LOCATION: Canada Science & Technology Museum
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
MAJOR EVENT PARTNER
MARKETING SPONSORS
DESIGNED FOR KEY MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVES, STAFF & SUPPORT TEAMS AT:
Museums | Galleries | Historic Sites | Cultural Centres | Public & Private Attractions | Libraries | Heritage Buildings | Collectives & Local Support Societies | Parks & Trails | and any institution or organization which manages similar locations.
ATTEND AND YOU WILL: Upgrade Your Marketing, Engagement & Fundraising Skills | Network with Colleagues & Make New Connections | Add to your career experience | Discover New Vendor Partners | Collect New Research & Insights | See New Technology In Action | Confer With Select Exhibitors | Take home the Free 100+ Page Maximum Marketing Workbook | Tour one of the world’s most-inspiring and historically impactful museums right here in Ontario | Take the opportunity to visit other local Ottawa Museums and Tourist Destinations | and more.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE & THE ORGANIZER
This Second Annual Conference’s mission is to expand and enhance the ability of Canada’s museums, galleries, historic sites and cultural organizations and similar institutions to meet the marketing, communications, fundraising and technology challenges in today’s sector. 
DM Magazine is Canada’s premier publication and media channel for masters of data-driven, insights-based marketing and we’re tapping into our readership and authors to bring top-flight speakers who can bring their experience and deep knowledge to delegates from all types and sizes of organizations. DM Magazine has also staged the annual Canadian National Fundraising Conference, the annual AI in Philanthropy SuperConference, the bi-annual Loyalty & Rewards Forum, and many other national and regional conferences and seminars. Your future and your organizations depend on leveraging these rapidly-changing strategies, tactics, experiences, technologies, platforms, programs and stories to help build, maintain, and expand organizational revenue streams. If you attend, you will hear from the most impactful people in the sector. Ideas from leaders and teams at museums, heritage sites, galleries, libraries, historic buildings, settlements, exhibitions, and other institutions which welcome visitors and impact their communities, their regions and their business partners.
Discover powerful new ways to increase membership, multiply visitor numbers, offer more visual or digital and virtual exhibits, sign partnerships with local and regional sponsors and business partners, ramp up merchandise sales, get more brand exposure in press, social media, radio, TV, YouTube and more…be sure to bring your team to this Conference. Plus…we have special rates for team registrations and appropriate rates for both volunteer-run or skeleton-staffed facilities.
Attend the Conference, Stay the Weekend, or Plan Your Route to Maximize Visits to Other Sites along the way. Be sure to bring your team and save on registrations.
The Conference Venue: Canada Science & Technology Museum, 1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 5A3
The Canada Science and Technology Museum tells Canada’s story of science and technology through discovery, play, and experiential learning. With daily experiments, hands-on exhibitions, and a remarkable collection of artifacts, visitors of all ages learn the role innovation plays in shaping our shared future. The museum’s immersive exhibitions and programming are designed to inspire interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Permanent galleries explore key advancements in science and technology, including steam-powered travel, sound technologies, natural resources, and medical innovations. The inspiring exhibitions feature a vast collection of science and technology artifacts from Ingenium’s collection—from household appliances to cars and steam locomotives.
WORKING AGENDA
Date: October 8th, 2026.
Time: 7:30 am Registration, Breakfast, Networking, Displays Open.
Welcome: 8:45 am, followed by Opening Keynote.
9:45 am Breakout & Super Sessions.
12:30 pm Luncheon & Lunch Speaker.
Afternoon: Breakout & Super Sessions. Panel Discussion.
Closing Keynote. Networking. 5:30 pm Conference Concludes.
YOUR 2026 CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ARE:
Opening Keynote Speaker: Olivier Carré-Delisle, Vice-President, Digital, Public Affairs and Commercial Operations, Ingenium. Carré-Delisle joined Ingenium , Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, in March 2021 as Vice-President of Digital, Public Affairs and Commercial Operations. He is responsible for the strategy and execution of corporate communications and marketing activities, as well as the digital technology portfolio. He also leads the company’s commercial operations. He has over 20 years of professional experience in the public and private sectors. As a senior executive, he has led dozens of cross-functional teams in small and medium-sized national organizations across a variety of sectors, including federal policy, science and technology research and development, the aviation industry, and the heritage and tourism industry. Prior to joining Ingenium, Olivier was Director of Communications at NAV CANADA, held several senior management positions at the National Research Council of Canada and also worked at the Senate of Canada as an advisor and public information manager.
Keynote Speaker: Ros Lawler, Chief Brand & Business Officer, Art Gallery of Ontario. Ros Lawler joined the AGO in 2024 as the Chief Brand & Business Officer. In this inaugural role, Ros leads a multifaceted team to ensure that the AGO’s brand and visitor experience are consistent throughout the Gallery while maximizing revenues across all revenue streams. Before joining the AGO, Ros was the Chief Operating Officer at the National Portrait Gallery in London, U.K. She played a lead role in delivering a complete transformation of the building, brand and visitor experience to create relevance and engagement for the Gallery for future generations and to secure long term financial sustainability. Prior to this, Ros was the Digital Director at Tate. She devised a new digital strategy, focusing on creating immersive experiences, digital interpretation, wayfinding and e-commerce.
Keynote Speaker: Lori Davison, Chief Strategy Officer at Diamond, a leading independent integrated creative agency in Toronto. Prior to joining Diamond, Lori spent 10 years client-side, most recently as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Royal Ontario Museum. Prior to ROM, Lori served as Head of Brand Strategy at SickKids Foundation in Toronto, Canada. At SickKids, Lori was the architect of the groundbreaking SickKids VS brand campaign which succeeded in driving $1.7+ billion in fundraising revenue for the redevelopment of SickKids hospital. Lori is a recognized leader in the Canadian advertising industry. She honed her skills in leadership roles at agency multi-nationals BBDO and Leo Burnett. She is a known champion of compelling creative ideas with work awarded in every major international advertising show. Lori was named Canada’s 2017 Marketer of the Year by the Canadian Marketing Association. She is a former Board Director of Heritage Toronto and a passionate Torontophile.
SUPER SESSION & BREAKOUT SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
(More to be Announced)
Kelly Bergeron, CEO & Cofounder, Poptronic VR.
A special look–literally–at virtual reality and the future of interactive media for museums, with strong case studies, examples from as far away as Asia and Europe, where these technologies are helping to bring visitors into the locations. There is great excitement now around how to create digital twins for museums but also how to bring new experiences into the actual buildings and exhibits. A stunning talk guaranteed to make your eyes open to the possibilities. When Kelly Bergeron first thought of the idea for her start-up company, she knew just the person to call. It was September 2021 when she sat down to dinner with former colleague, Chatnie Herne, to talk through her idea and the possibility of partnership. The two first met at the Ontario Emerging Jobs Institute while working on a project aimed at teaching adult learners about how to use technology and digital skills to upscale their job skills. With their shared passion for technology and accessibility, Bergeron was eager to share the idea for a new business: Poptronic, a company that would make virtual reality (VR) technology accessible to those for whom it had been largely out of reach. Poptronic now offers virtual technology for a range of functions, including training, education, gaming and entertainment, fitness, meditation, and more. Since this technology can be costly, they rent it out to lower barriers for users. The virtual reality industry has been growing rapidly in recent years. Insight Partners suggests the global market will grow to US$441.84 billion by 2030. At the same time, data shows that women-led start-ups receive less than three per cent of all venture capital investments — a barrier the Poptronic team encountered in their early days. https://poptronic.ca/
Uwe Stueckmann, Partner, Innovate Marketing.
A veteran Canadian retailer with 30 years of experience in stewarding some of Canada’s most iconic brands and loyalty programs. Uwe has led major marketing, loyalty and brand initiatives at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Parkland Corporation. At Loblaws, he oversaw iconic campaigns for President’s Choice and the growth of PC Optimum, Canada’s largest loyalty program. His presentation will zero in on the power of AI in building loyalty among members, visitors, and customers for museums, galleries and other institutions which rely upon customer revenue. A unique opportunity to learn from Canada’s top loyalty builder. Is your marketing technology stack the asset carrying your strategy or the anchor holding it back? AI, agentic commerce, and financial scrutiny are all landing on the same infrastructure at once. Most CMOs can’t answer whether it’s ready. We give them a clear answer they can act on. Hard questions are converging on your marketing technology at the same time. Three correlated measurement dimensions that triangulate what your program is actually contributing. Each one meaningful on its own, conclusive when they align. CMOs get a clear answer. CFOs get a methodology they can stand behind. https://www.innovate.marketing/
Jessica Singh, Senior Consultant, Do Good Funding.
SESSION: From Visibility to Value: How Museums Can Turn Marketing into Partnerships. Museums and cultural attractions are under increasing pressure to do more than attract visitors. They must demonstrate relevance, build trust with diverse communities, communicate public value, and secure the partnerships and funding needed to sustain their work. This practical workshop explores how museum marketing and communications teams can move beyond promotion and use storytelling as a strategic tool for revenue generation, community engagement, and institutional resilience. Drawing on experience in arts and culture fundraising, grant strategy, sponsorship development, evaluation, and community-based cultural work, this session will help participants connect audience-facing narratives with the language of funders, sponsors, donors, and partners. Participants will learn how to identify the strongest public-value stories within their exhibitions, collections, programs, and community partnerships; translate those stories into compelling sponsorship and funding messages; and avoid common gaps between marketing, development, and programming teams. The session is designed for museum, gallery, heritage, science, and cultural attraction professionals who want to strengthen the relationship between communications, engagement, and resource development. Participants will leave with a practical framework for turning campaigns, exhibitions, and programs into stronger cases for support, partnership, and long-term community relevance.
Jessica brings over 17 years of experience across the arts, culture, social justice, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on fundraising, strategy, and evaluation research. She is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director of the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA). She holds an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford and brings a strong research orientation, along with practical, results-driven fundraising experience. Her work centers on strategic funding development, proposal writing, and research-informed planning to support mission-driven organizations in securing sustainable funding and strengthening long-term impact. Please outline your talk idea and target audience.: From Visibility to Value: How Museums Can Turn Marketing into Partnerships, Funding, and Community Trust https://www.dogoodfunding.ca/
Zainub Verjee, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Art Galleries.
Zainub is an accomplished leader in the art and culture sector and over four decades has shaped culture policy at all levels of governments and contributed to building of cultural institutions and organizations in Canada and internationally. Newly politicized at Simon Fraser University in the mid-70s, fully engaged with Feminist Labour history as well as Artists-run-centres, the setback of the Applebaum-Hébert Cultural Review Committee Report (1982) and second wave of feminism was seized upon by Zainub to put the agenda of women and race on the table. The following two decades saw major cultural policy work in Canada, and it is appropriate to mention Zainub’s central role in making the case of racial equity right at the centre of this development. She further connected these issues with trade through her work with the International Network for Cultural Diversity included promulgating the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted in 2005. Going beyond her call of duty, she selflessly enabled forming alliances, articulating new aesthetics and embedding issue of racial equity firmly into the evolving discourse. She defies an easy classification: a community organizer; artist and critic; prolific writer and speaker; institution builder; reformer and change agent; educator and mentor; and, public policy and legislation developer. A trailblazer, she was directly instrumental in the founding of these cultural institutions (In Visible Colours; B.C.Arts Council; Vancouver Asian Heritage Month; Racial Equity Office in Canada Council for the Arts) and developed policy initiatives, advanced vital interests of artists, and created spaces and access for artists across different disciplines in Canada. Among many appointments to Boards, she is proud of her work at the B.C. Arts Board that led to the legislation B.C.Arts Act and the formation of the institution B.C. Arts Council. Among others, currently she sits on the Advisory Board of ArtsBuild Ontario and is the Chairperson of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. She was invited as an expert for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of Vancouver Olympics 2010. Her art work has been shown at the Venice Biennale, Museum of Modern Art, NY, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Portland US, and resides in private and public collections (Vancouver Art Gallery, Canada). https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/
David Dossett, Owner, Martello Alley.
David Dossett is a master marketer, a visionary artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in Kingston, Ontario. As the founder of Martello Alley—an artist-run gallery transformed from a forgotten downtown alley—David has pioneered creative strategies to attract and engage audiences through both physical and digital experiences. Blending public art, storytelling, and digital outreach, David has launched initiatives like Froid’Art and Jardin’Art, turning cold winters and vibrant summers into opportunities for community connection and cultural engagement. His work demonstrates how art spaces can be reimagined to be more welcoming, inclusive, and interactive. In addition to curating physical spaces, David also runs a thriving online art business through Shopify, with over $1.4 million in sales to date. His experience combining in-person charm with digital reach offers valuable insight into how galleries and museums can boost visibility, grow audiences, and deepen impact in today’s hybrid world. “The Art of Attraction,” will explore creative and digital strategies to draw people in—and keep them coming back. https://www.martelloalley.com/
Sam Leung, VP, Search & Ad Tech, The Aber Group.
Sam Leung focuses on driving impactful digital marketing strategies while leveraging expertise in business analytics, digital marketing, and event planning. His role emphasizes collaboration, innovative problem-solving, and aligning technical projects with the company’s strategic goals. He is committed to enabling teams to deliver creative, results-driven solutions that address the challenges of dynamic advertising landscapes. As a Chartered Marketer, my work aligns with The Aber Group’s mission to deliver effective marketing outcomes through strategic thinking and technical expertise. The Aber Group works with performing arts and cultural organizations to enhance their expertise in using digital media to ignite interest in all aspects of customer engagement. Successfully selling tickets begins with careful analysis and discussion to pinpoint your ideal audience. We use a range of approaches to achieve objectives like leveraging Spotify playlists to target Broadway-musical enthusiasts, using YouTube to reach followers of featured soloists, micro-targeting niche genre enthusiasts, and engaging past ticket purchasers through targeted social media ads. Then we ruthlessly optimize digital media placements, targeting and creative to sell the most tickets we can at the lowest media cost. Our recent campaigns focus on: Enhancing brand and venue awareness Driving ticket sales for individual performances; Promoting series and subscription sales; Cultivating donor and supporter engagement; We support the arts by offering NFP groups a discount on our media management fees and doing our best to negotiate value added and NFP discounts on media buys. https://www.abergroup.com/
More speakers will be announced shortly. Detailed session descriptions are in the works. Take advantage of our Early Bird rates and stay in the loop for frequent updates. Watch for additional information about special rates at Ottawa hotel(s) and the news to be released shortly of a Pre-Conference workshop with Mikhael Bornstein. Full information released July 20th.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP AND/OR EXHIBITING (may include a speaking slot)
REQUEST OUR SPONSORSHIP DETAILS by email to Conference Chair Steve Lloyd at steve@dmn.ca
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN UNTIL AUGUST 16th.
(As little as $255.00 pp with association discounts)
EARLY BIRD SINGLE (1): $295.00
EARLY BIRD DUAL (2): $530.00
EARLY BIRD GROUP (3): $750.00
REGISTRATION BENEFIT OPTIONS INCLUDE:
> Special Rates for Members of Association Partners
> Looking For Opportunities to Sponsor and Exhibit in the Event Hall?
Sponsorship Options include Speaking Appearances and more.
Questions? Email Steve Lloyd, Conference Chair for Full Sponsorship Details.
steve@dmn.ca
or call 905-201-6600