DARE TO COMPETE CONFERENCE 2023

HIDDEN POTENTIAL: OPENING DOORS TO THE INDIGENOUS WORKFORCE

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VIEW THE INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT ROADMAP

Labour shortages are on every manufacturers’ mind. But opening doors to indigenous talent is more than posting help wanted. How can manufacturers recruit or identify and develop Indigenous talent? Join CME and Jamie Wilson as we unveil practical solutions and actions and CME’s manufacturing plan to engage an Indigenous workforce, which builds on current successes.

What’s more, Jamie will explore the concept of ‘We Are All Treaty People’ and bridge into a discussion about what contemporary hiring, recruitment and engagement best practice look like from a business perspective. This session will also give manufacturers important insights that could help both hire First Nations individuals and work with First Nations Communities to ensure strong working relationships and social awareness.

JAMIE WILSON
Former Deputy Minister & Treaty Commissioner for Manitoba

HERE & NOW: ACCELERATING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ADOPTION

As competition heats up (yet again) – and manufacturers juggle inflation, supply chain, labour and skills shortages and more – technology is rapidly becoming a key part of the solution for manufacturers of every shape and size. From cobots to sensors to automation to IoT and everything industry 4.0 in between, more manufacturers than ever are turning to advance manufacturing technologies to help them compete. But the path forward isn’t linear and there are potential pitfalls along the way. CME national board member and General Manager, Automation Products for ATS Automation, Simon Drexler’s keynote will address everything a prairie manufacturer needs to know on their technology adoption journey.

From SME success stories, to cautionary tales that will help you navigate potential pitfalls, to best practices that can be adopted by manufacturers across the board, Simon will share insights and hard-won knowledge from decades of experience. He’ll provide solutions to barriers that many manufacturers are facing today, from competition for talent, to operator upskilling, to choosing the right integrator for short-term success and long-term profitability.

SIMON DREXLER

P.Eng, MBA – General Manager, APG

CANADA’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Advanced technologies can provide manufacturers with capabilities that will allow them to improve productivity, cut costs, increase the agility of their business, and develop new services for their customers. Canada’s competitive advantage in advanced manufacturing will not be built on technology alone, but also on the ability of companies to identify strategic business opportunities and access the skills required for successful implementation.

JAY MYERS

Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada

INTRODUCTION: MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE

Manufacturing is the engine for growth that will drive Canada’s next 150 years. But while the sector emerged relatively unscathed from the pandemic, there are clouds on the horizon. From protectionism to labour shortages to supply chain to declining investments and increasing regulatory burdens, how can manufacturers weather the storm? Join us for a snapshot into Canada’s economic outlook and business competitiveness.

MATHEW WILSON

Senior Vice President, CME

*Schedule and sessions subject to change.

MAKING ESG WORK FOR MANUFACTURERS

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Environmental, Social, and Governance are the non-financial factors businesses measure when measuring risk or growth opportunities. So – where to start? What do employers need to know, and how can you separate the buzz from the business need? And how do we begin when the starting line is different for everyone, especially for SMEs. This session will:

• Describe the fundamental elements of an ESG strategy
• Discuss the financial business case internally and for other stakeholders
• Provide an assessment roadmap and KPIs to help you get started

SUPPLY CHAIN: FORECASTING THE FUTURE

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Is yet another supply chain ‘butterfly effect’ around the corner? Will a pandemic outbreak in one corner of the world impact product availability in another? When every process is in flux, how do you plan with certainty in an uncertain climate? From Buy America to Re-shoring to Dual sourcing, join us for this session to learn more about emerging best practices and real-world insights. Participants will:

• Discover how to focus on the right supply chain elements and make critical adjustments on the fly
• Learn strategies to reduce the risk of securing material and parts in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Identify supply chain barriers and issues that can lead to unexpected delays and price increases and how to prevent them

PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

As the health and safety climate evolves, emerging trends and new legislative regulations means stronger stewardship requirements for industry. Is mental health the new ergonomics? Can costs be controlled? Are companies that lead the way able to retain and recruit more effectively? Join us to hear more about this emerging trend.

CANADA'S IMMIGRATION ADVANTAGE: PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS

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Canada’s economic immigration programs don’t just help meet labour market needs; they help attract and retain global talent, which is a competitive advantage for Canadian employers.  Newcomers’ skills and expertise create professional development opportunities for Canadians, and help companies tap into new markets. A diverse workforce which includes newcomers can increase competitiveness and drive innovation.

This information session will provide an overview of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada’s economic immigration programs and resources for employers looking to hire and retain foreign workers from within Canada and abroad:

• Find out more about hiring temporary foreign workers and the work permit process.
• Learn about hiring international students and how to retain them after they graduate.
• Connect with resources to help find skilled workers faster.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

At Dimatec, we believe that drilling and crushing through hard rock to access earth’s valuable resources is an exciting and important challenge. We serve our drilling and mining partners to accomplish this with the diamond metal matrix products we manufacture. Our commitment to invest in improving the quality and cost efficiency of delivering our product to a competitive global market has led us to the value of automation with robotics.

Please join us as we share some steps of our journey integrating an advanced PLC system, robotic arm, two furnaces with associated presses in a critical manufacturing cell. Through this journey we will also share how we benefitted from the investment in technology and the LEAN insights we gained on maximizing product flow and environmental sustainability gains that reduced our costs of manufacturing and environmental impact of our work.

On the Panel

AMIN GHANBAR
MSc. P. Eng eligible
Manufacturing Engineer and Programming Supervisor

Amin is passionate about figuring out how machines and technology work and can work better. Never afraid to take a manual home and read it cover to cover in order to learn how to use a program, or solve a problem, Amin cares about helping people work smarter and more efficiently.

ARJUN THAMMAIAH
PhD. P. Eng
Material Scientist and Engineer

Arjun is a deep thinker who takes the time to process all of the metallurgical implications of an opportunity for improvement without compromising material quality or performance. Often reverting to the scientific method or a root cause analysis methodology Arjun is energized by working with others to improve how we make our products and server our customers.

WORKFORCE EVOLUTION AND HOW TO ADAPT

While traditional benefits like health coverage and pension once wooed workers into staying at a company for decades, a new era of challenges and workers has turned this idea on its head. To stay competitive in the hiring market, companies must adapt to modern employment best practices – including brushing up on what workers want and how to respond.

Hear from our panel of experts representing world-class manufacturing, innovation, trades and education, and moderated by an Executive & Professional Recruitment Consultant, as we explore what is needed to keep our industry at the forefront of employee recruitment and retention.

On the Panel

SHYLYTE BLOODWORTH
A/P Program Manager, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing, RRC Polytech

KATHLEEN GARNEY
General Manager, Boeing Winnipeg

PHILLIP VALLELLY
Director of People and Culture, Triple E RV

PROBLEM SOLVING SUPPLY CHAIN (AND MORE!)

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As supply chain challenges remain increasingly unpredictable, it’s more important than ever to have an army of problem solvers on the front lines. Join us and learn how to extend Lean problem solving methodologies beyond the shop floor into procurement, purchasing and other departments most impacted by supply challenges.

LEADING EXHAUSTED TEAMS

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We are living under conditions that require a new set of skills for coping with daily stress and uncertainty. On this shifting landscape there is an opportunity for leaders to shine, teams to build capacity and for individuals to build resilience. Join a conversation that will transform the way you lead your life personally and professionally. It’s a time to build connection, community and strategies for skillful navigation together, because we were never meant to do it alone.

THE TECHNOLOGY CURVE: PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FOR LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS

In high profile sectors, manufacturers are leading the adoption of technology and investment with carbon neutral facilities, zero-emission vehicles, high-quality protein and life-saving pharmaceuticals. But beyond the headlines, a surprising number of manufacturers just down the street have also dipped their toes into technology to streamline supply chains, address labour shortages and enhance productivity. Join us for a moderated panel on advanced manufacturing that dives beyond the headlines. Panelist will discuss:
• Enterprise culture and strategies to encourage staff at all levels to lean into change and technology
• Promoting effective partnerships between small, large firms and educational institutions
• How advanced manufacturing can be applied to small batch and custom production

On the Panel

JAY MYERS
Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada

SIMON DREXLER
P.Eng, MBA – General Manager, APG

MATHEW WILSON
Senior Vice President, CME

Effective March 15, 2022 – Event Facilities and COVID-19

Event Facility – The RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg: Please be advised that in accordance with Manitoba Provincial Health guidelines, face masks and proof of vaccination are not required to enter any event space at the Centre.

Rules and restrictions at public gatherings are determined by Manitoba Public Health officials. As such the Centre reserves the right to change or modify rules and regulations associated with these gatherings.

Updated: March 15, 2022

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Information regarding: Travel to and from Manitoba

Information regarding: COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada – Travel restrictions in Canada – Travel.gc.ca