“How do you like your Saskatchewan – rare, pure or seasoned?”

The Honourable Lynda Haverstock, C.M., S.O.M., Ph.D., LL.D, President and CEO, Tourism Saskatchewan

One of Saskatchewan’s most ardent “ambassadors,” Dr. Haverstock offer insights on the challenges of branding and marketing a destination that is colossal in size, wondrously diverse, yet remains one of North America’s best kept secrets.

To read Lynda Haverstock’s biography please click here.

Taking a Flying Leap . . . and Landing in Style

Richard Bartrem, Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations, WestJet Airlines

The turbulent history of the airline business is fraught with financial failure, a combination of intense competition, shifting customer loyalties, variable operating costs and world economic circumstances. So what turns a small, regional airline started less than 15 years ago by some Calgary entrepreneurs into one of the most profitable airlines in the world? It’s because WestJet has been able to achieve its mission of “safe, friendly and affordable air travel” while creating an environment that is “fun, friendly and caring” to work in and experience as a customer. And it's been achieved and sustained with the help of a considerable and successful focus on communications and marketing both internally and externally. Join Richard for a straight-talking, humorous, engaging and above all, thought-provoking, look at a unique Canadian success story, and the role played by good communications in creating that culture.

To read Richard Bartrem's biography please click here.

The Changing Role of the PR Profession ... and Professional

Jon Iwata, Senior VP, Marketing & Communications, IBM

Over the past few years we've seen the media landscape turned upside down. Newspapers and magazines seem to be shutting down everyday. Meanwhile the growth of social media has empowered companies and individuals to essentially become publishers - this is changing the game for us as PR professionals. But is this a threat or an opportunity for the profession? Jon will explore the changing nature of media and ideas for how to change the way we work and the results we deliver.

To read Jon Iwata's biography please click here.

Canada and Canadians in a Changing World

Peter Mansbridge, Anchor, CBC’s The National

A dynamic stage presence, Mansbridge explores the national mood through key social and political issues, highlighting the accomplishments of Canadians, both at home and abroad. His love for this country -- and his determination to acknowledge our contributions in building a better world --shine through in his talks, full of warmth and humour. Tying his talks together is his desire to see Canadians celebrate their heritage: to recognize that a shared national story has shaped us at both an individual and a collective level, and that this story is being written, and re-written, every day, by all Canadians.

To read Peter Mansbridge's biography please click here.

Ethics in Public Relations: What’s In It for Me?

Sarah K. Jones APR, FCPRS, Partner, Kennedy Jones and Sweeney, Inc.

Patricia Parsons APR, FCPRS, Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University

Murray Mandryk, Political Columnist, Regina Leader-Post

Blair Peberdy, APR, Vice President, Toronto Hydro

Join us for a spirited and lively discussion (and debate!) on the merits of an ethical approach to the practice of public relations in the 21st century. Do the old rules still apply? Does anyone really care about ethics anymore? When is it OK to tell a “little” fib?

Panel members will bring expertise in the academic, social media, business and PR worlds to challenge your thinking, advance your understanding -- and challenge your comfort levels! Plan to attend this not-to-be-missed session, chaired by CPRS’s Presiding Officer of Judicial and Ethics, Sarah K. Jones APR, FCPRS.

To read Sarah Jones' bio, please click here. To read Patricia Parsons' bio, please click here. To read Murray Mandryk's bio, please click here. To read Blair Peberdy's bio, please click here.

Global Perspectives and New World Opportunities

Jillian de Beer, Owner, de Beer Marketing & Communications

Globalisation, borderless environments, shifting societal values, new creative business contexts and a shift in economic power in favour of emerging market nations are changing our operating environment. Jillian will explore trends and opportunities for communicators and entrepreneurs in the post-industrial economy.

Today’s marketplace presents growing demand for 360 degree customer-centric approaches to meet increasing customer expectations. The emergence of new business models, conscious consumerism with evolving demands and a desire for authenticity and simplicity have led to inspired entrepreneurship.

Jillian will present new perspectives on relationship management, virtual ecologies, collaboration, co-innovation and meaningful engagement within the rapidly developing landscape of massive change.

In this session you will learn to:

• Build relationships, virtual networks and dynamic ecologies in the new world environment
• Add value to business in today's creative economy
• Communicate beyond engagement to achieving active participation

To read Jillian de Beer's bio, please click here.

College of Fellows Keynote

Bert Crowfoot is founder and CEO of the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA). Mr. Crowfoot established Alberta’s first Aboriginal radio station; CFWE-FM, and participated in the transformation of communications for Aboriginal people beginning in the late 1970s. In 2005, he was named one of Alberta Venture’s “100 Entrepreneurs who built Alberta”, and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tribal Chief’s Institute.

In 2006, Mr. Crowfoot became an inductee of the Dreamspeakers Festival Society’s Walk of Honour, Communications and Multi-media Category. The Walkof Honour was created as a tribute to Aboriginal artists who have blazed trails in the film industry, and to recognize efforts at bringing a new understanding to the varied cultures, traditions, languages and artistic expressions of Aboriginal People in Canada.

Mr. Crowfoot has also published numerous literary projects such as Windspeaker (est. 1983); Alberta Sweetgrass (est. 1993); Saskatchewan Sage (est. 1996); BC Raven’s Eye (est. 1997), Ontario Birchbark (est. 2001), and Business Quarterly (est. Nov/2005).

To read Bert Crowfoot's bio, please click here.

Communications in a Policing Environment: It’s Complicated

Sheila Bird, Executive Director Public Affairs, RCMP

Trust is the lifeblood of policing. Yet events of the past few years -- such as the death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver airport -- have had an effect on the public’s trust in the RCMP. Executive Director of Public Affairs Sheila Bird will discuss the RCMP’s efforts to move from what some have called “the silent force” to a more open and accountable organization. And, as a newcomer to the national police force, Sheila will examine why what would be standard responses to a public relations problem aren’t as easily applied in a policing environment.

To read Sheila Bird's bio, please click here.