Retired General Rick Hillier headlines Fall Business Leadership Conference at Algonquin College Pembroke Campus 

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One of Canada’s top military leaders who has spoken about leadership around the world will headline Algonquin College’s Fall Business Leadership conference on Thursday, October 24, at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus.  

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Retired General Rick Hillier has entitled his address, “Lessons Learned from the School of Hard Knocks,” a compilation of stories and perspectives on his 35 years of commanding thousands of troops.  

Since retiring from the Canadian military in 2008, Hillier has written several books, including the bestselling “Leadership Matters.” He has also supported several organizations in guiding their leadership teams and advised governments while keeping a busy schedule presenting at conferences. 

Pembroke Campus Interim Dean Jamie Bramburger is excited about having General Hillier speak at the conference, given the campus’s close relationship with the local military community at Garrison Petawawa.   

“General Hillier is one of the most respected military leaders in Canadian history and given our proximity to one of the nation’s largest operational military bases, it is very fitting to have him present on his expertise in leadership,” Bramburger said. 

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The conference will also feature author, TV, and podcast personality Amber MacArthur, who will share tips for leaders on how to design, grow, learn, and communicate in the age of artificial intelligence. MacArthur’s fireside conversation with the audience will include the latest A.I. trends and focus on leading with values when technology moves quickly in the workplace and broader society. 

In addition to the keynote addresses, conference attendees can choose from several workshops on topics such as mentorship, mindfulness in the workplace, project management, taking teams from good to great, attracting newcomers to your workplace and developing a volunteer strategy at work to support employee engagement. 

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The conference is primarily an in-person professional development opportunity, but a virtual option will also be available to attend the conference. All the presenters will be on campus. 

This is the 10th year for the conference, and Algonquin College’s acting manager of Community and Student Affairs, Jodi Bucholtz, says it has done exactly what it was intended to do.   

“We envisioned a big city conference being available to our local businesses and organizations where they could tap into timely and meaningful professional development at a reasonable cost.  We’ve delivered on that promise by bringing in some of the biggest names in Canada to present on various topics that affect the workplace,” Bucholtz said. 

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Early bird registration rates of $250 plus taxes are in place until September 30. Registration includes two keynote addresses, a choice of attending three workshops, and lunch. The Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce is also hosting an after-conference social. 

Nominations are also open for the business innovation award, which is handed out each year at the conference. The award celebrates a business or organization in Renfrew County that has created a unique approach that has led to better customer service, improved productivity, or an innovative new product line. 

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Local Immigration Partnership-Lanark & Renfrew, The City of Pembroke, Labour Market Group of Lanark & Renfrew, and Algonquin College Community Employment Services are sponsoring the conference. 

More information on the conference can be found on the college website at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/business-conference/ 

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