Speakers

Click here for the full program. Speakers booked to date include:

Peter Mansbridge
Anchor, CBC’s “The National”
Topic: “Key note address”

Peter Mansbridge is one of Canada’s great public speakers. He explores the national mood through key social and political issues, highlighting the accomplishments of Canadians both at home and abroad. Drawing on the world leaders he’s interviewed, Mansbridge also talks about leadership: what it takes and how it can be achieved, whether in politics, academia or business.

Dashan (Mark Rowswell)
Topic: “A Foreigner But Not An Outsider: Insights Into China”

Dashan, a.k.a. Mark Rowswell, has been called “the most famous foreigner in China”, where he has worked as a performer, television host and cultural ambassador for over 20 years. Although relatively unknown in the West, it’s hard to find anyone in China who does not know of Dashan. In 2012, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Dashan as Canada’s Goodwill Ambassador to China. Dashan is active in public speaking, sharing his experiences in learning Chinese, on cross-cultural issues, and on changing culture in China.

John Ibbitson
Ottawa Bureau Chief, The Globe and Mail
Topic: “The Big Shift: Why Canada’s Centre of Power is Moving West”

As Washington bureau chief for The Globe, Ibbitson witnessed the attacks of September 11. As Ottawa political affairs columnist, he wrote on the vicious civil war between Paul Martin and Jean Chretien, the rise of the Conservative Party, and Stephen Harper’s 2006 election victory. And then he returned to the United States, to offer unparalleled coverage of the historic 2008 election, and Barack Obama’s opening months as America’s first black president. Now, he’s back home, just in time for another crucial period in our nation’s history. Ibbitson brings this breadth of experience to explaining his contention that Canadian power is shifting from the Eastern “establishment” to new Canadians and the West.

Dr. Elizabeth Sloan
President, Sloan Trends Inc.
Topic: “Foods and Consumer Trends”

Dr. Sloan is the president of Sloan Trends Inc., a California-based consulting firm specializing in food and nutritional trend-tracking and predictions. Dr. Sloan draws on her extensive background in food science, PR, marketing and journalism to provide insightful commentary on shifting consumer trends in the global food industry.

Dr. James Fry
Chairman, LMC International
Topic: “Global Trends Impacting Agriculture”

Dr. Fry was educated at Oxford University, where he obtained an MA in Mathematics and a Doctorate in Economics. After teaching Economics at Magdalen College, Oxford University, in 1980, Dr Fry jointly founded LMC International, and is the company’s chairman. He continues to devote almost all his time to the company’s research and consultancy activity and he is in overall charge of its work in commodity-based sectors.

Click here for the latest list of speakers and longer bios.