Program
Breakfast & Registration
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Start the day by connecting with fellow business leaders, exporters, and trade professionals over breakfast before the official program begins.
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Welcome Remarks
8:30 AM
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
Opening remarks will highlight Kingston’s growing role in international trade and investment, the importance of export diversification, and the resources available to help local businesses succeed in global markets.
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Special Remarks & Announcement
8:45 AM
Jay Amer, President, Ontario East Economic Development Commission
A special address on emerging trade opportunities for Eastern Ontario businesses, regional economic development initiatives, and collaborative efforts to strengthen export growth across the region.
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Keynote Address
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Speaker: To Be Confirmed
A keynote presentation exploring the evolving global trade landscape, emerging market opportunities, and strategies Canadian companies can leverage to remain competitive in an increasingly complex international environment.
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Panel Discussion
The World Wants What Canada Has
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Moderator: Alicia McCarthy, Senior Manager, Export Development Canada
Panelists:
· Rene Barnes, President, FabCut
· Shan Jhamandas, General Manager, Canada, IPG Photonics
· TBC
Canada is recognized globally for its innovation, advanced manufacturing capabilities, critical materials, technology, and high-quality products. In this candid discussion, experienced exporters will share real-world lessons from building international business relationships, overcoming trade barriers, entering new markets, and adapting to changing global conditions.
Topics include:
· Export growth strategies
· Leveraging Canada’s trade agreements
· Building international partnerships
· Navigating market-specific challenges
· Lessons learned from successful export expansion
· Best practices for scaling internationally
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Networking Break
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
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Expert Panel
Trade Essentials: Certification, Financing, Compliance & Beyond
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Moderator: Diana Cartwright, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada
Panelists:
· Andrew Barber, Director, Farrow
· Representative, Kuehne+Nagel (TBC)
· Margaret Kim, Counsel, Gowling WLG
Successfully exporting requires more than identifying customers abroad. Companies must also navigate regulations, product certifications, customs requirements, logistics, risk management, financing, and legal considerations.
This expert panel will provide practical guidance on:
· Trade financing and risk mitigation
· Customs and border requirements
· International logistics and supply chain planning
· Regulatory and certification requirements
· Legal considerations and trade compliance
· Protecting intellectual property in foreign markets
Attendees will gain valuable insights from organizations that support exporters every day and learn how to avoid common pitfalls when entering international markets.
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Featured Program Presentation
GoEU Market Expansion Program
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Arthur Kong, Director, Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC)
Learn about the GoEU Market Expansion Program, a specialized initiative designed to help Canadian companies explore and enter European markets. The session will provide an overview of available supports, including market intelligence, business matchmaking, trade missions, and funding opportunities designed to accelerate export growth across Europe.
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Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
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International Market Perspectives Panel
Navigating Opportunities in European Markets
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Representatives from leading European trade and business organizations will provide firsthand insights into doing business across Europe and accessing one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated economic regions.
Panelists:
· Karolina Konicarova, Director of Canadian Operations, CzechBusiness, Consulate General of the Czech Republic
· Lukas Kirstgen, Vice President, Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce
· Gregor Postl, Consul and Trade Commissioner, Austrian Consulate General
· Luís Sequeira, Director, Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency and Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Embassy of Portugal
· Daniel Nemeth, Economic and Trade Attaché, Consulate General of Hungary
Discussion topics include:
· Market opportunities for Canadian companies
· Sector trends and emerging areas of growth
· Regulatory and market entry considerations
· Distribution, partnerships, and business development strategies
· Trade events and industry conferences worth attending
· Resources available through European trade organizations and government partners
Participants will gain valuable market intelligence directly from experts who work daily with companies expanding into Europe.
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Market Spotlight Presentation
Asian Markets: Opportunities for Canadian Exporters
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
This presentation will provide a high-level overview of current opportunities across key Asian markets, highlighting growth sectors, market trends, and practical considerations for Canadian businesses looking to diversify their international sales and export strategies.
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Curated B2B Networking Sessions
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Participate in structured one-on-one meetings with trade representatives, international partners, exporters, service providers, and fellow businesses. These curated meetings are designed to facilitate new connections, identify partnership opportunities, and support business development initiatives in target markets.
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Networking Reception
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Continue the conversation with speakers, panelists, trade experts, and business leaders during an informal networking reception. This is an opportunity to build valuable relationships, explore collaboration opportunities, and discuss next steps for international growth.
Meet the speakers:
Margaret Kim – Counsel at Gowling WLG
Margaret Kim is counsel in Gowling WLG’s Toronto office, where she practices international trade and investment law. She advises Canadian and multinational clients on customs, tariffs, trade remedies, sanctions, export controls, foreign investment, and cross-border regulatory matters. Margaret brings experience from both private practice and government, including serving as Trade Counsel to the Province of Ontario, where she advised on domestic and international trade agreements, investment treaty matters, and responses to U.S. trade actions. She regularly advises clients in strategic sectors such as energy, critical minerals, manufacturing, and telecommunications, and has taught International Trade Law at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Dániel Németh- Economic and Trade Attaché, Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto
Dániel Németh is an Economic and Trade Attaché at the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto, where he works to strengthen economic and investment ties between Hungary and Canada. He supports Hungarian companies in entering and expanding in the Canadian market, facilitates cross-border business partnerships, and provides assistance to Canadian companies wishing to invest in Hungary.
Prior to his diplomatic posting in Canada, Dániel spent 13 years at Hungary’s Ministry of Finance, serving in various positions and gaining extensive experience in public finance, economic policy, investment promotion and government administration.
Andrew Barber – Director of Consulting Solutions, Farrow
