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Interior Symposium (Vernon)
- Date(s):
- October 9, 2025
- Venue:
- Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa
- 888 Sparkling Place
Vernon, BC V1H 2K7
- CPD Hours:
- 5.25
INTERIOR SYMPOSIUM (VERNON)
This year we’re returning to the beautiful Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa for a one-day event designed for HR professionals looking to stay current, connected, and compliant.
Join us as we explore a range of hot topics through sessions aligned with the CPHR Competency Framework. Featuring expert speakers, engaging Q&A and interactive activities, this symposium offers practical and applicable learning that empowers you to stay on top of legal trends, build strategic HR capabilities, or grow your professional network. We hope to see you this fall in Vernon!
This symposium includes:
• Keynote & Super Mini Sessions
• Interactive small group activities / panel discussion
• Approximately 5.25 CPD hours
• Coveted door prizes provided by our sponsors and exhibitors
THANK YOU TO OUR SYMPOSIUM PARTNERS:
Premium Sponsors:
Lunch Sponsor:
Exhibitor:
EVENT DETAILS:
Time: Registration 8:30AM - 9:00AM; Presentations 9:00AM - 4:30PM
(Buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided.)
CPD Hours: 5.25
Venue: Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa, 888 Sparkling Pl, Vernon, BC V1H 2K7 ( venue website)
Accommodation at Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa:
• Nightly rate at $300.00, plus taxes and fees. This group rate is for October 8 only.
• Symposium attendees are responsible for their own travel bookings and payment.
• The group rate is sold out. Please check Sparkling Hill website for other availability.
| REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 |
| Registration Fees: |
Early Bird Rate
(On or before Sep 1st) |
Regular Rate
(After Sep 1st) |
| Student/Retired Member |
$325.00
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$400.00
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| Member |
$375.00
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$450.00
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| Non-Member |
$450.00
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$525.00
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Group Registration Discount:
• 15% discount is available for groups of 5 or more from the same organization.
• Registrations of all group members must be submitted at the same time in order to qualify for the discount.
Fees & Cancellation Policy:
• Fees and/or agenda are subject to change without notice.
• All pricing excludes applicable taxes. HST/GST # 119446714
• A full refund, less a $25 processing fee, will be issued for cancellations submitted at least one week prior to an event or workshop. Attendee substitutions are permitted; however, member/non-member rate differences will apply. Please submit cancellation or substitution requests by e-mail [email protected].
• Please note that this policy does not apply to conferences, exams or no-charge registrations. CPHR exam fees are non-refundable if registration is canceled after the registration deadline. Please note our deferral policy.
| AGENDA | Thursday, October 9, 2025 |
| 8:30 - 9:00AM |
Registration & Networking
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| 9:00 - 9:15AM |
Welcome & Opening Remarks
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9:15 - 9:45AM
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SUPER MINI SESSION
Leading through Clarity
Founder & CEO - SME Strategy
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9:45 - 10:45AM
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KEYNOTE SESSION
Nobody Planned for This: Leading with Trust in the Age of AI
Cameron Stockdale - Founder, Certus Consulting
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Canadian workplaces are adopting technology faster than traditional change management can support. In this keynote, Dr. Cameron Stockdale integrates the latest evidence with frontline leadership and executive insight to show why familiar playbooks fail amid AI, shifting workplace cultures, and pervasive misinformation. The session is rigorously evidence based and cuts through trends and management fads to focus on what works. Participants leave with a clear governance lens and a practical method for leading with trust in volatile conditions, translating disruption into a stronger culture, healthier teams, and resilient, measurable results.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Distinguish evidence-based leadership practices from management fads in AI-driven change using explicit criteria for credibility and relevance.
- Apply a governance lens to make transparent, ethical technology decisions in Canadian workplace contexts.
- Communicate technology risk, value, and uncertainty with disciplined clarity to boards and frontline teams, sustaining trust during change.
- Evaluate change efforts with simple, defensible metrics that link trust, culture, and organizational performance.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Senior executives, board directors, and public sector leaders accountable for strategy and governance will benefit most. Ideal participants include CIOs and CTOs, HR and OHS leaders, chiefs of staff, policy advisors, and non-profit CEOs seeking evidence-based approaches to AI adoption, misinformation management, and trust-building. Consultants, project leaders, and union representatives will gain practical tools.
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| 10:45 - 11:00AM |
Health Break
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11:00 - 12:00PM
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KEYNOTE SESSION
Creating a Culture of Reconciliation
Tanya Laing Gahr - Manager, Community & Indigenous Initiatives, FortisBC
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
This discussion explores how an ecosystems approach to organizational culture can take Reconciliation actions beyond best practices to meaningful change.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understanding the difference between Reconciliation and DEI
- Knowing the work of non-Indigenous people
- Creating custom education for employees
- Developing culturally safe spaces
- Grassroots Reconciliation
TARGET AUDIENCE:
HR professionals, particularly those with a personal or professional connection to Indigenous inclusion.
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| 12:00PM - 1:00PM |
Networking Lunch sponsored by  |
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SUPER MINI SESSION
Navigating the Future: Data-Driven Strategies for the Modern Workforce
Gordon Penner - Employee Benefits Account Executive, HUB International
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Work is changing faster than ever - driven by AI, automation, and new employee expectations. As a senior HR leader, you're in a unique position to turn this change into opportunity by rethinking how you support and engage your workforce.
Join us for an interactive session on building simple, smart, and sustainable health and retirement benefits. We'll look at how technology and AI can help you better understand your employees' needs, personalize their experience, and create benefits programs that are both future-ready and people-first. Discover how to use data and innovation to lead with impact in a rapidly evolving workplace.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Data & AI-Driven Insights - Discover how analytics and AI can help you personalize benefits, improve outcomes, and deliver better experiences for a diverse workforce.
- Evolving Workforce Trends - Stay ahead of shifting workplace dynamics and learn how to align your benefits strategy with what today's talent truly values.
- Sustainable Benefits Strategy - Explore practical ways to keep your health and retirement programs effective and adaptable, even in an unpredictable economy.
- Plan Governance & Compliance - Get up-to-date guidance to ensure your plans stay compliant and well-managed in a changing regulatory environment.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
The target audience for this session includes HR leaders, benefits managers, and organizational decision-makers responsible for employee well-being, retirement planning, and workforce strategy—especially those looking to adapt to evolving workplace trends with data-driven, sustainable, and integrated benefits solutions.
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KEYNOTE SESSION
From Principles to Practice: Establishing AI Governance Models that Work
David Brown, CPHR - Co-Founder + Partner, Ascent Employment Law
Brynna Hambly - Associate, Asscent Employment Law
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces, from hiring to performance management. Without clear governance, businesses face serious risks around bias, privacy, and compliance. In this session, David Brown and Brynna Hambly, lawyers at Ascent Employment Law, will guide HR leaders through the essentials of building AI governance models and policies. Together, they will explore practical frameworks that align AI with organizational values, protect employees, and meet emerging legal obligations. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to map AI use in their organizations, design effective policies, and position HR as a critical voice in shaping responsible and trustworthy AI adoption.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Define AI governance and explain why it is essential for organizations adopting AI tools in HR and beyond.
- Identify key legal and ethical risks associated with AI in the workplace, including privacy, bias, and compliance concerns.
- Map AI use within their organization to understand where governance policies are most needed.
- Apply practical frameworks to develop or refine AI governance policies that align with organizational values and legal obligations.
- Position HR as a strategic leader in guiding responsible AI adoption and building employee trust.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This presentation will be beneficial to all levels.
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| 2:30 - 2:45PM |
Health Break
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2:45 - 4:00PM
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INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
In Search of a Happier Workplace: How Understanding Social Styles can Improve Productivity and Reduce Workplace Stress
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SESSION DETAILS
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Have you ever said "ABC" to someone, they hear "XYZ" and you slap your forehead and say what!? Well you are not the only one. Research shows us that 90% of all communications misses the mark. Why? Simply because we all see things differently, from our own perspective.
SOCIAL STYLE is the world's leading Behavioral Style model. It has been used by thousands of organizations to improve performance and organizational results and leadership skills. Each of the four Styles displays positive and negative characteristics when working with others, and research shows that people of any SOCIAL STYLE can be successful in any profession.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Learn what your own preferred behaviour/communication style is.
- Recognize cues that will help you to recognize others' preferred behaviour/communication styles.
- Improve your overall inter-personal skills and learn to become more versatile. This creates smoother interactions and higher trust.
- Reduce conflict by recognizing differences as style-related rather than personal, leaders can defuse tension and resolve disagreements with less friction.
- Boost team performance. When leaders flex their style, they create an environment where all types can thrive
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Everyone and anyone who wants to improve how they communicate with others.
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| 4:00 - 4:15PM |
Thank you & Closing Remarks
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David believes in the power of work.
Work creates important roles for individuals and enterprises. To the individual, work is often a pillar of personal identity that is connected to the opportunities for exploration and growth that employment can provide. For the enterprise, work is a means to solve challenges in our communities. Work sparks innovation, fosters community engagement, and creates synergistic energy. It is an opportunity to create sustainability. David’s belief in the power of work, and his appreciation that work affects our psychological and emotional health, is reflected in his legal practice. He advises businesses on how they can create workplaces that flourish so they can realize their mission. David also fights for employees to ensure that every individual’s workplace is a strong and positive pillar of personal identity. Known for his approachable humor, plain language communication style, and fondness for wearing rock band t-shirts to the office, David has been a trusted employment advisor in the British Columbia Interior for many years.
Brynna Hambly
Organization: Ascent Employment Law
Brynna is an experienced employment and litigation lawyer who practices from the Okanagan. Brynna cares about her clients and considers their unique circumstances in determining the best legal strategy for them. She is passionate about finding well-tailored, cost-effective solutions for her clients’ legal needs, while maintaining strong relationships with them. Brynna has practiced employment law from the beginning of her legal career. She understands that work is central to many peoples’ lives and workplace issues can be particularly stressful, both for employee and employer clients. As a litigation and employment lawyer, Brynna has worked extensively with employer and employee clients, in a variety of settings. She has successfully formally and informally negotiated countless wrongful dismissal settlements, and other workplace disputes on both sides of the table. Brynna has appeared in the B.C. Provincial Court, and the B.C. Supreme Court. She has also assisted clients in various administrative/ regulatory proceedings before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal, the B.C. Employment Standards Tribunal, and the WorkSafe BC Prohibited Action division.
Ms. Tanya Laing Gahr
Organization: FortisBC
Tanya Laing Gahr is a storyteller, actor, director, writer, and anti-racist advocate whose work is grounded in a deep commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, equity, and systems change. She is the Manager of Community & Indigenous Initiatives at FortisBC, where she leads transformative Reconciliation strategies across the organization, including cultural awareness training, inclusive policy development, and community engagement.
With more than a decade of experience in strategic communications and Indigenous partnership development, Tanya brings a storyteller’s lens to her work. Her work educates and builds empathy for the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples, encouraging those in positions of privilege and power to lean into discomfort and challenge inherited assumptions. Tanya’s recent project, The New Energy, is a documentary series showcasing FortisBC’s collaborations with Indigenous communities, reflecting her dedication to ethical storytelling, knowledge mobilization, and meaningful engagement.
Gordon Penner
Organization: HUB International Insurance Brokers
Gordon Penner brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his client's employee benefits needs. As Sales Leader Employee Benefits at HUB International, he is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and execution of comprehensive benefits programs designed to enhance employee well-being and drive organizational success. Gordon is a seasoned professional who is deeply committed to ensuring that employees have access to competitive and impactful benefits that meet their diverse needs. He possesses a keen understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits, staying abreast of industry trends and best practices to deliver innovative solutions that support both the workplace and the bottom line. Throughout his career, Gordon has demonstrated a proven track record of success in designing and implementing cost-effective benefits strategies that optimize employee satisfaction and retention. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, fostering strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors to drive alignment and achieve organizational goals.
Dr. Cameron Stockdale, founder of Certus Consulting, is an executive leader and scholar in the fields of leadership, innovation, technology law, change and organizational behavior with extensive experience guiding change within organizations. His work focuses on building high performance teams through the application of high quality research. Besides his undergrad education, Dr. Stockdale holds a Doctor of Education degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, a Master of Laws degree in Innovation, Technology & Law from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Arts Leadership for the University of Guelph and Postgraduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University Extension School.
Anthony C. Taylor is the Founder and CEO of SME Strategy Consulting, a strategic planning and leadership development firm he has led since 2011. With more than a decade of experience facilitating strategic planning and execution for organizations across industries, Anthony specializes in aligning leadership teams, cascading priorities, and turning strategy into measurable results. He is also the host of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast and runs the SME Strategy YouTube channel, reaching tens of thousands of leaders worldwide. Anthony is a sought-after speaker and advisor, helping executives and boards sharpen alignment, accelerate execution, and achieve long-term success.
John is an experienced, recognized leadership coach and trainer, building team cohesion and increased performance results by focusing on how we communicate and behave. Using unique participatory workshops and one-on-one coaching, team members learn first about who they are, how they communicate and behave and next to recognize how others communicate and behave. Then using the “platinum rule”, to increase their personal effectiveness, increase their performance results leading to increased sales, reduced conflict, and increased staff retention and business growth for the organization.
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