OAKVILLE, ON, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Leaders of family businesses from across Canada will converge in Toronto May 20-22, 2015 for the Family Business Symposium hosted by the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE). This year's event features educational workshops and keynote presentations from such prominent family business leaders as Rob Sobey of Sobeys/Empire Inc., Tim Hogarth of Pioneer Energy, Llewellyn Smith of E.D. Smiths & Sons, and Toronto's own Larry Rosen of Harry Rosen's. The conference's theme of 'helping business families succeed' is appropriate considering family business constitutes an estimated 80% of all businesses worldwide and 70-90% of global GDP. Baby-boomers are retiring in increasing numbers and many family businesses must deal with the transition of the family's business and wealth in coming years.
"Given the importance of family business to the economy and philanthropy of Canada and around the world, a forum such as CAFE's Family Business Symposium to share ideas is invaluable", suggests Rob Sobey, a 4th generation member of the Sobey family. "Exchanging ideas of what has worked for some business families and revealing hidden pitfalls can help others avoid unnecessary stresses on their business and family."
The annual conference is the only one of its kind in Canada bringing family business members together to share experiences and learn best practices from industry experts and leaders of family businesses. Many attendees are part of multi-generational family businesses or have aspirations to be multi-generational, so succession and retirement planning are popular topics as are managing family dynamics and the interface between the family and the business to ensure the success of both.
During the conference CAFE will conduct the Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) Gala Thursday evening (May 21st) to celebrate and recognize the contributions of family business in Canada. Morley Hoppner, a family-owned general contracting business based in Ottawa, is this year's recipient of the prestigious award and will be honoured. In addition, the evening will feature a special keynote presentation about 'leadership' delivered by Michael 'Pinball' Clemons of CFL fame.
CAFE has conducted the Family Business Symposium since 1992 and works to provide knowledge, resources and connections to help address the unique challenges of owning and operating a family business. Speaking of CAFE and the Family Business Symposium, Larry Rosen, Chairman and CEO of the successful Harry Rosen men's wear chain notes "Family businesses are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy and face a unique set of challenges compared to other organizations. CAFE's support and programming is so important in assisting us to prepare for the changing economic environment. The Symposium provides business families with a forum to share their experiences and discuss strategies to overcome the challenges of today's competitive marketplace."
For more information visit www.cafecanada.ca
SOURCE Canadian Association of Family Enterprise
Image with caption: "During the conference CAFE will conduct the Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) Gala Thursday evening (May 21st) to celebrate and recognize the contributions of family business in Canada. The evening will feature a special keynote presentation about ‘leadership’ delivered by Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons of CFL fame. (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Family Enterprise)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150505_C8788_PHOTO_EN_16169.jpg
Image with caption: "Larry Rosen, Chairman and CEO of the successful Harry Rosen men’s wear chain notes “CAFE’s support and programming is so important in assisting us to prepare for the changing economic environment. The Symposium provides business families with a forum to share their experiences and discuss strategies to overcome the challenges of today’s competitive marketplace.” (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Family Enterprise)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150505_C8788_PHOTO_EN_16170.jpg
Image with caption: "“Given the importance of family business to the economy and philanthropy of Canada and around the world, a forum such as CAFE’s Family Business Symposium to share ideas is invaluable”, suggests Rob Sobey, a 4th generation member of the Sobey family. (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Family Enterprise)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150505_C8788_PHOTO_EN_16171.jpg
Sheila Simms, [email protected], (905) 337-8375 ext. 221
Share this article