The word "Conference" conjures up a number of words and phrases:  networking, exchange of views, disseminating ideas, discussion, learning from colleagues, workshops, presentations, roundtable and bull sessions, keynotes and participating in tours...  to name just a few.  Above all, it provides a forum for our presenters and for our attendees to stretch their minds, to reach out and meet peers, to look at probable solutions to some of the challenges that may be forefront in their own buildings.  Bring your business card and the motivation to learn from the experience itself and you are sure to come back with at least one if not several ideas to share with your team!

Our EMC National Advantage Through Excellence Conference is scheduled for May 10^th - 12^th, 2010 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, ON.

The Conference begins with a number of plant tours and we are thrilled to have Nestle Waters in Guelph and Karma Candy in Hamilton, representing the Food and Beverage Sector!  These are both excellent facilities to tour!

There are six streams of activity at this Event and for the first time a Food and Beverage Stream has been offered in the Conference mix.  We are pleased to provide Workshops, Best Practices and a Bear-Pit Panel session - all in all representing a variety of Manufacturers from Industry.  Our Guests have worked hard at providing participants with interesting and informative presentations and look forward to welcoming you to their sessions.

Blommer Chocolate, "Creating a Sustainable Improvement Culture" - Doug Harper, General Manager and Jim Morris, President, Bristlecone Learning
Karma Candy, "Driving Productivity Improvements on a Budget" - Greg Merlihan, General Manager
Gay Lea Foods, "Capacity Through Excellence" - Michael Barrett, COO
Ice River Springs,  "What it Takes to be Competitive in Canada" - Ryan L'Abbe, Operations Manager
Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, "Generation Y - Finding and Keeping Tomorrow's Leaders" - Jocelyn Moyer, Production Supervisor
Lassonde Beverages, "Lassonde Beverage's Sustainability Program Saves $$" - Daniel Marcoux, Plant Manager

Bear-Pit Panel Session - "Building the Case for Food Sector Excellence":
OMAFRA, Hamilton Economic Development's - Food Sector Representative, GFTC (Guelph Food Technology Centre), Karma Candy, Hamilton and The Garlic Box in Hensall. 

Complementing our activities above and the networking opportunities at hand, we are also very happy to be welcoming Robert Lawless, Retired Chairman, President and CEO, McCormick & Company, Incorporated, as one of our Keynote Speakers! (http://www.emccanada.org/documents/emcupdate/ontarioedi/2010/volume15issue05pdf).

**If you interested in participating in this incredible experience and are a Food and Beverage Manufacturer or Grower, please touch base with me directly for a special rate.

Without a doubt, our Workshop Presenters, our Keynotes, our Tour Hosts and all of us at EMC Canada together with all of our Sponsoring Organizations, would be very happy to have you join us on May 10^th, 11^th and 12^th, 2010 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario!  It is our sincere hope that these sessions will provide you with some wonderful ideas and great peer contacts as you undergo your own journeys to be competitive and successful in today's business environment.

To find out more information or to register - please call me at 519-396-6521 or email bmckeachnie@emccanada.org anytime!

Have a wonderful week!

Bren