THE CIO SUMMIT® 2008
Transformation Choices and Challenges
IT’s Role in Making a Difference

Toronto, Ontario

THE CIO SUMMIT is Canada’s longest-running event dedicated exclusively to the needs and interests of CIOs and the executive IT community. It is a thought-leadership event, attracting senior-level attendees who are keen to listen, question and learn from recognized authorities in the area of organizational transformation. Our research shows they also expect to exchange ideas and knowledge with their peers and colleagues, resulting in a rich networking experience.

THE CIO SUMMIT® 2008 Themes
Successful organizations thrive because of their ability to respond to change. In some cases, this response is no more than a fine-tuning of existing processes and platforms. But in other instances, it requires a complete and dramatic rethinking of their approach and organizational infrastructures. This dilemma has severely challenged many organizations and may mean the difference between survival and breakdown. The choices come down to this: when to change, what to change and, perhaps most importantly, why to change.

Transformation comes in many flavours and sizes. What are the key success factors? How can the technology platform, coupled with process management, make a difference? What are the lessons learned and the common opportunities that can help organizations find their way as they evolve? These are the questions that will form the basis of the 2008 edition of THE CIO SUMMIT.

Sponsorship opportunities
In anticipation of our exciting new conference structure and programs, we are now accepting sponsorship inquiries. More than ever, THE CIO SUMMIT will provide an unparalleled opportunity for corporate sponsors to communicate directly with Canada’s pre-eminent IT practitioners. For information about available sponsorship opportunities or to inquire about attending THE CIO SUMMIT 2008, please contact Barry Clavir, Executive Director of THE CIO SUMMIT.

IT Executive Leadership Program
The IT Executive Leadership Program is an exceptional collaboration between THE CIO SUMMIT®, which for more than 10 years has been Canada’s leader in IT executive development, and Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management in Toronto, Ontario. The program is an innovative university-level program aimed at preparing today’s information technology managers for the challenges they will face as they reach the senior management level in their organizations. It is comprised of three four-day modules.

Participants will gain a better understanding of the role of the CIO, the business-critical manager who today must deal with the triad of information, business process and systems. They will also learn how to cope with the politics of being a member of the senior executive team, to act with agility in decision making, to identify the business drivers of IT support, to mitigate risk factors, to analyze key metrics for the return on investment and to understand the legal and contractual issues of outsourcing. Inspired by faculty members with years of industry experience, participants are encouraged to share best practices and develop executive strategies and ideas that will carry them into the future.

More information on each of the programs.

Since the first program began in November 2003, the IT Executive Leadership Program has known nothing but success. This is what past participants in the program are saying:

Testimonials from IT Leadership Development Program alumni

“The IT Executive Leadership Program is an excellent opportunity to learn from well-established, senior IT leaders whose insight, knowledge and experience really help put today’s IT challenges in perspective. And they offer both practical and theoretical solutions to meet those challenges. The program is also a great opportunity to network with fellow IT professionals and to share best practices with each other. I found the format, with three four-day sessions over six months, provided the right pace in an ideal setting for a program of this nature. Each session delivered valuable material that I was able to bring back and put into practice right away.”
— Rick Coutts, Manager, IS Project Management Office, TransCanada PipeLine Limited

“This executive program delivers a practical, hands-on approach to the imperatives IT leaders must focus on to be successful. Today, IT leaders must be engaged in the business and ensure the value IT brings to the table is achieving tangible business results. The program raises a lot of thought-provoking questions and brings excellent perspective to the table through real, experienced, world-class leaders. I recommend this program to all IT management who are willing to think outside the box and who desire to take on the challenging task of leading their businesses into the future.”
— Andrew Dillane, Chief Information Officer, CNC Global Limited

“The experience and opportunity for networking in groups and individually was priceless. I went to be challenged, to think out of the box, to find the abstract and I found it. The speakers were all experts in their fields, approachable and highly engaging. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who aspires to leadership in the IT world.”
— Chris Jamieson, Director, IT Support, The Globe and Mail

“The calibre of industry experts providing direct expertise and analysis set this learning experience apart from other leadership courses. With a focus on application of knowledge and skills learned in a practical setting and with ‘real-life’ scenarios and case studies, the insights I gained are ones from which I have been able to draw consistently. Having the opportunity of informal networking over lunch with Keith Powell or Peter Keen is worth the enrolment fee in itself.”
— Samantha Liscio, Manager, IPMO, Office of the Corporate Chief, Service Delivery, Management Board Secretariat

“The program directly targets the issues that I face on a daily basis as a senior IT manager within a Canadian organization. The high quality of guest speakers and the fact that all the participants were IT peers ensured that discussion was relevant and topical. Another plus is that the program’s association with THE CIO SUMMIT® will ensure I have the ability to actively continue the relationships made during the course.”
— Cam Quinn, Director, Business Systems North America, InBev/Labatt Breweries