COPA-CHPTA “Discovering the Future of Consumer Behaviour” Fall Conference Now Taking Place on November 21st

We apologize for any inconvenience the change in date may have caused but we hope you can join us on the new date of November 21^st  where attendees will have an opportunity to hear from a diverse lineup of speakers who will delve into key topics shaping the future of consumer behaviour as well as help honour two gentlemen, Michael McLarney and Bill Morrison, who have made significant contributions to the Hardware & Housewares Industry in Canada.

Join us for an insightful and engaging day at the Richmond Hill Country Club on November 21st, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, for the “Discovering the Future of Consumer Behaviour” conference hosted by COPA and CHPTA. This event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore the evolving landscape of consumer behaviour and its implications for businesses.

Presentation Topics

Unlocking Potential: Strategic Use of AI in Business: Join Gensen Gisborne, VP of Sales at Romain Berg, for an enlightening keynote on the transformative power of AI in business. “Unlocking Potential: Strategic Use of AI in Business” will explore how AI tools like GPT-4 can drive efficiency, innovation, and growth. Gensen will share practical applications, success stories, and future trends, providing you with valuable insights to strategically integrate AI into your business operations. This session is designed to inspire and equip you with the knowledge to harness AI for unlocking new opportunities and achieving business excellence.

Economic Update & Outlook: Join TD Economist Rishi Sondhi for a presentation by one of TD Bank’s top economists on the key factors impacting the Canadian, U.S. and Global economies. This session will provide you with key insights into GDP, consumer spending and the Canadian housing market; forecasts for inflation, interest rates and the Canadian dollar; as well as update you on other important economic issues to keep you in the know as you finalize your business planning for 2025.

Consumer Purchasing Behaviour Insights: Join us for a presentation by David Kaelin of OpenBrand (formerly TraQline) which will provide insights into consumer purchasing behaviour and key industry trends. Understand what is motivating consumers to buy products within a number of industry product categories; where are they buying from; what brands are they buying; and what are the factors influencing their decisions.  

Keynote from Retail Professional: Retail professionals, who are experiencing the changes in consumer behaviour first-hand, will share their unique insights and strategies. Learn directly from those on the front lines about how they are adapting to and anticipating the evolving expectations of today’s consumers. On hand to share his unique insights and strategies will be Sumit Luthra, recently appointed President of Grand & Toy.  

Meet our Presenters

Gensen Gisborne is a seasoned sales management professional with over a decade of experience in building teams and business development. As the Vice President of Sales at Romain Berg, a premiere digital marketing agency based in the heart of Minneapolis, Gensen focuses on coaching teams, building brand authority, and managing online reputations. His expertise has helped numerous businesses enhance their visibility and credibility in competitive markets.

Gensen is also a passionate guest lecturer, known for his practical insights on effective communication and partnership building. His approachable style and ability to demystify complex technical concepts make his talks both engaging and actionable. He enjoys helping businesses and professionals understand how to apply these concepts to achieve their goals and drive growth.

In his role as a business strategist, Gensen specializes in assisting businesses with the implementation of effective marketing and AI tools. His strategic approach involves a thorough understanding of market dynamics and the unique needs of each client. By leveraging advanced technologies like GPT-4, Gensen helps businesses automate routine tasks, enhance productivity, and optimize their marketing efforts. His ability to tailor AI applications to specific business objectives ensures that clients not only meet but exceed their digital marketing goals.

An enthusiastic outdoor adventurer and a dedicated father of two, Gensen finds balance in exploring nature and spending quality time with his family. His multifaceted personality and dedication to both his family and career contribute to his relatable and down-to-earth demeanor.

Rishi Sondhi has been with the TD Economics team since 2017, where he is responsible for analyzing and forecasting provincial economies and housing markets and is a contributor to a variety of TD publications. 

Prior to TD Bank, he worked with a real estate consulting firm where he researched and forecasted housing markets across Canada, as well as provincial and municipal economic activity. His extensive forecasting experience includes work with the Bank of Canada, the Ontario Construction Secretariat, CMHC and another major financial institution. In the latter role, he forecasted the economic performance of both the U.S. and Canadian economies. 

Rishi holds an Honours B.A. degree in Economics from The University of Western Ontario.

David Kaelin has three decades of expertise in corporate and tech leadership focused on creating value through data for customers. As Vice President of Growth at OpenBrand, David focuses on identifying new and innovative data driven insights that help the business deliver greater impact to the industry. Before his time at OpenBrand (previously TraQline), David was president of the fastest growing division of Appriss, a company that leverages data and technology to generate knowledge for good, where he led the nationwide expansion of its solutions through organic product and customer growth and strategic acquisitions. OpenBrand is a real-time market intelligence provider, delivering actionable insights and expert analysis for the consumer durables industry and beyond. Their tools merge market share, mindshare, pricing, promotions, and media data to empower brands and retailers to drive results. For more information, please visit www.OpenBrand.com.

In May of 2024, Sumit Luthra was appointed President of Canadian B2B distributor Grand & Toy – a subsidiary of The ODP Corporation (ODP).  

 Sumit is a seasoned business leader with a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the Consumer-Packaged Goods and Food industries. His proven ability to build stakeholder relationships, drive strategic growth and deliver exceptional results is evident from his successful tenure as General Manager at Campbell Company of Canada.  Sumit’s leadership style is characterized by a strong focus on people, collaboration, and innovation. 

 With a deep understanding of the market and a passion for building high-performance teams, Sumit has consistently exceeded expectations throughout his career. His extensive experience includes pivotal roles at Weston Bakeries, Mars, Nestle, and Procter & Gamble, where he honed his skills in Sales, Marketing, and General Management. 

 Sumit holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, providing him with a robust foundation for strategic decision-making. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is committed to giving back to the community and enjoys mountain hiking with his family.