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Schedule

at a glance

JUNE 25

Noon - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY

Noon - 3 p.m.

Old Montreal Food Tour (optional group event)

 

Join us on opening day for a guided tour through Old Montreal. Walk through public squares, landmarks, and eateries, and uncover some of the most enticing bits of history, visual treats, and tasty bites along the way.

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Registration

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Pick up your conference badge, program, boodle box and
other conference materials.

5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

First-timers Reception

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If this is the first time you're attending our conference, you'll enjoy an intimate reception alongside your first-timer peers, DSA Canada staff and board members.

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Welcome Cocktail Reception

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Mingle with colleagues and conference guests while enjoying a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres at our welcome reception.

8 p.m. 

Free Time

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Enjoy the rest of your Sunday night exploring Old Montreal on your own, with friends and conference colleagues, or use your free time to recharge at the hotel.

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JUNE 26

MONDAY

8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Welcome to Montreal

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DSA Canada Board Chair, Colleen Leithman, and President, Peter Maddox, open the conference and set the scene for the next two days of exciting speakers and panels.

9:10 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.

MONAT Global: A Customer Centric Strategy

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MONAT Global executives – Stuart MacMillan, President and Marcia Cota, Senior Vice President, North America – will present an energizing session focused on MONAT’s mission to be customer-centric. They will discuss how MONAT has and continues to excel in customer acquisition and retention.

9:35 a.m. - 10 a.m.

The Science of Sales Excellence

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Maria Rouziou, Assistant Professor of Marketing at HEC Montréal, will lead a discussion on the science of selling based on her academic research and industry collaborations.

10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Keynote Speakers: What It Takes to Become a Leader

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In this exciting keynote session, Geoff Molson and Avi Krispine will discuss the leadership techniques they are utilizing to motivate their teams and will share crucial lessons for creating an environment of success to drive companies forward.

11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Direct Sellers Day 2023

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​Cathy Sampaio-Lepiane, Manager, Communications and Research at DSA Canada, will provide an overview of this year’s Direct Sellers Day, which is taking place on September 20, 2023.

11:30 a.m. - Noon

DSA Canada Annual General Meeting 

Noon - 1 p.m.

Lunch Buffet

1 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Advocacy in Action

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Huw Williams, President of Impact Public Affairs, provides a direct selling focused review of the Canadian political landscape and advocacy opportunities.

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Kyle Larkin, Vice-President of Impact will also discuss government priorities for 2023 and beyond.

1:50 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

DSA Canada Annual Review and Brand Launch

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Peter Maddox, DSA Canada President, will provide an overview of DSA Canada initiatives and successes over the past year, as well as presenting future opportunities for value and influence. He will also be unveiling and discussing DSA Canada's new branding and logo.

2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Discussing Health Canada

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Julie Gorham, of the Canadian Health Food Association, discusses some of the challenges facing companies that are regulated by Health Canada, how DSA Canada plays a crucial role in advocacy on these issues, and what this means for the broader direct selling channel.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Legal Panel: The Latest in Compliance and Legal Affairs

 

Our fantastic panel of legal experts will close out Day 1, with a not-to-be-missed conversation on the important legal and regulatory issues that are impacting direct selling. This panel will cover topics as diverse as Health Canada, Quebec’s language laws and changing customs requirements for importers. An opportunity for questions from attendees will be provided.

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Moderator:  Peter Maddox, President, DSA Canada.

Legal Panelists:

  • Lewis Retik, Partner, Gowling WLG

  • John Bassindale, Partner, Millar Kreklewetz LLP

  • Michael Weinberger, Associate, Siskinds LLP

  • Claudia Desjardins Bélisle, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP

6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Dinner and Entertainment - Bord'elle Boutique Bar and Eatery 

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Enjoy an evening of immersive entertainment at Bord'elle Boutique Bar and Eatery. Mingle with DSA Canada friends and colleagues over great food, music, and enjoy an exclusive aerialist performance.

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JUNE 27

8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

TUESDAY

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

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DSA Canada President, Peter Maddox, recaps Day 1 and looks ahead to an exciting Tuesday.

9:10 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.

Affiliate and Influencer Marketing in a Direct Selling World 2023

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Struggling in 2023? Many direct sales companies continue dealing with post-pandemic shifts in buying habits, travel practices, and perceptions of the opportunity provided my direct selling companies. We will be digging into what Affiliate and Influencer marketing has become in 2023 covering useful data from multiple sources and putting it into a context that direct selling companies can use.

9:35 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Executive Panel: Canadian Leaders and Founders

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PayQuicker, Diamond Sponsor of the 2023 Annual Conference, presents this fascinating discussion with executives who have built their businesses in Canada. Hear our panelists talk about the challenges and amazing opportunities that come with launching a homegrown direct selling company, and what their next steps are.

 

Moderator: Charles Rosenblatt, President, PayQuicker

Panelists:

  • Randall Markus, Founder and CEO, Tocara Inc.

  • Donna Pinsonneault, CEO, She's Got Leggz

  • Jeff Martin, Co-Founder, SoulLife Inc.

10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Break

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11 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Mary Kay Cosmetics: Understanding "What Women Want"

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This qualitative online research study was conducted across seven different countries, focusing on the attractiveness of Mary Kay's business opportunity along with the Direct Selling Industry.  This study will help you better understand a women's side gig engagement journey, and specifically what would increase the consideration of Direct Selling as that side gig for women.

11:20 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Driving Success with Digital 

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Google Canada joins us to share the latest consumer trends and tips on how to show up and stand out leveraging digital.

11:45 a.m. - Noon

Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) Annual General Meeting

Noon - 1 p.m.

Lunch Buffet

1 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.

Connecting with the Modern Workforce

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Do you know what makes the modern employee tick? In this session, Shannon Rheault, Founder and CVO at TAP - The Accountability Partners, Inc., will explore their values, and the keys to creating a vibrant, innovative, and loyal workforce. As they evolve, your teams must evolve with them to attract and retain top talent, ensuring our sales channel remains relevant and trusted. It also helps you build your corporate business in a way that empowers your field distributors!

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Strong internal teams set your field up for success. By attracting and retaining top talent internally, you create a powerhouse of innovation and dedication that ripples throughout your organization.

1:25 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.

Sales Panel: New Ways to Sell

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Right now, there is a buzz around affiliate programs, influencer marketing and other innovative ways to connect with sellers and consumers. Are they a silver bullet to grow sales, an interesting part of a diverse marketing portfolio or a case of style over substance. Our panelists will discuss the truth behind new ways to sell in the direct sales space.

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Moderator: Becky Launder, Co-Founder and CEO, Modern Direct Seller

Panelists:

  • Tracie Kenzora, Regional General Manager, Canada & Europe, USANA Health Sciences

  • Helena Alexandre, VP & General Manager, Arbonne Canada

  • Kevin Raulston, CEO, Global Direct Partners

2:05 p.m. - 2:35 p.m.

Break

2:35 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Technology Panel: Can Technology Solve My Problems?

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What are the latest technology tools to help our businesses move to the next level? Is Artificial Intelligence a way to create long-term economic value? These and many other technology-related questions will be answered by our all-star panel of tech experts. This is a session that will provide important takeaways for the future of your business.

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Moderator: Colt Passey, Direct Selling Consultant

Panelists:

  • Dave Siembieda, President, Thatcher Technology Group

  • Ryan Litwin, Director of Business Development, StreamStyle

  • Gregg Corella, Vice President of Sales, Exigo LLC

  • Mike Christensen, Vice President of Sales, InfoTrax Systems

3:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Mannatech: Direct Selling - The New Exciting Reality

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In this invigorating session, Alfredo Bala, CEO and President at Mannatech, will share his insights on the new exciting reality of direct selling.

3:50 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Conference Closes

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Awards Dinner and Gala

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JUNE 28

7 a.m. - 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY

7 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Breakfast buffet

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