Ontario agriculture – always in season
November 26 & 27, 2024
Delta Toronto Airport Hotel & Convention Centre, 655 Dixon Road
Here are some highlights of what you can expect at this year’s Ontario Federation of Agriculture annual meeting:
Keynote speaker: Jeremy Miller, President of Sticky Branding, branding expert and bestselling author who will share stories and ideas about what makes a brand stand out and attract customers.
Panels: We are offering two interactive sessions that will bring diverse perspectives to two very important issues facing our sector:
- Turning advocacy into action: how to deliver powerful municipal delegations
- Powering Agriculture: the critical role of energy affordability on the far
Networking opportunities: Our event provides many opportunities to network and connect with fellow OFA members, industry stakeholders and other participants! Be sure to join us for our Welcome reception and exhibitor showcase on November 25, and the Ontario Harvest Celebration on November 26 where we will celebrate Ontario’s finest foods, wines and beer.
Invited government representatives: Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack, Minister of Energy & Electrification Stephen Lecce (confirmed), Senator Rob Black, Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, Ontario New Democratic Party Opposition House Leader John Vanthof
As well as: business updates, Director-at-Large election, presentations on leading issues, resolutions and more
Plan to join us – Register now
Annual general meeting agenda (as of November 20, 2024)
Click here to view our agenda as a PDF where you can download it, print it off and bring it to the event.
| Monday, November 25: | |
| 4:30 – 8:30 PM | Registration (South Lobby) |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Northern Caucus meeting (Windsor Room) |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Southwest Summit (Ottawa Room) |
| 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Welcome reception and exhibitor showcase (Plaza Foyer) |
| Tuesday, November 26: | |
| 7:30 – 5:00 PM | Registration desk open (South Lobby) |
| 6:30 – 8:30 AM | Buffet breakfast (International A) |
| 7:30 am Breakfast speaker: Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner | |
| 8:20 AM | AGM begins (Plaza Ballrooms A, B & C) |
| Opening remarks – Drew Spoelstra, OFA President | |
| 8:30 AM | Opening Speaker: Premier Doug Ford |
| Opening Speaker: Senator Rob Black | |
| 8:50 AM | Approval of the Agenda |
| Approval of the 2023 AGM Minutes | |
| Approval of the Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements, August 31, 2024 | |
| Approval of the auditors 2024-2025 | |
| Appointment of election chairperson & election procedure | |
| 9:10 AM | OFA Year in Review video |
| 9:15 AM | Tabled OFA proposed by-law amendment |
| 10:00 AM | Exhibitor break (Plaza Foyer) |
| 10:30 AM | Resolutions |
| 11:15 AM | Cooperators, Nicole Waldron, Director |
| 11:30 AM | The Economic Impact of Farming in Ontario, Ben Lefort, OFA |
| 11:45 AM | Agricultural Credit Corporation, Jaye Atkins |
| 12:00 – 1:20 PM | Lunch (International A) |
| 12:45 pm Lunch speaker: MPP Ted Hsu, Liberal Critic for: Energy and Natural Resources; Agricultural and Rural Issues | |
| 1:30 PM | Meeting resumes (Plaza Ballrooms A, B & C) |
| Panel: “Turning Advocacy into Action: How to Deliver Powerful Municipal Delegations” | |
| Moderator: Drew Spoelstra, OFA President | |
| Panelists: | |
| Mayor Robin Jones, Westport & Chair of Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) | |
| Mayor Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, Lucan | |
| Regional Councillor Albert Witteveen, Niagara Region | |
| Jenny Leblond, CAO Clerk-Treasurer Township of Chisholm | |
| 2:30 PM | Resolutions |
| 3:20 PM | Canadian Federation of Agriculture report |
| 3:30 PM | Exhibitor Break (Plaza Foyer) |
| 3:45 PM | Keynote Speaker (Plaza Ballrooms A, B & C) |
| Jeremy Miller, Sticky Branding | |
| Keynote address: “Helping businesses grow by developing clear, compelling, and memorable brand strategies that drive customer engagement and growth.” | |
| Sponsored by Greenbelt Foundation | |
| 4:45 PM | OFA Bursary Program winners |
| 5:00 PM | Adjournment |
| 5:10 PM | Silent auction closes |
| 6:30 PM | Evening program begins (International A, B & C) |
| Drew Spoelstra, OFA President | |
| Minister of Agriculture, Food & Agri-Business Hon. Rob Flack | |
| 6:30 PM | Ontario Harvest Celebration |
| Celebrating Ontario’s finest foods, wines and beer | |
| 8:00 PM | Entertainment – Urban Cowboy |
| No experience necessary, join us on the dance floor for a line dancing lesson | |
| Wednesday, November 27: | |
| 6:30 – 8:30 AM | Buffet breakfast (International A) |
| 7:30 am Breakfast speaker: Ontario New Democratic Party Opposition House Leader John Vanthof | |
| 8:30 AM | Meeting resumes (Plaza Ballrooms A, B & C) |
| Opening remarks – Ethan Wallace, OFA Executive Member | |
| 8:40 AM | Ontario’s energy outlook |
| Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy & Electrification | |
| 9:00 AM | Panel: “Powering agriculture: the critical role of energy affordability on the farm” |
| Moderator: Ethan Wallace, OFA Executive Member | |
| Panelists: | |
| Eric Muller, Ontario Director Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) | |
| Jennifer Green, Executive Director, Canadian Biogas Association (CBA) | |
| Jim Redford, VP Energy Services, Enbridge | |
| Chris Crawford, Vice-President, Government Relations, Ontario & Manitoba, Canadian Propane Association (CPA) | |
| Sonny Karunakaran, Vice-President of Strategic Projects and Partnerships, Hydro One | |
| 10:00 AM | Health break (Plaza Foyer) |
| 10:30 AM | Meeting resumes (Plaza Ballrooms A, B & C) |
| Director-at-Large election | |
| 11:30 AM | Closing remarks – Drew Spoelstra, OFA President |
| 12:00 PM | Adjournment |
We appreciate the support of our 2024 OFA annual general meeting sponsors!
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