I.E. CANADA PRESENTS
2026 International
Trade Summit
📆 November 17–19, 2026
🗺️ Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
Join Canada's leading trade professionals, policy experts, and industry innovators at the premier annual event for international trade. Connect, collaborate, and shape the future of Canadian trade at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa.
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— WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation
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— ALTERANATE HOTEL
Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa Downtown
350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario
Discounted Room Block Available exclusively to
I.E Canada Summit Group
To secure your hotel reservation at a discounted rate, please visit the Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa Downtown courtesy link:
— ADDITIONAL NEARBY HOTEL OPTIONS (no group preferred rate)
— SCHEDULE
Preliminary Agenda
SESSIONS & SPEAKERS BEING CONFIRMED
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
ARRIVAL DAY
17
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Registration Desk Open
Pick up your badge, materials, and connect with fellow attendees as you arrive.
Lanyards Sponsored by
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Meet & Greet Reception
Open to all registrants. A casual welcome reception to kick off the Summit.
RECEPTION
Sponsored by
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
CONFERENCE DAY 1
18
7:30 - 8:30 AM
Registration & Breakfast
Morning registration and breakfast.
Breakfast Sponsored by
Wi-Fi Sponsored by
8:30 - 8:40 AM
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Warrington Ellacott, Chair – I.E. Canada
8:40 - 9:00 AM
Opening Keynote
Speaker to be announced.
9:00 - 9:30 AM
EDC Economic Outlook: Navigating a More Complex Global Economy
Global markets continue to adapt to a period of heightened uncertainty shaped by geopolitical tensions, evolving trade relationships, inflationary pressures, and changing investment patterns. In this opening session, Ian Tobman, Manager, Country & Sector Intelligence at EDC, will provide a forward-looking assessment of the global and Canadian economic outlook, highlighting the trends expected to influence international trade, supply chains and business competitiveness in the years ahead. Attendees will gain practical insights into emerging risks, market opportunities and the economic forces shaping the operating environment for Canadian importers, exporters and trade professionals.
Speaker:
Ian Tobman, Manager, Country & Sector Intelligence team – Export Development Canada
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Global Trade Outlook / Future of Trade: Canada’s Challenges in a Fragmenting World
Canada’s competitiveness is being tested by trade uncertainty, geopolitical fragmentation, weak productivity growth and intensifying competition for investment, talent and market share. This fireside chat will examine how business and government can strengthen Canada’s commercial position through capital investment and innovation, lower regulatory and internal trade barriers, improved tax and cost competitiveness, modern trade infrastructure and more reliable supply chains.
The discussion will position diversification as a growth strategy—not simply a response to U.S. trade risk. It will explore how businesses can turn Canada’s trade agreements into sales and investment, expand customers and supply partnerships in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and other high-growth regions, and strengthen domestic capabilities for global expansion. The focus will be on execution: matching Canadian strengths to demand, removing infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks, and equipping firms to compete and scale internationally.
Fireside Chat
Moderator:
Warrington Ellacott, Chair, IE Canada
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Trade Compliance: The Strategic Enabler - Fireside Chat with Alex Lawton
Speaker:
Alex Lawton, Executive Director, Commercial and Trade Branch, Canada Border Services Agency
Moderator:
Erol Özberk, Manager Director, Trade Compliance Solutions - Dominion Customs Solutions , Board of Directors, IE Canada
10:30 - 10:45 AM
Coffee Break
NETWORKING
Refreshment Break Sponsored by
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10:45 - 11:30 AM
Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy: From Ambition to Commercial Results
Canada has set an ambitious objective to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade, supported by new and expanded trade agreements, targeted export services and major investments in trade-enabling infrastructure. This panel will assess progress made in 2026, including new market access, emerging commercial partnerships and government initiatives designed to help Canadian companies compete, invest and grow internationally.
The discussion will focus on turning policy into measurable business results: helping firms use Canada’s trade agreements, secure financing and market intelligence, build trusted partnerships and overcome regulatory, logistical and infrastructure barriers. Panelists will identify priority markets and sectors, review lessons from 2026 and outline the actions required in 2027 to accelerate diversification, strengthen competitiveness and convert Canadian capabilities into sustained export growth.
Speakers:
Aaron Fowler, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for International Trade and Chief Trade Negotiator, Global Affairs Canada
Moderator:
Warrington Ellacott, Chair, IE Canada
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Trade Resilience in Practice: Protecting Margin, Cash Flow and Market Access
Trade resilience is built through disciplined operational decisions before disruption occurs. This practical panel will examine how businesses can reduce tariff exposure, preserve working capital and maintain continuity by strengthening procurement practices, validating tariff classification and customs valuation, reviewing contract terms and improving coordination among finance, compliance, logistics teams and customs brokers.
Panelists will share actionable approaches to scenario planning, supplier and route diversification, duty recovery, remission requests, documentation and broker oversight. The discussion will focus on identifying avoidable costs, responding quickly to tariff and regulatory changes, and embedding accountability across the business so firms can protect margins, remain compliant, and adapt with confidence.
Speakers:
Rochelle Anderson, Manager, Customs and Trade Compliance - Plains, Board of Directors, Treasurer and Export Committee Chair, IE Canada
Bruno Biondi, President of GHY eBiz
Michelle Roddy, Trade Compliance and Logistics Lead, FOREMOST, Board of Directors, IE Canada
Moderator:
Karen Heaton, Director, Trade & Customs, ARITZIA; Board of Directors, IE Canada
12:15 - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
Facilitated networking lunch for all delegates.
NETWORKING
Networking Lunch Sponsored by
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Legal & Compliance Outlook Panel
Join a panel of distinguished legal experts as they guide you through the complexities of international trade in 2026. This session will explore the latest developments, including recent regulatory changes, enforcement trends, and major legal challenges affecting global trade. Gain valuable insights into how these updates impact businesses and learn practical strategies for navigating the intricate compliance landscape. Whether you are an experienced professional or new to trade compliance, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge necessary to stay ahead in an evolving legal environment.
Speakers:
Brady Gordon, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Margaret Kim, Counsel, Gowling WLG
Mollie Sitkowski, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Yannick Trudel, Partner, McMillan LLP
Moderator:
Jessica Horwitz, Director/Secretary, IE Canada ; Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
2:15 – 2:45 PM
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Details & speakers to be announced.
2:45 – 3:00 PM
Coffee Break
NETWORKING
Refreshment Break Sponsored by
3:00 – 3:45 PM
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in Trade: From Supply Chain to Trade Network: How AI is Rewiring Compliance, Visibility and Trust
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to operational reality across global trade. While early discussions focused on AI's potential, organizations are now confronting more practical questions around governance, oversight, risk, accountability, and business value.
This panel will explore how AI is reshaping trade compliance, supply chain visibility, risk management, and decision-making. The discussion will move beyond technology demonstrations to examine real-world applications, including supplier validation, origin substantiation, regulatory transparency, workflow automation, and AI-assisted decision support.
Panelists will challenge attendees to consider how governments, regulators, importers, customs brokers, consultants, and technology providers are adapting as AI becomes increasingly embedded within trade and compliance activities. Discussion topics will include trust and provenance, the role of human judgment in automated environments, emerging regulatory expectations, and the skills trade professionals will need to remain effective in an AI-enabled future.
The objective is to provide practical insights that help attendees make better trade and compliance decisions in a world where AI is becoming part of every decision.
Speakers:
Edward Ko, CCLP, CCLMP, Co-founder, Mely.ai Solutions Inc.
Hugo Pakula, CEO, Tru Identity
Jackson Wood, Vice President of Trade Regulations, Descartes Systems Group
Moderator:
Alan Dewar, EVP - GHY International; Board of Directors, Customs Technical Committee Co-Chair - IE Canada
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Central and South America Trade Outlook: Agreements, Markets & Emerging Opportunities
Central and South America are becoming increasingly important to Canada’s trade diversification strategy. Guatemala, Ecuador and Costa Rica together recorded approximately $4.1 billion in bilateral merchandise trade with Canada in 2025. The region offers expanding opportunities in agrifood, infrastructure, clean technology, digital services, ICT, mining, critical minerals, forestry, energy and education. This panel will examine the regional economic outlook and the commercial implications of Canada’s evolving trade architecture, including the signed Canada–Ecuador Free Trade Agreement, the established Canada–Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, renewed negotiations with Mercosur and emerging opportunities in Central America. Panelists will address market access, tariffs, logistics, financing, political and currency risk, and the practical steps Canadian companies need to enter, compete and scale sustainably across these markets.
4:30 – 5:15 PM
Trade Corridors for Growth: Moving Canadian Goods to Global Markets
Canada’s trade diversification ambitions depend on moving goods reliably, competitively and at scale. This panel will examine whether investments in ports, airports, railways, highways, inland terminals, Arctic infrastructure and digital systems are sufficiently coordinated to serve new international markets. It will also consider how the federal Major Projects Office is accelerating nation-building projects and strategies that connect regions, remove bottlenecks and expand trade capacity.
Recent federal commitments include the $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund and the $1 billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund, supporting projects across marine, air, rail, road and digital networks. Priorities include port expansion and marine terminals, airport cargo hubs and runway upgrades, rail capacity and grade separations, highway and bridge improvements, inland logistics links, and northern infrastructure that improves year-round access and supply reliability.
Examples range from Edmonton International Airport’s cargo-hub expansion and upgrades at Halifax Stanfield and regional British Columbia airports to the Port of Montreal expansion at Contrecœur and broader improvements to rail, highway and inland connections. The panel will assess how balanced, multimodal investment can relieve congestion, strengthen east–west, north–south and Arctic corridors, support agricultural, containerized, bulk, cold-chain and time-sensitive cargo, and give Canadian businesses faster, more reliable and lower-cost access to global markets.
Speakers:
Anna Barrera, Senior Director of Industry, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Geoff Turner, Vice President, Government Relations, Canadian Airports Council
Jonathan Thibault, Director, Economics, Data and Research, Railway Association of Canada
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Networking Reception
Evening reception open to all conference delegates.
RECEPTION
Sponsored by
Thursday, November 19, 2026
CONFERENCE DAY 2
19
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast & Morning Networking
Breakfast Sponsored by
Wi-Fi Sponsored by
8:30 – 9:30 AM
U.S. Trade Unpacked: Expert Perspectives on Today's Customs, Trade and Border Issues
The rules of cross-border trade are being rewritten in real time. From tariffs and trade policy shifts to heightened customs enforcement and evolving supply chain risks, organizations are navigating an increasingly complex U.S. trade environment.
Join a distinguished panel of U.S. trade experts for a candid discussion on the developments shaping cross-border business today and the strategic considerations that will define success tomorrow. Drawing on perspectives from customs brokerage, trade law, and border operations, our panelists will share practical insights on emerging risks, regulatory trends, and the implications of U.S. policy decisions for Canadian and international businesses.
This interactive session will move beyond headlines to examine what trade professionals, executives, and decision-makers should be watching closely, where uncertainty may create opportunity, and how organizations can position themselves for resiliency in a rapidly changing North American trade landscape.
Speakers:
Jill M. Hurley, Esq., Senior Director, Global Trade Consulting, United States - Livingston International
Jerrod Nutt, LCB, CCS, District Manager - A.N. Deringer, Inc.
Federico (Kiko) Zuniga, Marketing Director & Founder of National Educational Institute at National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America
Moderator:
Rochelle Anderson, Manager, Customs and Trade Compliance - Plains, Board of Directors, Treasurer and Export Committee Chair, IE Canada
9:30 – 10:15 AM
TO BE ANNOUNCED
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Coffee Break
NETWORKING
Coffee Break with the support of
10:30 – 11:15 AM
TO BE ANNOUNCED
11:15 – 12:00 PM
Defending Canada: National Security, Sovereignty and Secure Supply Chains
The defence and security of Canada depend on the country’s ability to protect its territory, borders, critical infrastructure, strategic industries and access to essential goods and technologies. Geopolitical instability, hostile-state activity, cyberthreats, foreign interference and concentrated foreign dependencies can disrupt military readiness, public safety and national continuity. This panel will examine how defence, intelligence, border and economic-security priorities must work together to safeguard Canada’s sovereignty and strengthen its capacity to anticipate, withstand and respond to threats.
Bringing together defence, national security, intelligence, border, infrastructure and industry perspectives, the discussion will focus on protecting Canada’s ports, airports, railways, highways, land-border crossings, northern infrastructure and digital networks. It will consider their role in domestic resilience, the movement and sustainment of the Canadian Armed Forces, allied operations and the secure flow of strategic cargo. Topics will include defence-industrial capacity, secure access to critical minerals and other strategic inputs, trusted procurement and suppliers, protection of sensitive technologies, cybersecurity, redundancy, surge capacity, screening of foreign involvement, continuity planning, information sharing and co-ordination with allies and the private sector. Supply-chain resilience will be treated as a core element of Canada’s defence posture, ensuring essential civilian and military capabilities remain available during crises, conflict or sustained disruption.
Panel
Moderator:
Warrington Ellacott, Chair, IE Canada
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Navigating the New Horizon: How Impending Amendments to the Canada
Marine Act and Canada Labour Code are Reshaping Canadian Transportation
Canada’s transportation and supply chain sectors are facing significant legislative change. In this keynote session, Maguessa Morel-Laforce, Principal Transportation Consultant, will examine proposed amendments to the Canada Marine Act and potential changes to the Canada Labour Code, and explore their implications for ports, shippers, logistics providers, and trade stakeholders. Attendees will gain practical insights into emerging regulatory and labour developments, their potential impact on supply chain resilience and operational continuity, and strategies to adapt in an evolving transportation landscape.
Keynote:
Maguessa Morel-Laforce - Public Affairs and Government Relations Consultant, PDM Public Affairs Consultants
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Summit Closing Remarks
IE Canada – Board of Directors
12:45 – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Facilitated networking lunch for all delegates.
NETWORKING
Networking Lunch Sponsored by
1:30 - 2:15 PM
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
CARM – Technical Deep Dive - Real-world application
CARM has moved beyond theory and into the daily operational reality of importers, brokers, and trade professionals. This interactive session will explore how organizations are applying CARM in practice, highlighting real-world processes, mass adjustment strategies, operational challenges, and lessons learned since implementation.
Designed as a collaborative workshop, participants will be encouraged to both share and learn from real-world experiences involving complex transactions, compliance risk management, system limitations, and the development of efficient operational workflows.
Attendees will gain insight into emerging best practices, proven approaches for managing adjustments at scale, and practical recommendations for maximizing the value of CARM while minimizing disruption to business operations.
Whether you are managing imports, overseeing trade compliance, or supporting customs operations, this promises to be an engaging and highly practical discussion focused on solving the challenges organizations face today.
The session will conclude with a review of CARM enhancement recommendations submitted by IE Canada on behalf of its membership. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute additional observations and ideas for consideration, helping to shape future advocacy efforts and potential improvements to the CARM program.
Speakers:
Kim Campbell, President – mkmarin trade services inc., Board of Directors – CIFFA Corp. (NACBA), Past Chair – IE Canada, Co-Chair Customs Technical Committee, IE Canada.
Erol Özberk, Managing Director Trade Compliance Solutions - Dominion Customs Solutions, Board of Directors - IE Canada
Moderator:
Alan Dewar, EVP - GHY International, Board of Directors - IE Canada, Co-Chair Customs Technical Committee, IE Canada.
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Coffee Break
NETWORKING
Refreshment Break Sponsored by
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2:30 – 3:15 PM
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
Export Controls & GAC Programs Workshop
Led by Global Affairs Canada, this practical workshop will help exporters navigate Canada’s evolving export-control requirements and GAC programs. The session will cover:
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Export-control requirements and permit considerations
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Sanctions compliance and reporting obligations
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End-use and end-user provisions
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Updates on new GAC platforms and testing
Speaker:
Global Affairs Canada
Moderator:
Rochelle Anderson, Manager, Customs and Trade Compliance - Plains, Board of Directors, Treasurer and Export Committee Chair, IE Canada
3:20 – 4:05 PM
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
Customs Remissions in Practice: From Application to Refund
Customs remissions can provide significant relief from tariff costs, but success requires a well-developed strategy and a clear understanding of the process. This workshop will examine the key elements of successful remission applications, strategies for engaging with government decision-makers, and approaches to addressing competing remission requests.
Participants will also explore the application of horizontal remissions and the practical considerations that arise once a remission is granted, including contractual issues, refund allocation, and negotiations among suppliers, importers, and customers.
Key Takeaways:
• What makes a remission application successful
• Navigating the government review and approval process
• Responding to competing remission requests
• Understanding horizontal remissions
• Managing post-approval obligations and opportunities
• Allocating remission benefits through commercial contracts and negotiations
Speaker:
William Pellerin, Partner, International Trade, McMillan
Moderator:
Karen Heaton, Director, Trade & Customs, ARITZIA; Board of Directors, IE Canada
— THANK YOU
Our Sponsors
We are grateful to the organizations whose support makes the 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit possible.
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— I.E. CANADA PRESENTS
Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2026 IE Canada International Trade Summit offers exceptional visibility among Canada's most influential trade professionals, government officials, and industry leaders.
Sponsorship opportunities are available across a range of investment levels, each designed to maximize your brand's exposure and engagement throughout the Summit.
For sponsorship packages, pricing, and availability, please reach out to