APRIL 15, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — The Executive Blueprint: Navigating Change and Driving Scalable Growth
***Separate Ticket Required For this Session***
Brought to you by Recruitment Professionals Forum (RPF)
Speaker: Mark Coetzee
A 3-Hour Closed-Door Session for Leaders Ready to Scale
Change isn’t coming. It’s already here. In today’s evolving markets, growth is impossible without change—stagnation is a path to irrelevance. This session with Mark Coetzee is for owners and executives ready to move past comfort zones and turn market volatility into momentum.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM — Pre-Party (Invite Only)
Brought to you by Ascen
For our sponsors and speakers, we’re hosting an exclusive Pre-Party at the Canadian Staffing Summit! This invite-only gathering offers the perfect opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow changemakers in a relaxed, intimate setting. Enjoy engaging conversations, build meaningful relationships, and spark new collaborations before the main event begins. It’s the ideal way to set the stage for the summit and ensure you're networking with the best in the business!
APRIL 16, 2026
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM — Breakfast
Start the day by connecting with fellow attendees over breakfast before the sessions begin.
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM — Opening : Welcome
Tracey Both / Suky Sodhi
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM — Opening Keynote: Future of AI
Brought to you by Recruitment Professionals Forum
Speaker: Bill Boorman
Bill Boorman brings 42 years of experience in and around recruiting, blending hands-on industry practice with deep market analysis. A long-time recruiter and developer of people, he now serves as an analyst with the AIM Group, where his work focuses on emerging hiring technology, market shifts and the changing economics of talent. Bill sits on boards shaping practical applications of AI in recruiting and advises companies on how tech, process and human capability come together. His perspective is grounded in real-world experience and informed by continuous research, giving staffing leaders clear, actionable insight into what’s coming next.
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM — The Opportunity Within the Uncertainty: Navigating the Future of the Canadian Staffing Industry
Speakers: Mark Coetzee, Travis O'Rourke, Craig Brown, Janelle Bieler
Moderator: Suky Sodhi
Now in its fourth year, the Canadian Staffing Industry Summit’s CEO Panel brings back the same trusted leaders who have shaped this conversation since day one. Their continuity offers a rare long-view on the industry’s shifts and challenges. While specific topics will be set closer to the summit, expect a candid, unfiltered conversation on the issues that matter most to staffing leaders today.
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM — Break
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM — The Independent Agency Advantage: Driving High-Margin Growth with AI
Speakers: Bill Boorman, Michael Wolford, Sabashan Ragavan & Kelsey Burt
Independent agencies face a unique challenge: balancing high-touch service with high-volume output. Manual workflows—sourcing, screening, and constant follow-ups—can stall your momentum. You don’t need more AI "hype"; you need a practical roadmap that delivers a return on investment today.
This session is about efficiency and scale. We’ve brought together a panel of industry experts to share the specific strategies high-performing firms are using to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting market.
The 24/7 Recruiter: Use AI to screen and engage candidates instantly, ensuring no lead goes cold.
The Speed Advantage: Leverage your streamlined decision-making to adopt tech and fill roles faster.
Operational Excellence: Automate the repetitive "grunt work" so your team can focus on closing deals.
Elevate your agency. See the tools, the workflows, and the proven models behind the modern, high-profit firm.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM — Coming Soon
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM — Lunch
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM — Code Blue: Reviving Revenue & Cash Flow in the Agency
Speakers: Francis Larson, Brian Kennedy, Hunter Reid
Moderator: Chris Kerschbaumer
When an agency hits a wall, the symptoms always show up in the bank account first. In this 45-minute "Medical Grand Rounds" format, our panel of experts diagnoses the most common financial ailments plaguing the Canadian staffing industry. We’ll skip the lecture and get straight to the "Vitals"—DSO, margins, and funding. Watch as we tackle 3 "Patient Cases" in rapid-fire rounds, build a recovery plan on the fly, and open the floor for "Emergency Consultations" (Q&A) to solve your specific firm's challenges.
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM — Independent Business Panel
Speakers: Dave Sweetman, Sami Boubertakh
, Nik Gandhorkia & Roxanne Seguin
Moderator: Matthew Calvin
Join us for an inspiring panel featuring successful Canadian staffing owners who will share their firsthand journeys of growth and resilience.
This session holds particular weight as we reflect on the high stakes of our previous gathering. Last year, speaker David Sweetman chose our stage to announce his new startup—a bold move made at the exact moment Canada faced looming tariff threats and the uncertainty of a general election. Our speakers will dive into how they maintain that same level of "eye of the storm" focus, discussing:
Strategic Expansion: How to scale your business while navigating volatile economic shifts.
Market Adaptability: Practical ways to pivot when market demands change overnight.
Resilience Under Pressure: Real-world tactics for driving growth when geopolitical and domestic pressures mount.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from those who have turned industry challenges into competitive advantages. Gain the practical insights you need to fortify and grow your own staffing business, regardless of the headlines.
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM — Break
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM — Coming Soon...
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM — Titans of Talent: Scaling Canada to the World
Speakers: Kevin Gill, Londa Burke, Steve McNeil & Peter Zukow
Moderator: Nadia Ciani
Join our premier panel of Canadian staffing heavyweights who have moved beyond local success to dominate the domestic market and expand internationally. This session explores how these leaders masterfully position themselves to challenge the global industry giants while maintaining the agility to pivot on a dime.
Scaling with Speed: Building a world-class infrastructure without losing your entrepreneurial edge.
The Global Leap: Strategies for successfully exporting Canadian-owned brands to international markets.
The Competitive Advantage:How to leverage nimble decision-making to win enterprise contracts and outperform rigid competitors.
Learn how to expand your footprint while keeping the responsive, "boutique soul" that allows you to lead the market.
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM — Celebrating Canadian Trailblazers
The Summit culminates in a high-energy finale: the presentation of the 2026 Canadian Staffing Industry Awards. We celebrate the agencies and leaders—both Large and Small—who have moved past stagnation to deliver real impact in the New Economy.
Integrity-First Judging: To ensure total objectivity, winners are selected by a merit-only committee of industry sponsors and leaders—no staffing agencies are involved in the judging process.
The Launchpad: These awards serve as the official kickoff to our final Celebration and Networking session, where you’ll join Bill Boorman and 200+ leaders to solidify the day’s connections.
Haven’t nominated your team yet? Recognition on a national stage starts with a 5-minute nomination. If you haven't submitted your results for the Industry Leadership or Achievement categories, do so now before the March 15th deadline.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM — Closing Remarks
Suky Sodhi
We wrap up the day by honoring the elite cohort of leaders and agencies defining the future of Canadian staffing. This final address salutes our 2026 award winners and every nominee who had the courage to put their business model to the test. Whether you are taking home a trophy or an actionable new blueprint, this session cements our collective path forward.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM — The Blueprint Social: Connections & Cocktails
Immediately following the awards, we transition into a high-energy hour dedicated to networking, celebration, and community building. While the day is focused on the "how-to," this session is about the who. It is the dedicated time for all 200+ leaders to step away from the blueprints and engage as a community.
Celebrate the Wins: Raise a glass to the newly announced award winners and the collective progress of our industry.
The Power of the Room: This is your opportunity to connect directly with Bill Boorman, Francis Larsen, Mike Wolford, and your peers to discuss the day’s insights in a relaxed, executive environment.
Unifying the Industry: Use this hour to solidify the partnerships that will support your growth throughout 2026 before our VIP guests depart for the private Executive Dinner.
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM — VIP Dinner (VIP Ticket Holders Only)
Brought to you by Wages Corp
Join us for an intimate VIP dinner, featuring engaging conversations with our speakers, industry leaders, and sponsors. This exclusive gathering offers a unique opportunity to network and build lasting relationships in a relaxed setting. With limited seating and a history of having a waiting list, this dinner is not to be missed.
