WEC 2026 Conference Programme

WEC members can also access exclusive adjacent events: Board Meeting (Board members -11 May) and dynamic workshops (All members - 14 May).

May 12, 2026

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Bettina Schaller, WEC President
  • Randy Upright, ACSESS President
  • Canadian Indigenous Welcome & Land Recognition by Red Sky Performance
  • Special Guest: The Honourable David Piccini, MPP, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
  • Invited Guest: Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Trends Shaping Workforce Solutions in 2026 and into the Future
9:40 AM - 10:30 AM
The Future of Work Is Here
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors and Sponsors

Tuesday Morning Parallel Sessions

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
World Employment Confederation (WEC) General Assembly
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Right on the Money: What Growth Leaders Need to Win Now
  • Speaker: Colleen Francis, LinkedIn's #1 Sales Influencer, Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Award-winning Sales Strategist, Best Selling Author.
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Legislation Driving Growth: Getting it Right for the World of Work
  • Speaker: Sonia Regenbogen, Employer Counsel / Labour and Employment Law Workplace Human Rights / lus Laboris
  • Speaker: Menno Bart, Head of Policy Advocacy at The Adecco Group

Tuesday Afternoon Parallel Sessions

2:05 PM - 3:00 PM
Thoughts on Economic Policy and its Impact on the Staffing Industry in 2026 and Beyond
  • Speaker: Noah Yosif, Chief Economist, American Staffing Association (ASA)
  • Speaker: Minh Dang, Founder and Editor in Chief, The Canadian Labour and Staffing Journal
  • Speaker: Brendon Bernard, Senior Economist, Indeed.com
2:05 PM - 3:00 PM
Beyond Borders: Using Employer of Record (EOR) to Unlock Growth in Employment Services Worldwide
3:00 PM - 3:25 PM
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors and Sponsors

Tuesday Afternoon Parallel Sessions

3:25 PM - 4:25 PM
Grow with Global Talent: Ethical Labour Corridors as Accelerators of Growth
  • Moderator: Neil Carberry, OBE, Chief Executive, REC
  • Speaker: Mario Nava, Director General, DG EMPL
  • Speaker: Ajit Isaac, Founder & Chair, QUESS
  • Speaker: Elizabeth Warn, Head Labour Mobility Division, International Organization for Migration, UN Migration Agency
  • Speaker: Florian Zahn, Head of Social Policy, The Adecco Group Germany
3:25 PM - 4:25 PM
The Future of Work: Leadership Solutions in a Changing Employment Market
  • Moderator: Jeff Aplin, CEO, Aplin & CEO, CompuStaff
  • Panelist: David King, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half
  • Panelist: Patrick Poulin, President-Managing Director, Randstad Canada
  • Panelist: Wendy Kennah, Chief Operating Officier, Procom

May 13, 2026

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Day 2 Opening Remarks
  • Invited Guest: Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Leadership in Uncertain Times
  • Speaker: Daniel Tisch, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday Morning Parallel Sessions

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Panel Discussion: AI Innovation – Threat or Opportunity for HR Services?
  • Moderator: Bettina Schaller, WEC President
  • Speaker: Mary Seery Kearney, Leader and Specialist in Privacy, AI, Employment, Corporate Governance Law, DPO and legal advisor to the ERF
  • Speaker: Nathaniel Glasser, Member of the Firm, Epstein Becker Green, Ius Laboris
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Zero-Admin! Redefining The Recruiter’s Role
  • Speaker: Marcus Sawyerr, CEO & Full-Stack Builder| Mission Zero Admin
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors and Sponsors
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

Sponsored by: IT360 Financial

IT360 Financial Logo
Keynote: Strategy Is Energy
  • Speaker: Shawn Kanungo, Keynote Speaker | Innovation & AI | Bestselling Author
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch

Wednesday Afternoon Parallel Sessions

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Workforce Staffing Solutions: General Staffing & Professional Services
  • Panelist: Travis O'Rourke, President, Hays Canada
  • Panelist: Michael Leacy, Chief Sales Officer & EVP, Raise
  • Moderator: Craig Rix, Managing Partner, Hicks Morley
  • Panelist: Tao Qiu, Country President, Adecco Group Canada; Country President, Akkodis Canada
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
AI Transformation Begins With Your Mindset
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
World Café: Facilitated Roundtable discussions
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors and Sponsors
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Closing Plenary: Global economic outlook to Grow with Talent
  • Speaker: Mark Pearson, Acting Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).