2024 CSCB National Conference
Conference registration is now closed.
We are heading west!
Join us from September 22-24, 2024 at The Westin Calgary for this year’s CSCB National Conference!
You can expect an interesting, informative, and fun conference program aligned with this year’s theme of Move Forward: Building a better future for Canada’s customs brokers.
Will we talk about CARM? Of course we will, but you can also expect a broad range of other sessions on topics ranging from customs broker liability, compliance with OGD/PGA requirements, broker professional development, and more.
It's going to be amazing! If you don't believe us, listen to our keynote speaker, Graham Sherman!
Keep watching this space for more information as our program develops.
We look forward to seeing you in Calgary this fall!
Conference Program
Move Forward: Building a better future for Canada’s customs brokers
Dates: Sunday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Location: The Westin Calgary Downtown, 320 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Sunday, September 22 | |
14:00 – 19:00 Central Foyer | Conference Registration Opens |
17:00 – 19:00 Rideau/Mount Royal/Lakeview | Welcome Reception Help us kick off the conference in style! Connect with old and new friends as we officially launch this year’s conference with a special Calgary welcome tradition! |
Monday, September 23 | |
| 07:30 – 9:00 Central Foyer | Conference Registration (continued) |
| 07:45 – 08:45 Mayfair/End Rooms | Breakfast for Conference Delegates and Registered Companions |
| 08:45 – 09:00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Conference Opening |
09:00 – 10:00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Opening Keynote: Graham Sherman, Tool Shed Brewing Company |
| 10:00 – 10:15 Grand Foyer | Networking Break |
| 10:15 – 10:45 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | The View from Here: Perspectives on International Trade & Canadian Supply Chains Speaker: Maninder Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton East, and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) |
| 10:45 – 11:30 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | The Ever-expanding World of Sanctions: What do Brokers Need to Know? The Government of Canada is in the midst of implementing new amendments targeting sanctions evasion under the Proceeds of Crime, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act, some of which directly target importers and exporters. This presentation will provide a high-level overview of Canada's sanctions regime, discuss the recent amendments to the PCMLTFA, and detail what customs brokers need to know about Canada's new mandatory sanctions evasion declaration process for importers, exporters and persons financing import/export transactions. Speaker: Julia Webster, Partner, Baker McKenzie Moderator: Candace Sider, CSCB Board Member |
| 11 :30 – 12 :00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Speakers: Janine Harker, CSCB and Deborah Osborne, CSCB Chair |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch |
Break-out SessionsSelect two of the three concurrent sessions | |
13 :30 – 14 :15 | |
| 13 :30 – 14 :15 Nakiska | Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is responsible for fostering the development of international law, international trade and commerce. Our division offers support and services on trade controls to various stakeholders, from custom brokers and Canadian businesses to GAC quota managers and decision makers. In this presentation, participants will gain a sense of:
Speakers: Gilles Russell and Kiani Duquette, Trade Controls Division, Global Affairs Canada Moderator: Lucas Bauer, CSCB Board Member |
| 13 :30 – 14 :15 Bow Valley | Join CSCB Board Chair Deborah Osborne and Melanie Bedard, CSCB’s lead representative on CARM, for an update on CARM implementation. As we head closer to the planned October 21, 2024, implementation date, we hope to be able to provide concrete details about what the cutover and transition period will look like, as well as updates on other CARM issues of concern for brokers. Speakers: Deborah Osborne, CSCB Chair and Melanie Bedard, CSCB |
| 13 :30 – 14 :15 Eau Claire | Join us for an informative session with a panel of financial security specialists who will provide their perspectives on recent changes in the surety industry that could impact customs brokers. This session offers a moderated opening discussion followed by an open Q&A for customs brokers to ask the panel questions about the impact of CARM, coverage requirements, or related issues. Speakers: Keith Sherwood, NFP; Jim Zuhlke, Avalon; Pina Mazzoli, RAISE; Olga Iankine, Intact; Colleen Clarke, Roanoke Moderator: Jason Delisle, CSCB Board Member |
14 :15 – 15:00 | |
| 14 :15 – 15:00 Nakiska | An Inside Look at Global Affairs Canada's Trade and Export Controls Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is responsible for fostering the development of international law, international trade and commerce. Our division offers support and services on trade controls to various stakeholders, from custom brokers and Canadian businesses to GAC quota managers and decision makers. In this presentation, participants will gain a sense of:
Speakers: Gilles Russell and Kiani Duquette, Trade Controls Division, Global Affairs Canada Moderator: Lucas Bauer, CSCB Board Member |
| 14 :15 – 15:00 Bow Valley | CARM: Sharing What We Know Join CSCB Board Chair Deborah Osborne and Melanie Bedard, CSCB’s lead representative on CARM, for an update on CARM implementation. As we head closer to the planned October 21, 2024, implementation date, we hope to be able to provide concrete details about what the cutover and transition period will look like, as well as updates on other CARM issues of concern for brokers. Speakers: Deborah Osborne, CSCB Chair and Melanie Bedard, CSCB |
| 14 :15 – 15:00 Eau Claire | Ask a Surety Join us for an informative session with a panel of financial security specialists who will provide their perspectives on recent changes in the surety industry that could impact customs brokers. This session offers a moderated opening discussion followed by an open Q&A for customs brokers to ask the panel questions about the impact of CARM, coverage requirements, or related issues. Speakers: Keith Sherwood, NFP; Jim Zuhlke, Avalon; Pina Mazzoli, RAISE; Olga Iankine, Intact; Colleen Clarke, Roanoke Moderator: Jason Delisle, CSCB Board Member |
| 15:00 – 15:15 Grand Foyer | Networking Break |
| 15:15 – 16:00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | The Supply Chains Act – Lessons Learned and What Lies Ahead Canadian entities have completed their first round of reporting under the Supply Chains Act, also known as S-211. Learn how the process unfolded and hear from experts on key takeaways from this initial experience, while looking forward to what could change as we head into Year 2. Speakers: Chad Westmacott, Public Safety Canada; Jacob Mantle, Osler; Michael Zobin, Livingston International Moderator: Shelley Gares, CSCB |
| 17:15 – 22:00 Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall | Dinner and Social @ Ranchmans! Join us for Western food and fun at Calgary’s iconic country nightclub and Stampede hot spot for more than 50 years. Get ready for a night of great food, live music, dancing and—if you dare—a turn on the mechanical bull! Buses leave the hotel at 17:15. Buses leave Ranchmans in 20-minute intervals starting at 20:00. |
Tuesday, September 24 | |
| 07:45 – 09:00 Mayfair/End Rooms | Breakfast for Conference Delegates and Registered Companions |
| 09:00 – 10:00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Best Practices in Moving Perishables in the Supply Chain Our esteemed panel of industry and government representatives will review the supply chain through the lens of importing perishables. Speakers: Gloria Terhaar, Pacific Customs Brokers; Angela Collins, CSCB Board Member Moderator: Gillian Lochhead, CSCB Board Member |
| 10:00 – 10:15 Grand Foyer | Networking Break |
| 10:15 – 11:15 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Global Markets Are What We Do – What’s New in E-commerce? Join us for an invigorating discussion on the state of importer of record (IOR) liability in the casual stream, the CLVS moratorium, the proposed changes and what this means to the customs broker. Robert Stein, VP of Braumiller Consulting Group, will also provide an overview of the US experience with e-commerce and Type 86 entries. Speakers: Robert Stein, Braumiller Consulting Group; Shelley Gares, CSCB; Penny Moulton, CSCB Board Member Moderator: Jey Sanmuganathan, CSCB Board Member |
| 11:15 – 12:00 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Selected Sales Tax Issues: A Primer On E-commerce Platforms, Non-Residents, and Customs Brokers We demystify selected import sales tax issues in this session. Topics include: sales tax collection and remittance rules for e-commerce firms who are “marketplace facilitators”; import sales tax rules for remote sellers (i.e. “non-resident importers”); and provincial sales tax rules applicable to customs brokerage fees. Join us to learn more. Speakers: Colleen Ma, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP, Calgary; Satinder Bains, Customs Expert, Miller Thomson, LLP, Vancouver Moderator: Alan Dewar, CSCB Board Member |
| 12:00 – 13:30 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | Lunch for Conference Delegates |
| 13:30 – 14:30 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | The Role of AI in Customs Brokerage There has been an explosion in the nature and availability of AI technologies. Hear from our panel of industry specialists about what AI can and cannot do, and how it can affect both the role and the responsibilities of brokers. Speakers: Joseph Haroun, VP Professional Services, Windmill; Matt Earish, Portway; Anupa Rongala, Invensis; Glenn Palanacki, Descartes Moderator: Janine Harker, CSCB |
| 14:30 – 14:45 Grand Foyer | Networking Break |
| 14:45 – 15:30 Britannia/Belair (Plenary Room) | SIMA Enforcement and the Broker’s Role The mysterious world of the SIMA enforcement regime is a source of confusion for importers, brokers, and foreign producers. This panel discussion will provide brokers with key perspectives on SIMA enforcement from legal professionals who deal with these complex files. Speakers: Jacob Mantle, Osler; George Reid, Bennett Jones Moderator: Amber Park, CSCB Board Member |
| 15:30 | Official Conference Close |
Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
GRAHAM SHERMAN
A self-professed “high level geek,” Graham disrupted the brewing industry by turning his homebrewing hobby into the Tool Shed Brewing Company. Originally housed in his backyard tool shed, the brewery now spans 22,000 square feet and sells products in over 1000 locations. Before Tool Shed, Graham worked on encrypted communication networks for the Canadian and US governments. Graham's talk emphasizes harnessing disruption for personal transformation.
Satinder Bains
Customs Expert, Miller Thompson LLP, Vancouver
Colleen Clarke
Senior Vice President, Surety & Trade Relations, Roanoke Insurance Group Inc.
Angela Collins
Qualified Officer, CTCS, CCS (Canada & US)
Kiani Duquette
A/Director, Permit Operations, Client Services and Reporting, Global Affairs Canada
Maninder Sidhu, Member of Parliament, Brampton East
Elected as MP for Brampton East in 2019, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development. A University of Waterloo graduate, he founded a customs brokerage business and The Kindness Movement, supporting disadvantaged students in Canada and India, and mentors young entrepreneurs in his community. Maninder was a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT).
Matt Earish
President & Chief Operating Officer, Portway International
Joseph Haroun
VP Professional Services, Windmill
Olga Iankine
Manager Surety, Ontario & Atlantic, Intact Insurance
Colleen Ma
Partner, Miller Thompson LLP, Calgary
Jacob Mantle
Associate Counsel, Osler
Pina Mazzoli
Senior Vice President, Commercial Surety, RAISE Underwriting
Penny Moulton
CSCB Board of Directors
Deborah Osborne
Chair, CSCB Board of Directors
Glenn Palanacki
VP of Industry Strategy (Broker, Forwarder, Customs and Air), Descartes
George Reid
Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Anupa Rongala
Director and CEO, Invensis Group
Gilles Russell
Director, Trade Controls, Global Affairs Canada
Keith Sherwood
Associate Vice President, Commercial Surety Manager, NFP Canada
Robert Stein
Vice President, Braumiller Consulting Group
Gloria Terhaar
Trade Compliance Supervisor/Regulatory Analyst, Pacific Customs Brokers, Ltd.
Julia Webster
Partner, Baker McKenzie
Chad Westmacott
Director General, Community Safety, Corrections and Criminal Justice Directorate, Public Safety Canada
Michael Zobin
Director, Global Trade Consulting – Canada, Livingston International
Registration
Registration Fees
- DELEGATE registration fee includes: welcome reception, conference sessions, breakfast, lunch and breaks on Monday and Tuesday, social event Monday evening
- COMPANION registration fee includes: welcome reception, breakfast on Monday and Tuesday, social event on Monday evening (note: no companion tour will be offered)
| DELEGATE TYPE | DELEGATE FEE | COMPANION FEE |
|---|---|---|
| Principals and Employees of CSCB Member Firms and CSCB Preferred Business Clients* | $ 895.00 | $ 270.00 |
| CCS, CTCS Designates not employed by CSCB Member Firms or CSCB Preferred Business Clients | $ 1,000.00 | $ 300.00 |
| All others | $ 1,200.00 | $ 350.00 |
GST/HST# 13183 1323 RT | Fees are listed in CAD.
* NOTE to employees of member and client firms: for a membership discount to be applied, please ensure to select a correct employer in the Company Name field in My Profile > Personal Profile.
Registration Process
The registration process has changed since the launch of our new system. Please follow these instructions for best experience.
- Register: To register for CSCB events, you need to sign into your account. The "Register Now" link will take you to the sign-in page.
- Sign In: To access your CSCB account, use the email address where you receive CSCB emails. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it using the "Forgot Your Password" feature.
- No More Usernames: CSCB no longer uses usernames. Instead, enter your email address when signing in.
- New Account: If you don’t have a CSCB account yet, click on "Create an Account" on the sign-in page.
Once signed in, you’ll be able to register for events, update your profile, and access other features.
If you’d like your employer to cover your conference registration but you don't have a corporate credit card, follow these steps:
- Self-Registration: Complete the registration process yourself.
- Select “Pay Later”: During registration, choose the “Pay Later” option.
- Invoice URL: Once on the invoice page, copy the URL.
- Email to Employer: Email the invoice URL to your employer. They will be able to access it without a login.
- Credit Card Payment: Paying via credit card is available on the invoice page, if the invoice total is less than $5,000 CAD.
For best experience, each participant should register themselves.
- Employee Self-Registration: Your employees should register themselves for our events. They’ll be able to email you a link to the invoice for payment.
- Credit Card Payment: Paying via credit card is available on the invoice page, if the invoice total is less than $5,000 CAD.
Conference registration will be cancelled and a refund issued only when written instruction is received at least 14 days prior to the event by the CSCB National Office. Substitution is available; please contact us for information on the substitution policy for this event.
Refund Policy
Conference registration will be cancelled and a refund issued only when written instruction is received at least 7 days prior to the event by the CSCB National Office. Substitution is available; please contact us for information on the substitution policy for this event.
Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting this year's CSCB conference!
Platinum | |
| Avalon Risk Management delivers tailored coverage and automated solutions to protect your company and maximize your productivity in the U.S. and Canada. |
Gold | |
 | NFP, an Aon company, is an organization of consultative advisors and problem solvers. We help companies and individuals around the globe address their most significant risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement challenges through custom solutions and a people-first approach. |
| Intact Surety offers innovative solutions tailored to meet your needs in an ever-changing marketplace, such as seamless cross-border service, along with access to a dedicated surety claims and risk management team of lawyers, accountants, engineers, and project managers. |
Silver | |
| Portway International (2023) is a leading global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider for the logistics and customs brokerage industries. |
| Roanoke Insurance Group Canada Inc. is the leading provider of insurance and surety solutions for transportation and logistics providers. |
Bronze | |
| Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform digitally combines the world’s most expansive logistics network with the industry’s broadest array of logistics management applications and most comprehensive offering of global trade related intelligence. |
| Invensis Technologies offers premier business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions that promote scalability, foster agility, and deliver superlative digital experiences. |
| Windmill specializes in automating and simplifying business processes, customizing solutions to meet specific needs, and delivering trustworthy results. |
| RAISE Underwriting is an independent Canadian Managing General Agent (MGA) and a leading supplier of risk insurance and surety products. |
Travel & Accommodations
Travel
We are pleased to announce that Air Canada is offering preferred rates to travel to our conference. To obtain the discount, please enter the following promotion code: QW4JCPW1 in the Promotion Code box.
Please note:
- The booking is to be made to Calgary, YYC (CA)
- The travel period begins Sunday, September 15, 2024 and ends Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
- For flights within North America, a 5% discount applies on standard fares, and a 10% discount applies on flex fares & higher.
Accommodations
This year's conference will be hosted at the The Westin Calgary in downtown Calgary, AB.
The Westin Calgary
320 4th Avenue SW,
Calgary, AB T2P 2S6
Reserve your room by August 30, 2024 to take advantage of our preferred rate of $219 plus taxes. Our room block name is CDN SOCIETY OF CUSTOMS BROKERS.
Charity
Our Tradition
Every year at our national conferences, we identify a local charity in the host city and make a donation in honour of our speakers rather than giving them traditional speaker gifts.
This year, we are supporting the Trellis Society.
Trellis Society is a registered charity that empowers people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to grow and flourish. We support those affected by homelessness, poverty, social isolation, mental health barriers, intergenerational trauma and more through a range of services that span from housing, community hubs and child development, to employment readiness, cultural connection and clinical services. At Trellis, we strive to make a lasting generational impact and grow a community where everyone can thrive.
Trellis Society empowers people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to grow and flourish. Through services that range from housing, family and child development, to clinical, employment and cultural supports, we offer fertile ground and nurturing care for people to thrive beyond the challenges they face.
Destination: Calgary
Welcome to Calgary...
...a destination with a mix of big-city energy, warm western hospitality, and wondrous natural beauty!
When you arrive in the city for the 2024 CSCB National Conference, you’ll quickly discover why Calgary was recently chosen by Condé Nast Traveller readers as the ‘world’s friendliest city’. Calgary’s people, places and stories are its biggest strengths, making Calgary a diverse and welcoming destination for all.
From its bustling downtown to character-filled neighbourhoods, Calgary boasts an exploding culinary, arts and culture scene, along with an impressive list of attractions. With one of the world’s most modern and welcoming airports, Calgary delivers a remarkable experience from arrival to departure.
- EXPLORE over 200 restaurants in Calgary’s downtown core, where you can indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights.
- EXPERIENCE North America’s most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network with approximately 1000 km of region pathways and 96 kms of trails.
- DISCOVER Calgary’s many attractions. From the polar bears making a splash at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to the sky-high views of the Calgary Tower, the city provides an experience you won’t forget.
- VISIT Calgary’s diverse neighbourhoods. From the shops and restaurants of 17th Avenue to the live music venues of Inglewood, there is no better way to immerse yourself.
Unlock savings with the Calgary 'Explore More' 2024 Pass
Access exclusive discounts at over 50 restaurants, attractions, shops, and more with the mobile-exclusive Calgary 'Explore More' 2024 Pass, designed for you to enjoy during your downtime. This complimentary pass is reserved exclusively for CSCB delegates. Sign up today and prepare for your visit!
Promo Code: YYC2024
Start planning your visit to Calgary at https://www.visitcalgary.com/CSCB2024
We look forward to seeing you in Calgary!