The Chief Information Officers Association of Canada (CIOCAN) and its Toronto Chapter will be hosting the sixth annual CIO Peer Forum, a day-and-a-half event on April 19th and 20th, 2012, at the new state-of-the-art Allstream Centre in Toronto. The CIO Peer Forum is a practical manifestation of CIOCAN’s mission statement – to “facilitate networking, sharing of best practices and executive development . . . .” It represents the largest in-person gathering of CIOCAN members – to facilitate cross-Canada networking and sharing – and the largest agenda of member-focused topics – to foster executive development.
The 2012 CIO Peer Forum will bring senior IT practitioners together with experts and thought leaders to explore, discuss, learn and ultimately change the way the CIOs do business. The event’s various sessions will provide attendees with actionable information that can create positive and immediate impact on their organizations.
Maybe Nicholas Carr was right way back in 2003 – maybe Technology doesn’t Matter! With technology solutions increasingly commoditized, outsourced, moved (or moving) to the cloud or just generally consumerized (iPhone app anyone?), the continuing question of the true value of technology leadership within organizations has never been under greater pressure. Sure, managing projects and ensuring the infrastructure is up to snuff is important. But how important? Certainly not strategically important! That is why this year’s CIO Peer Forum theme delves into the uncomfortable truth of where the industry is going. To be more than a CIO means being more than technology – and that is why CIOCAN members need to “Be the Business” more than ever.
Be the Business: Meeting the Future Head-On
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Craigg Ballance and Mary Anne Ballantyne, Co-Chairs of the 2012 CIO Peer Forum
The CIO Peer Forum will bring together like-minded business leaders, providing a framework to develop new relationships, discuss CIO case studies and become inspired by our keynote speakers. In an atmosphere of open dialogue, you will have opportunities to hear about each other’s challenges in creating C-level synergy, and to find ways to be more successful in your efforts.
Gary Davenport, President of the CIO Association of Canada
I'm delighted to encourage you to attend the association's premier annual gathering, the 2012 CIO Peer Forum.
I'd also like to congratulate and thank Mary Anne and Craigg, the Programming Committee, and the Toronto chapter of CIOCAN for their efforts to organize and host this prestigious event. See you in Toronto in April!
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What others are saying about the CIO Peer Forum
In both the public and private sectors, IT has been struggling for years to have the ‘seat at the table’ with our business. While some CIOs believe they are firmly engaged, we often think of our business partners as ‘customers’. If our business partners are our customers then we are ‘order takers’ and don’t have the strategic influence we should command. The 2012 CIO Peer Forum, Be the Business: Meeting the Future Head-On, will provide the peer networking and thought leadership to help address these conundrums. Sharing best practices and practical solutions, hearing for industry experts and practitioners, is an extremely valuable development opportunity for any CIO and one I don’t want to miss.
Samantha Liscio, Corporate Chief Strategist, Ontario Government
Even for a Toronto-based CIO, the 2011 CIO Peer Forum held in Vancouver was well worth the investment of time and cost. The presentations and networking were great. I am looking forward to the 2012 CIO Peer Forum to be held in Toronto
Jeff Hutchinson, CIO, Maple Leaf Foods
It’s the only authoritative venue for IT leaders in Canada to discuss relevant and topical imperatives facing CIOs today
Dave Codack, VP, Employee Technology & Network Services, TD Bank Financial Group
The CIO Peer Forum delivers value for money and simply helps me become a better CIO
Daniela Crivianu-Gaita, Vice President and CIO, The Hospital for Sick Children
I find the CIO Peer Forum a great opportunity to network with like-minded peers, exchange best practices, and learn from each others' experience
Sherif Sheta, Director, Information Technology, Baxter Corporation, Canada