Montreal, March 5, 2015 – The Association québécoise des technologies (AQT) welcomed 151 tech CEOs to the 15th edition of Vision 2015. The event was sold out several weeks before its February 18, 2015, opening at the Fairmont Tremblant, prompting some to note that intelligence could be found as much on the floors of conventions as on the stage!

ACCESS TO HIGH-LEVEL SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE

Panels gave delegates access, via two 90-minute sessions, to professionals who had travelled here specially for the occasion. They were a resounding success with CEOs seeking crucial information on a dozen strategic issues.

DELEGATES AT THE EVENT, THEMED CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS, HAD NO LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS DURING THE CONFERENCE’S LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Delegates went from a workshop on quick decision-making with Philippe Glaude, presented by FINALTA CAPITAL, to a talk on conscious breathing to tame one’s mental zoo with Marco Roy, to a National Bank-hosted welcoming cocktail themed “We make your ideas a reality.”

Before the traditional team-building afternoon organized by BCF, guests were called upon by none other than radio personality Ron Fournier to build family ties between all the regions of Quebec.

The Investissement Québec 2015 CEO of the Year award went to SIM president Chantal Trépanier.

The big 15th anniversary celebrations began with the RBC closing dinner and a presentation on the entrepreneurial journey of Pixmob’s David Parent, who, with his partner Vincent Leclerc, concocted a surprise for us by lighting up the VIP lounge and specially adapting the technology used to illuminate the Super Bowl and the Sotchi Olympics (spotlighting the fabulous cocktails prepared by none other than PUR VODKA founder Nicolas Duvernois in the process).

AN EXPANDING ASSOCIATION

A new service for members announced by the Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women K. Kellie Leitch announced that the Government of Canada had chosen the Association Québécoise des technologies (AQT) to initiate a project to advance women professionals and entrepreneurs heading ICT small businesses. The 30-month project has a budget of $250,000. See details »

New position opened in Quebec City

The AQT toured the province’s major cities last year as part of its efforts to reach members outside of Montreal. Among the comments the association received from businesses was that they were looking for a greater presence on our part and more services close at hand. The AQT is therefore establishing a resource in Quebec City to make its service offer more accessible.

THE ENTREPRENEURS AT CEO VISION HEARD SOME INSPIRING TALKS. HERE ARE A FEW:

The Bank of Canada and ICT entrepreneurs

Deputy governor Agathe Côté addressed CEO Vision on the role ICT entrepreneurs play in their country’s economy. Côté told the assembled CEOs, “You have an impact on the economy…. the Bank has an impact on business conditions, and in turn on you,” and invited them to take part in the Bank’s new quarterly survey. Read the complete speech.

René Vézina – Releasing Quebec’s economic potential

The gloomy economy of the past few years has given rise to a good deal of soul-searching. What’s needed, says René Vézina, is to stop encouraging effort and start recognizing excellence. Painting a portrait of the medium-term economic outlook, Vezina’s review forecast an economic recovery “of variable geometry,” while highlighting initiatives likely to fast-track SMEs focused on excellence.

Jack Shaw – The Revolution of Tomorrow

The massive adoption of new technology has created profound upheavals. In the wake of the World Wide Web’s democratization, will the vertiginous rise of smart systems be the next great wave to hit the world? From the Internet of objects to 3D printers, futurologist Jack Shaw explored the extent of the revolution to come.

Estelle Métayer – Decrypting the Future

There are vast quantities of data out there that are weak and difficult to capture and interpret. Yet these data are harbingers of future trends. According to Estelle Métayer, a business’s success lies in its ability to search out these data and use them to stay 10 years ahead of the pack. A veritable goldmine of tools and strategic concepts, her conference was on the importance of decrypting the future now, before becoming its victim and seeing one’s innovations left behind.

Robert Dutton – A “supplement to the soul” beneficial to society

A vibrant testament to leadership DNA, with 20 years of experience as RONA CEO behind him, Robert Dutton, now a coach at the École d’Entrepreneurship de Beauce, believes that it is by mobilizing its employees around common values that a company acquires, in Bergson’s words, “a supplement to the soul” that is beneficial to society. Dutton then held a round table with the coaches of the AQT.

Guests are invited to reserve a place for Vision 2016, which takes place next February 17 to February 19 at the Fairmont Tremblant. The number of places will remain limited to 150 despite strong demand to preserve the richness of interactions between delegates.

The AQT thanks its partners, who played a key role in this 15th edition’s success.