CPAC Inaugural InnoVision Summit Inspires GTA Professionals

2019-10-02
Around 200 professionals and students across GTA attended 2019 CPAC InnoVision Summit

InnoVision 2019, CPAC’s inaugural innovation-themed summit, attracted around 200 professionals, students and tech-enthusiasts to the event. Attendees were excited to explore the latest trends in science and technology, discover business and professional opportunities, and network with experts and tech entrepreneurs. The event took place on September 29, 2019 at the Novotel Toronto North York Hotel.

The InnoVision Summit featured insightful presentations and panel discussions on the latest trends and applications in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IoT, Blockchain, AI, and FinTech. Thought leaders from IBM, U.CASH, fazeZERO, Skrumble Technologies, Element AI, SalesChoice, Knockri, University of Toronto and Western University shared their cutting-edge insights.

The summit started with an overview on Industry 4.0 presented by Professor Ahmad Barari from University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Dr. Barari addressed the principles of Industry 4.0 and its digitization requirements including the Cyber-Physical components, Digital Twins, IofT, Data Analytics, FinTech & Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and the Hybrid Manufacturing systems.

Speakers in the Blockchain session included Dr. Miriam Capretz, Associate Dean and Professor from Western University, Brian Phan, CEO & Co-founder of U.CASH, Nasser Rahal, Founder and CEO of fazeZERO, and, Eric Lifson, Co-founder of Skrumble. Speakers in the AI session included Niki Liu, AI Advisory and Enablement, Element AI, Dr. Cindy Gordon, Founder and CEO of SalesChoice, Dr. Kang Lee, Professor at the University of Toronto, and Faisal Ahmed, CTO of Knockri. The summit concluded with a presentation on FinTech from Serena Chan, Partner, Financial Services sector, IBM Global Business Services.

During the Q&A and networking sessions, attendees communicated, networked and mingled with the speakers and peers. One attendee reported, “This experience is amazing. The presentations are informative and illuminating. I now have a clearer vision of the future of my industry. I feel inspired and empowered.”

CPA Ontario, a long-time supporter of CPAC’s initiatives, was the Vision Sponsor of the 2019 CPAC InnoVision Summit.

2019 InnoVision Summit Photo Gallery:

An appreciation plaque was presented to the InnoVision Summit speaker, Professor Ahmad Barari University of Ontario Institute of Technology (right), by Ti Wang, CPAC Executive Vice President (left).
InnoVision Summit speaker, Dr. Miriam Capretz, Associate Dean and Professor from Western University
InnoVision Summit speaker, Brian Phan, Co-Founder and CEO of U.CASH
InnoVision Summit speaker, Nasser Rahal, Founder and CEO of fazeZERO
InnoVision Summit speaker, Eric Lifson, Co-Founder and President of Skrumble Technologies
InnoVision Summit speaker, Niki Liu, Lead Strategist with the Advisory and Enablement team at Element AI
InnoVision Summit speaker, Dr. Cindy Gordon, Founder and CEO of SalesChoice
InnoVision Summit speaker, Dr. Kang Lee, Professor, and Tier 1 CRC Chair in developmental neuroscience at the University of Toronto
InnoVision Summit speaker, Faisal Ahmed, the CTO and Co-founder of Knockri, and a leader in AI and Algorithmic Fairness
InnoVision Summit speaker, Serena Chan, a Partner in IBM’s Financial Services sector in IBM Global Business Services in Canada
Audience communicated with the speakers during Q&A.
Lucky draw picked by Carmen Jacques, the representative of CPA Ontario, the Vision sponsor of 2019 InnoVision Summit (right) and Andi Shi, CPAC Executive Director (left)