MEMBERS IN FOCUS
CPABC Fall Leadership Conference
A
mix of traditional and new media took centre stage at the CPABC Fall Leadership
Conference in Victoria. The Globe and Mail’s chief political correspondent John Ibbitson
and Twitter Canada managing director Kirstine Stewart delivered thought-provoking
keynote presentations to help kick off a three-day member summit that attracted more than
600 CPAs from across the province.
Speaking about the demographic changes transforming Canada, Ibbitson said the country is
in the midst of a seismic change—becoming more Asian and less European, more Pacific and
less Atlantic.
“The West will increasingly become the centre,” said Ibbitson. “Cities are growing in size and
power, while rural and regional interests will further wane.”
Leadership was the topic of the opening day’s second keynote presentation. Stewart, who was
the focus of the cover story in CPA Magazine’s premier issue, explained that the old ideas of
hierarchy in business are quickly becoming outmoded.
“Instead of a pyramid, the power structure of most innovative companies looks much more
like a plateau,” she said.
Stewart also stressed the need for a new kind of leader in the modern workplace—one who
values partnership, collaboration, and empathy.
The Conference also included a national unification update from the president and CEO of
CPA Canada, Kevin Dancey, FCPA, FCA. CPABC President & CEO Richard Rees, CPA, FCA,
was also on hand, moderating a panel discussion with the chairs/president of the three unifying
bodies in BC. CMABC Chair Simon Philp,
CPA, FCMA, emphasized the need for stronger
member engagement, describing it as key to
CPABC’s success going forward.
“I want to see us develop our own CPA
traditions—through convocation, member
recognition events, and chapters,” said Philp.
“I’m excited about how this conference can
serve as a springboard to greater integration
and how it can help to build the foundation
of those traditions.”
The Conference also offered a diverse roster of professional development sessions,
Cindy Choi, CPA, FCGA, takes a selfie with Twitter Canada’s Kirstine
Stewart.
Western Canada’s largest trade show for accounting professionals, and a host of social
networking events. For more information
about the Conference, please visit bccpa.ca.
Political correspondent John Ibbitson during the first keynote address.
“The fact that you are taking the lead on unification, on developing
common standards, is very impressive.”
“The town square is now global,” said Kirstine Stewart, managing
director of Twitter Canada, speaking about our increasingly
interconnected and integrated world.
CPABC President and CEO Kevin Dancey, FCPA, FCA, presented
highlights from the new CPA brand campaign.
Photos by Ron Sangha Productions. For more
Conference photos, visit CPABC’s Flickr page at
flickr.com/cpabc/sets.
Western Canada’s largest trade show for
accounting professionals attracted more than
27 exhibitors who showcased the latest
products and services for accountants.
CPABC in Focus • Nov/Dec 2014 43