KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Presented by:
2026 MORNING KEYNOTE
Industry Economic Update & Forecast
Pierre Cleroux. BDC Chief Economist
Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012.
Pierre leads a team of experts who analyze economic data to identify business and sector trends impacting Canadian entrepreneurs. A seasoned speaker, he helps business owners understand the risks and opportunities presented by the economic environment.
Mr. Cléroux is also responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to the Bank’s senior management team and supervises all marketing and industry research activities. Over his 25-year career as an economist, he has held several influential positions that had a direct impact on entrepreneurs in Canada and abroad.
2026 AFTERNOON KEYNOTE
Stress Management & Health Enhancement
Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement & Education
Canadian Mental Health Association
Jack Veitch is the Manager of Community Engagement and Education with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. With over eighteen years of experience in the mental health field, Jack has become a respected public speaker and educator, delivering training on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and workplace mental health leadership. He is known for his role as the Mental Health Coach for the Peterborough Petes, where he supports players and staff through the OHL/CMHA Talk Today program—an initiative he helped develop. Jack’s expertise has been sought by organizations across sectors, including the Royal Bank of Canada, Jamieson Wellness Inc., Insurance Bureau of Canada, Black & McDonald, Cameco Fuels Inc., and Sysco Canada to name a few. In recognition of his contributions, Jack was named an “Unsung Hero” by Ptbo Today and also received the 2021 Vince and Lottie Garvey Award for outstanding off-ice contributions to the Petes and the broader community.
KEYNOTE:
Stress Management and Mental Health Enhancement
In this session participants learn about stress – good and bad – and what it means for our functioning. Topics will include discussion on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and positive psychology. The material will delve into an understanding on simple ways participants can practically apply concepts of CBT and positive psychology to their daily life as a way to manage feelings of low mood, stress and anxiety. This will include information on how to access free, province wide CBT programming in Ontario.