Timesaver's guide to CSCS conference

Governance and compliance professionals heading to the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries (CSCS) 14th Annual Corporate Governance Conference at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on August 19 through 22 should prepare themselves for four days of sessions, breakouts and networking events that will enhance their view of the Canadian governance landscape. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is perhaps the most respected hotel for business events in the city, and its two grand ballrooms, 55,000 square feet of meeting space, luxury accommodations and historic architecture provide the perfect place to catch up on the latest in Canadian governance. 

Come early for fun, tours and more

This year, conference attendees will be treated to a full slate of social events – and those arriving early on August 19 can take advantage of golfing and pre-conference tours that showcase the best of the culturally diverse city of Vancouver and the area’s beautiful mountains, beachfront and harbor. Social events include spending a day at the Furry Creek golf course, sharing 18 holes of golf and a barbecue lunch with other governance professionals.If golf isn’t your thing, you can choose from four great tours: a quick city tour with a harbor cruise; a tour of Vancouver’s north shore, including the historic Capilano Suspension Bridge and the majestic Grouse Mountain; a tantalizing food-tasting tour in Gastown; or an exciting whale-watching tour on the Pacific coast.

With average temperatures in August ranging from 10°C to 23°C (56°F to 73°F), the weather will be perfect for all outdoor activities.Early arrivals can also attend the optional full-day ‘Essentials for the corporate secretary’ workshop, which is perfect for anyone new to the profession or those who are interested in a refresher course on governance principles and best practices. This pre-conference workshop has been approved for seven CLE hours by the Law Society of British Columbia, so those who attend get that added benefit.Those making their first trip to a CSCS conference should be sure to arrive in time to attend Sunday’s first-timers’ welcome reception, hosted by CSCS president Lynn Beauregard and the board of directors. The first-timer’s reception is followed by the conference opening reception, sponsored by Phoenix Advisory Partners. This year organizers have added a ‘mystery’ theme to the drinks, dinner and entertainment kicking off the conference, so come prepared for anything!

Top-notch speakers

There’s no mystery when it comes to CSCS always attracting the top names in the world of governance, however, and this year is no exception. In addition to CSCS chairman David Masse, senior legal counsel and assistant corporate secretary of CGI Group, who will give an update on the shareholder democracy movement during the first day of the conference, other leading speakers will include: John Caldwell, former president and CEO of SMTC, who will deliver the opening keynote address, ‘A framework for board oversight of enterprise risk’, on August 20; and David Anderson, president of the Anderson Leadership Group, who will deliver the closing breakfast keynote on ‘The next-generation CEO’ on August 22.

The impressive speakers’ list for the many workshops and sessions includes Maria Capozzi, principal, strategic initiatives and board governance, Office of the Auditor General (Manitoba); Richard Bridge, barrister and solicitor, Lawyer for Charities; Max Carbone, principal, Team Works Management; Alex Todd, founder, Governance Committee.com; Catherine Gordon, president, and Shelley Sunohara, vice president, SimpleLogic; Catherine McCreary, governance coach, Build Better Boards; Lisa French, head of external relations (Americas), International Integrated Reporting Council; Mary O’Malley, vice president, environment and sustainability, Prudential Financial; Joanne Westwood, manager, accountability reporting, Vancity; Shannon Walker, president, WhistleBlower Security; Cathy Rozman, board liaison officer, Hamilton Health Sciences; Mary De Frenchi, vice president, sales and accounts, BoardVantage; Andrew MacDougall, partner, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt; Robert Adamson, executive director, CIBC Centre for Corporate Governance and Risk Management; Grant Borbridge, executive vice president, investments, and chief counsel, Emergo Group; Jill E. Aebker, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, Tim Hortons; and Antonella Deo, head, Subsidiary Governance Office, Royal Bank of Canada.

Many sessions to attend

After the opening keynote on Monday, Jim Brown, consulting partner at Strive! Canada, will address the entire conference on the topic of ‘The board member, the CEO and the corporate secretary’, looking at how to create effective relationships between the board, CEO and staff and discussing the seven principles of governance excellence. On Monday afternoon, choose between concurrent workshops covering the governance of public sector and crown corporate boards, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, the corporate secretary as information officer, and plain language disclosure.Tuesday features a variety of breakout sessions on three different tracks: corporate reporting, issues for the corporate secretary, and critical issues in governance.

Topics include designing whistleblower hotlines, getting the best out of meetings, governance for sustainability, shareholder engagement as a governance tool, an overview of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance measures, and corporate minutes. There will also be separate afternoon roundtables to discuss the most pressing issues facing crown corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and small and large issuers.On Wednesday, the conference ends with concurrent sessions offering strategies for crisis management and an update on issues surrounding directors and officers’ liability.

Social networking

There will be many opportunities to network during the conference, so don’t be shy. Conference-goers will have the opportunity to meet other professionals at the CSCS general meeting breakfast, sponsored by Phoenix Advisory Partners and Canadian Stock Transfer. You can also chat up attendees at an opening day luncheon sponsored by Broadridge, where the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance will again present its CCGG Governance Gavel Awards. Now in its eighth year, the awards recognize excellence in director disclosure and compensation disclosure. New for this year, conference organizers are holding a special exhibit hall opening and networking event, sponsored by Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, encouraging conventioneers to get to know key suppliers. And of course, there are always coffee breaks in between sessions – always a good opportunity to pass the business cards around.

After the conference

Once you’ve replenished your governance knowledge and had a taste of Vancouver’s charm, you might decide to stick around for a little while longer. Mixing business with pleasure is a lot easier with the conference companion program, which allows CSCS delegates to bring a guest to participate in social activities and evening events; simply sign your companion up when you register. This year, CSCS has arranged a post-conference two-day tour of Whistler featuring opportunities to wander the village, take a gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain or just enjoy scenic views of the coastline. What a way to top off a conference!