CRIC CEO Forum 2024

Sponsor the CRIC CEO Forum The CRIC CEO Forum offers your company the opportunity to showcase your brand to the industry’s top decision makers. Contact CRIC CEO at 647-740-9790 or at [email protected].

8:00am – 8:30am: Networking Breakfast

8:30am – 8:45am: Welcome

8:45 am – 10:15am: Top Challenges and Opportunities facing the Insights Industry-CEO Panel and Breakout

In this session, CRIC’s CEO will share highlights of the CRIC Size of the Industry survey and will then moderate of panel of leading CEOs featuring Cynthia Pachovski, CEO Ipsos Canada, Jean-Marc Léger, CEO, Léger and Margaret Brigley, CEO Narrative Research on the top challenges and opportunities for the Insights Industry in Canada.  Following the panel, CEOs in attendance will break into groups to further discuss the challenges and opportunities and how we can work together to support the continued growth of the Canadian Insights Industry.

10:15am – 10:30am: Morning Break

10:30am – 12:00pm: Increasing Cross-Team Collaboration and Enhancing Organizational Alignment

Led by Giselle Kovary, Head of Learning & Development at Optimus SBR

In the age of agile methodologies and remote work, mastering cross-team collaboration is pivotal in driving innovation and ensuring that all parts of a research agency, regardless of its size, are working towards the same objectives. Gone are the days when individuals could operate as isolated islands of productivity. The challenges and opportunities of the modern business world are far too complex for any single group or individual to shoulder alone.

Effective cross-team collaboration dismantles barriers, facilitating a fluid exchange of ideas and information among different departments and individuals. A more collaborative approach not only enhances problem-solving capabilities and creativity but also cultivates an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect. By harnessing diverse skills and viewpoints, research agencies, regardless of their size, can swiftly respond to market shifts, uncover opportunities, and sustain a competitive edge.

Giselle Kovary will lead off this workshop by highlighting the best practices for increasing cross-team collaboration.  She will then facilitate group discussions where participating CEOs will be able to share their ideas on how agencies in our industry can improve performance and optimize innovation through collaboration.

12pm – 1pm: Networking Lunch

1pm – 2pm: The AI Imperative for Insight CEOs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to be a catalyst for unprecedented innovation in our industry.  In fact, a survey of Canadian Insights Executives conducted by Leger for the CRIC earlier this year found that AI Implementation was a top priority amidst revenue concerns, cost management, and economic uncertainty.  In this session, CRIC’s CEO will share key insights from this survey.  Jason Zweig, Manager Partner and Vice President, Canadian Viewpoint and Chair of the CRIC AI Committee will then highlight some of the initiatives of the CRIC AI Committee.  CEOs in attendance will then engage in breakout sessions to discuss and share how our industry must responsibly embrace AI.

2pm – 3pm: Addressing the Threat to Data Quality

The threats to data quality are global in nature and the solutions require a global effort.  That is why the Canadian Research Insights Council is part of the Global Data Quality Initiative (GDQ), working with leading associations around the globe to champion global data quality.  In this session, CRIC CEO will share key GDQ initiatives and Greg Matheson, Co-CEO, Quest Mindshare and Chair of the CRIC Online Research Committee, will highlight how Canada is contributing to the global efforts. The session will end with a breakout session to identify additional opportunities for Canada to contribute to addressing the threats to data quality.

3pm – 3:15pm: Afternoon Networking Break

3:15pm – 4:15pm: Advocacy Priorities

Facilitated by Greg Jodouin, President PACE Public Affairs & Community Engagement and John Tabone, CEO of CRIC.

In this session, Greg Jodouin and John Tabone will provide a brief update on key Government Relation and advocacy topics including an update on the status of the proposed new federal privacy and AI legislation, call blocking/labeling, gig economy legislation and more.  CEOs will then be invited to discuss and share their ideas on additional advocacy priorities from CRIC.

4:15pm – 4:30pm: Concluding comments