
Annual Conference and Preferred Supplier Showcase

Register Now!
EARLY BIRD RATE (only until May 15):
$429.00
*Plus HST & Service Fee
Your Conference package registration includes:
Welcome Reception, Cocktail Party, Breakfast, Lunch, President's Dinner, Access to Hospitality Suite, Conference Program, Preferred Supplier Marketplace
*Additional Conference packages may be purchased as part of the Preferred Supplier Showcase
Interested in becoming a Sponsor?
We're looking for sponsorship partners to help us create our most legendary Season Summit to date! Click here to download the 2026 Sponsorship Deck.
Join us for Resorts of Ontario 84th Annual Season Summit
We are heading to the Hard Rock Hotel for the Season Summit, Resorts of Ontario's 84th annual Conference and Preferred Supplier Showcase...will you join us?
Season Summit brings together legendary industry leaders, resort owners, marketers and hospitality professionals to explore the latest trends, marketing insights, and educational sessions as we navigate change, together.
Book today and reserve your seat at the table with the best-of-the-best in the resort industry. Space is limited.
"By changing nothing, nothing changes."
Anthony Robbins
2026 SEASON SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Are you ready to...
Learn.
Network.
Level Up.
Be Legendary!
Resorts of Ontario’s Season Summit is where the resort industry gathers, cranks up the energy, and gets real about the future. It’s all about bold ideas, meaningful connections, and the kind of shared knowledge that helps your business step into the spotlight. With the world changing faster than ever, our speakers shine a light on the opportunities that help resorts not just survive, but thrive. Take a look at the 2026 schedule and we’ll see you there.
DAY 1: Monday, November 2
2:00 PM -
4:00 PM
Arrival, Registration & Hard Rock Red Carpet Welcome!
Where: Hard Rock Hotel Lobby
Kick off the Season Summit with a warm welcome at the Hard Rock Hotel London lobby. Check in, collect your materials, and take a moment to connect with fellow attendees, then step onto the red carpet and into two days of insight, inspiration, and great company.
4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Preferred Supplier Marketplace & Tasting Stations
Where: Century Centre, The Factory
Explore the Preferred Supplier Marketplace and connect with partners from across the industry. Discover new products, innovative offerings, and collaborative opportunities in a dynamic, interactive setting.
Taste of Ontario Reception
A culinary showcase celebrating Ontario’s growers and producers. Enjoy thoughtfully curated tastings that highlight the diversity, quality, and creativity of the region.
6:00 PM -
7:00 PM
Welcome Reception & Cocktail Party
Where: Century Centre, The Factory
Join us for an evening of connection and celebration as we officially welcome attendees to the Season Summit. Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and a relaxed atmosphere to reconnect with colleagues and meet new faces.
Board of Directors Ceremony & Announcements
Celebrate the leadership and contributions of our Board of Directors, with special acknowledgements and key organizational updates to set the stage for the days ahead.
After Hours
Explore 100 Kellogg Lane & Hard Rock Hotel
• Back to the Factory (open until 10pm)
• Beer Kitchen (tasting)
• The Club House Sports Bar (Mini Golf Game)
• Live Music at GMT-5 Lounge
9 PM
"Backstage" Hospitality Suite
Hangout and enjoy a little small talk, networking and fun!
DAY 2: Tuesday, November 3
7:00 AM
Breakfast & Coffee
Where: Century Centre, The Factory
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast alongside fellow attendees. Fuel up, connect, and ease into the day’s programming.
8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
Where: Century Centre, The Factory
Membership Committee Chair, Resorts of Ontario
Jason Stanton, President, Resorts of Ontario
Kerri King, Executive Director, Resorts of Ontario
9:00 AM
Rebecca Godfrey, CBRE
Resort Market Ops and Trends - 2026 and Beyond:
CBRE will discuss global and national resort visitor and development trends (including revenue streams), 2026 ON resort performance and 2027 forecast, and look at how Ontario resorts compare to other national resort destinations.
Join us as we officially open the Season Summit with welcoming remarks from leadership, setting the tone for the days ahead and highlighting key priorities for our community.
9:30 AM
Keynote Presentation by Emily Baillie
Presented by Marcelo Regen, People Corporation
AI and the Future of Tourism: What Resort Operators Need to Pay Attention to Now
AI is quickly becoming part of how travellers research destinations, compare experiences, and interact with hospitality brands. For resort operators, the real question is no longer whether AI matters — but where it adds value and where human hospitality should remain front and centre.
This session focuses on the practical implications for tourism operators: how AI is beginning to influence marketing visibility, guest communication, and operational workflows, and how small teams can experiment with AI responsibly without losing the personal service that defines great hospitality.
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where AI is heading in tourism — and how resort operators can adapt thoughtfully while protecting their brand and guest experience.
Key takeaways
• Where AI is already influencing tourism marketing and online visibility
• What resort operators should and should not automate
• Practical ways small teams can experiment with AI tools
• Guardrails for protecting brand voice, guest trust, and service quality
• Strategic steps resorts can take now as AI adoption accelerates
10:30 AM
Health Break & Marketplace Engagement
Take a moment to recharge and explore the Preferred Supplier Marketplace while connecting with partners.
11:00 AM
Winning Talent: How to Develop and Retain in a Changing World
Presented by Colleen Baker, People Corporation
Panel Host: Jason Stanton
Panelists: Anne Marie Malleau, Great Wolf Lodge; Anthony Mazzaferro, Talent Employment Inc; Aime Anger, People Corporation
12:00 PM
Buffet Lunch
Hosted at the Century Centre
Enjoy a curated buffet lunch and connect with fellow attendees.
1:00 PM
Town Hall: The Future of Tourism in Ontario
Andrew Siegwart - Ontario’s Tourism Playbook
● Provincial Strategy
● Ministry of Tourism
2:00 PM
Bear Pit with Mark Downing, Fern Resort
A gathering of Resorts of Ontario members to discuss challenges, opportunities, best practices for the resort industry.
3:00 PM
Health Break & Marketplace Engagement
Take a moment to recharge and explore the Preferred Supplier Marketplace while connecting with partners.
3:30 PM
Data Driven Planning for Resort Marketers
William Schatten co-founder of CRG - Context Research Group
4:15 PM
Sustainability Panel Discussion
Hosted by: Greg Elmhirst, Elmhirst’s Resort - Best Practises
Guests panelists: TBC
4:45 PM
Closing Remarks
.
6:30 PM - 7 PM
Reception & Cocktails
.
7 PM
President's Dinner
Entertainment to follow dinner.
9 PM
Live Music
.

Keynote Speaker
Emily Baillie
Emily Baillie is a digital marketing and AI strategist, speaker, and professor. She has appeared on CBC News Network, sharing insights on artificial intelligence and marketing.
As the founder of Compass Content Marketing, she works with organizations across Canada to apply AI using a human-first approach. She has trained more than 4,000 professionals, including teams at Destination Northern Ontario, the Canadian Marketing Association, and Jonview Travel—helping them improve marketing, future-proof their strategies, and uncover new opportunities for growth.
Emily believes that technology should work for people—not the other way around.
President, Group Solutions at People Corporation
Marcelo Regen
In his role as President, Group Solutions at People Corporation, Marcelo oversees the Group Solutions Strategic Business Unit, a national operation focused on serving corporate clients. He sets direction and owns the strategy for the business, leads go-to-market execution, and is accountable for financial performance and scalable growth, while improving operational effectiveness to meet client needs.
Marcelo and his team are committed to delivering a seamless, end-to-end client experience and building long-term relationships. Group Solutions designs and supports flexible, customized benefit strategies that extend beyond traditional coverage, consolidating group benefits coverage, wellness, disability, retirement and wealth solutions, and HR support to help organizations attract and retain talent and improve employee well-being. This is especially important for industries like tourism and hospitality, where seasonal labour dynamics and employee experience can directly impact performance.
With more than 110 offices across Canada and over 2700 employees, People Corporation combines local service with national scale. Supporting more than 35,000 clients and over 3.5 million plan members, the organization is a leading provider of group benefits, health and wellness, disability management, wealth, and HR solutions across Canada.

General Manager, Bayview Wildwood Resort
Jason Stanton
Jason Stanton is the General Manager of Bayview Wildwood Resort, a historic lakeside destination located on Sparrow Lake in Severn Bridge, Ontario. A sixth-generation member of the Stanton family to work at Bayview Wildwood, Jason brings a lifetime of experience and passion for the future of the resort industry.

President, Group Solutions at People Corporation
Colleen Baker
Joining Marcelo onsite at the summit will be Colleen Baker, Partner and Vice-President, National Enterprise, and Aimee Anger, Vice-President, National Enterprise. In their roles, they work closely with organizations across Canada to design and deliver tailored benefits strategies that enhance the member experience and support workforce engagement. They will be available throughout the summit to connect and discuss how our work in the hospitality sector aligns with the unique challenges and priorities of resort operators. For those who would like to connect in advance of the event, you’re welcome to reach out to colleen.baker@peoplecorporation.com.

CEO, Talent Employment Inc.
Anthony Mazzaferro
Anthony’s career began on the front lines of hotels and event venues, where he learned that exceptional service depends on exceptional people. At 21, he identified a critical industry talent gap and founded Talent Employment. Today, as Director, he has established the firm as Canada's leading hospitality staffing partner for major hotel brands, with active plans for U.S. expansion.
A lifelong learner, Anthony holds credentials from George Brown College and the prestigious EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland. Over his 25-year career, he has balanced business growth with community impact, partnering with numerous non-profits. For Anthony, true success is defined by a people-driven culture that prioritizes long-term relationships and community strength.

Side Stage Adventures
Looking to add a little extra adventure to your legendary Season Summit event? Check out this small selection of what 100 Kellogg Lane, Canada's largest entertainment complex has to offer mere seconds away from the Hard Rock Hotel!
THE FACTORY
Zip-lines, trampoline park, ultimate warrior course, arcade, virtual reality and more!
POWERHOUSE
Powerhouse Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewer like no other!
BEER KITCHEN
Beer straight from the tank! Enjoy this unique spin on a traditional German beer garden.
THE CLUB HOUSE
State-of-the-art indoor sport, dining and lounge experience set in the great outdoors.
PARADIGM SPIRITS
Enjoy intriguing spirits for sophisticated imbibers in this boutique distillery.
GENERAL STORE
Locally-made snacks and tons of fun knick knacks to bring home.


The 2026Venue
The Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario is Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel, which held its grand opening in April 2025. Located within the historic 100 Kellogg Lane complex, formerly a cereal factory, the hotel features 164 music-themed guest rooms and a vast collection of memorabilia from Canadian and international icons.


