
APEX 2007 WORKSHOPS:
1) Achieving Work-Life Balance

Randall Craig, Founder and President, Pinetree Advisors
They teach you to write a resume, to do an interview, and to research a company, but what happens after you actually get hired? How do you actually achieve work-life balance? How do you know when to leave - or how long to stay? And how do you know if that first job offer is right for you? In this workshop, you will use two frameworks, the Personal Balance Sheet and the Job Quality Checklist, to answer these questions for yourself. Participants will receive a copy of the workshop notes and a Personal Balance Sheet Action Planner.
Randall Craig, consultant, speaker and author of the career planning book "Leaving The Mother Ship", has worked with over 75 businesses as an owner, board member, executive, or consultant. His clients have included international financial institutions, public companies, non-profit associations, government, and a number of entrepreneurial companies.
Randall has been featured extensively in all national broadcast and print media, discussing issues of career planning and work-life balance. His Make It Happen Tipsheet on the Monster.ca web site, is read by over 150,000 people each week. He holds an HBA, CFA, MBA, and a Black Belt in Karate. More information is available at www.LeavingTheMotherShip.com and www.ptadvisors.com.
2) Connecting with the Creative Edge

Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director, Toronto Arts Council
Billie Bridgman, President and CEO, Council for Business and the Arts in Canada
Arts…Culture…The Creative Sector. Big Business.
The Cultural Industries are considered one of the four pillars of Toronto’s economic engine with more than 8.3% of Toronto’s work force engaged in the sector. Find out how business and the arts intersect in this lively, hands-on session.
Billie Bridgman:
Ms Bridgman began her career as a classical musician, performing as a soloist across Canada, the US and Europe. She has worked as a writer/broadcaster, as Artistic Director of COMUS Music Theatre and the Guelph Spring Festival and been on the Faculty of the Banff School of Fine Arts. As a business consultant, Ms Bridgman led major national fundraising campaigns for projects such as the Canada Pavilion at Expo ’86 and the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto, and, as Executive Director of Toronto Artscape she launched Canada’s only artists’ space real estate development company.
Ms Bridgman also worked with the Bank of Montreal’s IT subsidiary Cebra, as Director of Project Management and Director of ISO Quality Systems and operated her own business Treasurebrook Farm and Mill. In July 2005, Ms Bridgman was appointed President and CEO of the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada.
Claire Hopkinson:
Claire Hopkinson was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the Toronto Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council Foundation in 2005. TAC is the arms length funding body of the City of Toronto which adjudicates and disburses over 650 grants to Toronto artists and arts organizations annually. Claire has a background of over 25 years in commissioning, developing and producing new opera and music theatre, for the last fourteen years as Producer with Tapestry New Opera Works. She has extensive experience with forging partnerships with the corporate community. Active on many boards in the community, she has served as Founder and President of Creative Trust: Working Capital for the Arts, North America’s largest “arts sustainability project”, Chair of Opera.ca, Canada’s service organization for opera, and Vice-Chair of the Board of OPERA America. In May of 2001, Ms. Hopkinson won the national M. Joan Chalmers Award for Arts Administration in recognition of her contribution to Tapestry and the arts in Canada. In 2006 she was recognized by Theatre Ontario with the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts.
3) IBM - Personal Accountability

Lori Dalton, Recruiter and Learning Consultant for IBM Canada
You are responsible for the successes in your life and you are also responsible for the not so successes. In this workshop you will learn how your personal ownership & individual accountability will position you to make a positive difference. An excellent opportunity to understand the power of Feedback and the Law of Attraction, this workshop will ensure that you continue to deliver positive business and personal goals results.
The last 4 years I have been the Hiring Manager for IBM Canada - Finance. Finding the best candidates for an IBM Career. Listening to my customers I upgraded the Hiring Process, by Promoting IBM to the right candidates, new screening process, provided the interviewers with education on "How to interview and Retain the Right Candidate" and developed an Onboarding Orientation workshop.
Several years of experience as a professional speaker and Learning Consultant. Advised, coached and instructed hundreds of people in business organizations and government agencies throughout North America, the Caribbean, Brazil and England. Areas of expertise include coaching IBM employees and customers on developing their interpersonal, listening, presentation, communication and team-building skills necessary for success in the business environment.
4) Interviewing, Resume Building and Corporate Culture

Dave Moncur, VP Human Resources, Frito Lay Canada
Dave Moncur, the Vice President of Human Resources at Frito Lay Canada, will lead an energetic and insightful workshop on several topics ranging from interview skills to a look inside corporate culture. As a result of his professional experiences, Mr. Moncur is able to give delegates an opportunity to understand these issues from an insider’s perspective – from the point of view of an interviewer and an employer. Mr. Moncur presents in a lively yet informative manner, as his presentation is surely one that will kick off the conference on a high note.
5) TPH – Me Incorporated

Jamie O’Born, Executive Vice President of Business Development, The Printing House, Inc.
Some of you may be thinking that you will soon be starting your career, perhaps what you didn’t know is that you are already there! As the Chief Executive Officer of ME INCORPORATED, you have the responsibility and fiduciary duty to maximize the ROI for the 86,400 seconds your “Company” operates each day.
Take a journey with presenter, Jamie O’Born, Executive Vice President of The Printing House Ltd. and examine the key attributes and success principles of some of today’s ‘extremely notable’ individuals. Challenge your paradigms around ‘what you need to successful’ and how to maximize your daily return and drive your earning potential.
6) The Negotiating Factory - Verbal Widgets

Tavis McKenzie, CEO and President, Kalendar Productions
Tavis McKenzie, CEO and President of Kalendar Productions, will lead you through an entertaining journey down the pathway of mastering the art of negotiation. Negotiating is one of the most fundamental aspects of business, and Tavis will guide you on how to apply negotiating strategies effectively to gain an advantage. This dynamic workshop will teach you how to develop strong negotiating tactics, which will help to build confidence in both personal and business relationships. See how these same tactics can have an impact on your own mindset!
7) G&K – The Art of Communication

Elisa Leo, Motivational Trainer, G&K
Do I hear Static..?
You said what and meant what?!?
Learn how to say what you mean and mean what you say. Delegates will learn how to master the tricky art of effective workplace communication through an interactive and informative workshop session.
The workshop is based on the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" Pre-work is to read the book before coming to the workshop (optional). Attend the workshop ready to discuss “change” or what happens when your cheese has been moved. You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of "change" and how to cope with it!
8) Networking and Business Etiquette

Chris Jones, GTA Campus Recruitment Manager, Deloitte
This workshop presents an opportunity for students to learn how to survive and thrive during campus recruiting season. In addition, some handy networking, communication, resume and job application tips will be presented that will allow you to stand out from the crowd when applying for opportunities at an organization like Deloitte. This session will be presented in a light hearted and interactive manner.
9) Transition from School to Workplace

Tarisai Muzondo, Amanda Iacovetta, KPMG
Waking up at the crack of dawn to be ready for 8:30 a.m. doesn't change much, but this time instead of you paying to be there, they're paying you!
Going from school to the working world is one of the biggest changes in a student's life. Knowing what to expect and learning the skills needed to be a success in the workplace are critical. This workshop will give you the opportunity to find out how to master those skills and sport them with confidence.
Given that we spend most of waking lives at work, learning how to make that jump into the workforce effortlessly is an invaluable skill, so don't delay, come find out how!
10) Adeodata Czink – Business of Manners

President, Business of Manners
Adeodata Czink, a multi-lingual speaker, is in high demand as a guest lecturer and keynote speaker to Universities in Canada and America. Her company, Business of Manners, provides seminars in international etiquette, formal dining, social graces and customer service. She is a favourite with the media, and a protocol consultant for the film industry.
Adeodata will be presenting her workshop focused on Cocktail Party Etiquette. She will touch on the areas of arrival, party etiquette, business cards, small talk and networking.
11) For the Young, Driven, and Forward-Thinking

Sumaya Kazi, Executive Director and Co-Founder, TheCulturalConnect.com
This workshop is designed for future young professionals and entrepreneurs interested in learning how to leverage their youth to not only get a head in business but to also make a difference in the world. Gone are the days where being young means being undervalued. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to: learn how young professionals and entrepreneurs are redefining their roles in the workplace, learn about interesting and exciting career paths you don't typically hear about from your parents or in school, take notes on how to utilize untraditional methods to connect and network with others, and more importantly learn how to leverage your business sense to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues.
Sumaya Kazi, 24, was recently recognized by BusinessWeek Magazine as one of America's Top 10 Entrepreneurs under 25. She currently serves as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of TheCulturalConnect.com, a media publishing company that publishes five weekly magazines dedicated to young, driven and forward-thinking adults. Additionally, she works full-time as a Marketing Manager for the Global Communications group at Fortune 500 Company Sun Microsystems, the youngest in her division. In her spare time she is a Business mentor for Businesses United in Investing, Lending and Development (BUILD.org), a non-profit social venture that empowers underprivileged high schools with an education in entrepreneurship. Sumaya has received International media recognition in over 50 publications for her young professional, non-profit and entrepreneurial endeavors.
12) Public Relations - The Competitive Edge

Livia Florescu, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of On-Q Communications Inc.
Goodbye advertising…Hello public relations! Companies are quickly taking notice of the great benefits PR has to offer. But why do only some get all the publicity? What is PR and what’s the secret to making it work for you? You need a ‘hook’!
In this dynamic, interactive seminar, you will understand the importance of PR and effective communications. Learn the tips and tricks that will make you stand out from the competition and get you that job you want!
Livia Florescu is the co-founder and co-president of On-Q Communications Inc, an integrated marketing solutions firm, offering new age public relations and marketing. An alumni of the prestigious Schulich School of Business, Livia has had experience in marketing, advertising and public relations with Style magazine, Universal Studios and General Mills, and is now running her own successful company. Livia is a passionate professional public speaker, placing 1st in the 2006 Division B Toastmasters International Speech Contest.
13) The Executive Image

Zayna Mosam, Founder, Zayna Mosam Image Consulting
Make an impact, not just an impression.
A powerful image in the corporate world conveys one’s influence, authority, and innovation. When others see you, they immediately make judgments concerning your level of professionalism and credibility. Your image is therefore crucial to your success and should not be compromised by any self-sabotaging messages you may be emitting through non-verbal communication. Strive to express your personal style while dressing to exude confidence and to be in accordance with the corporate image of your organization
14) Labbatt: Beer Tasting

Labbatt will host an interactive workshop that will give delegates the ability to master the art of beer tasting and food pairing. Understand why certain beers work best with specific foods and learn how to become a connoisseur in creating your own successful matches. Learn how to taste beer like a professional and how to appreciate the differences between four distinct Labbatt brands. Discover your own personal beer style and how to recognize the differences in textures and flavours.