welcoming remarks.

This dynamic opening session explored the key forces shaping Ontario’s economic landscape, with a focus on the tools and strategies that helped manufacturers and businesses grow, diversify, and compete globally.

Vincent Caron, Vice President of Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, began with a presentation on Tariffs, Budget 2025, and Tools for Manufacturing Growth, offering insights into the impact of tariffs, the Chamber’s CUSMA advocacy, and forward-looking trends from the latest Business Confidence Survey.

Following the presentation, Vincent was joined by Trade Commissioner Kurt Devries from Global Affairs Canada for a fireside conversation. The discussion focused on how the Trade Commissioner Service supported Ontario businesses in accessing international markets and navigating trade agreements like CUSMA. It further highlighted the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and global market access in driving business growth.

Meet the speakers:

• Vincent Caron, Vice President of Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
• Kurt DeVries, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada

This panel discussion explored how manufacturers responded to global disruptions and strengthened long-term resilience. Drawing on lessons learned from events such as COVID-19, supply chain instability, and geopolitical shifts, the discussion highlighted proactive strategies for risk mitigation. Panelists shared how their organizations adapted operations, evolved strategies, and planned for uncertainty through scenario planning, leadership, and innovation.

Meet the Panelists:

• Bobbi Curran, Vice President of Honda of Canada Manufacturing
• Dennis Darby P.Eng., ICD.D, CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
• Catherine Pearson, Owner & Operator of Quayle’s Brewery
• Moderator: Brendan Sweeney, Managing Director at Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing

Attendees can take a moment to recharge, connect with fellow attendees, and explore exhibitor booths during this dedicated networking break. Whether you’re continuing a conversation or discovering new opportunities, this is your time to engage and build meaningful connections.

This breakout session explored how artificial intelligence transformed manufacturing operations across businesses of all sizes. Focusing on practical applications, the session highlighted how AI enabled smarter decision-making, improved operational efficiency, and drove innovation. Attendees gained insights into when AI was most useful, such as for predictive analytics, process optimization, and strategic planning, and how manufacturers assessed its relevance based on their size, capacity, and goals. The session showcased how companies leveraged AI technologies to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Meet the Presenter:

• Cameron Gray, Sector Manager, Advanced Manufacturing at the Ontario Centre of Innovation

This breakout session was presented as a series of lightning talks featuring three speakers, each delivering a 10-minute presentation on the value and impact of digitalization in modern manufacturing. Attendees gained insights into technologies, highlighting how manufacturers created connected, data-driven environments and advanced their digital maturity to boost productivity and agility.

Meet the Presenters:

• Marianne Edward, Owner, Sheldon Creek Dairy
• Myles Harrison, Company Principal at PRAKTIKAI
• Jayson Myers, CEO at Next Generation Manufacturing (NGen) Canada

This session explored how manufacturers strategically expanded product lines and entered new markets to reduce dependency and seize new opportunities. Panelists shared the benefits of evolving through innovation, customer insight, and bold business development strategies, with the goal of inspiring manufacturers to begin their own growth journey.

Meet the Panelists:

• Scott McNeil-Smith, Vice President, Manufacturing Sector with the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
• Scott Morrison, CEO of Launchpad Co-pack
• Nick Marando, Vice President Operations at Hormann Oro-Medonte Inc.
• Kurt DeVries, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada
• Moderator: Jessica Craig, Senior Relationship Manager at Export Development Canada

This session focused on internal transformation, specifically how organizations adapted to new technologies, processes, and cultures. We explored how leaders guided their teams through change, overcame resistance, and fostered adaptive workplace cultures. The discussion emphasized human-centered strategies and leadership practices, particularly in environments where people and machines worked together.

Meet the Panelists:

•  Justin Moreau, President of Kumi Canada
• Matt Elson, President & Owner of True North Thinking 
• Kim Romans, Founder of Commotion Internal Communications + Change Management
• Moderator: Deborah Joslin, CEO & Founder of the HR Safety Training and Consulting Ltd. & Next Gen Hub Inc.

Following the closing remarks, attendees were invited to spend the remaining 20 minutes networking and visiting exhibitor booths.