The MEARIE Conference | The MEARIE Group

The MEARIE Conference Past MEARIE Conferences

Save-the-Date for The MEARIE Conference

June 14-16, 2023

We are excited to inform you of the next MEARIE Conference! Mark your calendar to join us to connect, learn and engage. With a focus on leadership, risk management and HR solutions, with excellent networking opportunities, this event is not to be missed.

Stay tuned for when The 2023 MEARIE Conference Registration opens.

Sponsor The MEARIE Conference

Sponsorship opportunities are your chance to increase valuable brand impressions with key-decision makers in Ontario's energy sector. Combining multiple learning and educational sessions, you will have access to tremendous possibilities to network and participate in outdoor activities.

Enjoy special perks only available with select sponsorship packages.

Revisit The 2022 MEARIE Conference!

Thank you for helping us make our 35th Anniversary Celebrations at the first MEARIE Conference in two years memorable! Our Members' attendance made this an unforgettable return after a long absence.

Please find 2022 The MEARIE Conference materials and presentations here:

2022 Speaker Presentations

The MEARIE Conference Program Guide

View Our Photo Gallery

Watch for updates on dates for next year's conference, coming soon!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The MEARIE Conference is supported by the generous contributions of business partners, industry members and fellow LDCs.

Thank you for helping us make our 35th Anniversary Celebrations at the first MEARIE Conference in two years possible.

Diamond Sponsor

Lakeside Reception & Dinner
Titanium Sponsor

Golf Tournament
Gold Sponsor

Conference Kick-Off Evening
Gold Sponsor

Conference Keynote Speaker
Gold Sponsor

Conference Keynote Speaker
Gold Sponsor

Fireworks
Ruby Sponsorship

Breakfast
Ruby Sponsor

Breakfast
Ruby Sponsor

Delegate Badge Lanyards
Opal Sponsor

Travelling Lunch
Quartz Sponsor

Branded Mints
Emerald Sponsor

Scotch Tasting
Emerald Sponsor

Conference WiFi
Quartz Sponsor

Entertainment Evening
Pearl Sponsor

On the Water Activity
Pearl Sponsor

Networking Break
Pearl Sponsor

Networking Break
Pearl Sponsor

Delegate Prize Draw 1
Pearl Sponsor

Delegate Prize Draw 2
General Sponsor
General Sponsor
General Sponsor

2022 Program Highlights

The MEARIE Conference is packed into just over two days of plenty of learning networking opportunities and more.

Speakers Program: Plenary & Stream sessions on current insurance risk issues and resilient leadership in today's climate.
Wednesday Opening Reception: Featured excellent conversation to kick-off the conference.
Thursday Annual Golf Tournament: Opportunities to enjoy a sunny afternoon with industry peers and meet up at a hospitality station.
Special Anniversary Celebrations! The MEARIE Group marked an important milestone of 35 years of service to Ontario's energy sector on Thursday evening with live music, fireworks, and stunning views of Lake Rosseau from the JW Marriott's rooftop terrace.

Other opportunities included networking breakfasts, breaks and opportunities to share ideas with industry peers, conference sponsors and speakers over lunch and social activities. Connecting, learning and engaging with others about leadership resiliency is key in our changing world.

Opening Keynote

The Science of Emotional Intelligence

Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry

Leadership & Performance Expert

The Missing Ingredient Behind Building a Highly Engaged Organizational Culture

Why would anyone want to be led by you? This is the single most important question a manager or leader needs to ask themselves if they want to unlock the potential and creativity of their people. The reason your employees get up in the morning and choose to be engaged and productive has nothing to do with a manager’s level of IQ or technical capabilities, it has everything to do with their manager’s level of Emotional Intelligence (EI).

The research is clear that Emotional Intelligence is the single most important driver of an engaged, results-driven, highly effective workforce, especially in environments that are undergoing significant change and disruption. In this interactive keynote, your team will discover:

What the brain does under pressure and specific tools to manage it more effectively
Self-awareness: understanding the impact your leadership style has on your people
Strategies to manage emotions when there is tension and conflict
How to win the hearts and minds of your people by connecting to the emotions that drive their behaviour
Engaging stories from the frontlines of leaders who are stepping up and winning in the most challenging pressure-filled circumstances

Ron Tite

Purpose-Driven Leadership

Marketing Expert

NOW WHAT? Prioritizing Personal & Organizational Growth

Relevant, engaging, and interactive, Ron Tite exceeds expectations every time he takes the stage. Named one of the "Top 10 Creative Canadians" by Marketing Magazine, he's an award-winning advertising writer and creative director.

Ron Tite will discuss how great challenges generate great opportunities and how you can prioritize growth to push through.

Eric Lascelles

Chief Economist at RBC

Global Asset Management (GAM)

Economic & Market Update

Eric is responsible for the RBC GAM's global economic forecast and generating microeconomic research. He is a member of the RBC GAM Investment Strategy Committee, the group responsible global asset mix recommendations.

In his session, Eric will provide an overview for key economic themes spanning market performance, monetary policy and more including comments on both the domestic and global economic outlook.

Plenary & Speaking Sessions

The MEARIE Conference is loaded with great plenary and speaking sessions.

Pre-Conference Workshop with LifeWorks: Resilient Leadership for Uncertain Times.
Carlos Esteves, LifeWorks
Opening Keynote, The Science of Emotional Intelligence
Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry, Leadership & Performance Expert
NOW WHAT? Prioritizing Personal & Organizational Growth
Ron Tite, Marketing Expert
Economic & Market Update
Eric Lascelles, Chief Economist at RBC Global Asset Management
Cutting Through the Myths of Forest Fires in Canada: Preventing loss during "interface" fire events.
Glenn McGillivray, Managing Director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)
The First Line of Defence: Limiting the Liability Through Better Contracts: Issues and challenges in the liability claims arena.
Alan Mark, Partner, Goodmans
Cybersecurity - Closing the Gap Between IT & OT: Insights to helping utilities make the best cybersecurity risk management decisions.
Dave Cullen, OTORIO
Workplace Trends to Watch: Legislation impacts on HR policy & practices.
Anne Gallop, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada
The Strategic Component of Industrial Relations: How HR is taking a predominant role in organizations and strategy.
David Kunsch, The Directors College
Long COVID & Long-Term Disability: COVID impacts on the healthcare landscape and what it means for future costs.
Barb Martinez, Canada Life
Executive Panel, CEO Moment: Leadership for a New Era: A perspective on leadership, culture & Rejuvenation in these challenging times.
Presented by:
- Jenny Alfandary, Westario
- David Fell, Utilities Kingston
- Simon Wu, Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution Inc.
- Moderator: Tim Wilson, Synergy North

If you have questions about The MEARIE Conference or wish to be a speaker or sponsor next year, email conference@mearie.ca.

The MEARIE Conference 2023