Speakers & Entertainment

Bill Carr – Broker Day Speaker

Thursday, September 25, 2008 – Fairmont St. John's

Award Winning Humourist

Bill Carr is a humourist and an award-winning writer, stage actor and journalist. Born in Atlantic Canada, he travels throughout North America and is famous with convention audiences for his offbeat characters and custom-tailored performances. Bill’s insightful perspective on the world takes aim at politics, people, business, sport and systems, as well as the mundane absurdities of life that often go unnoticed. He leaves nothing unscathed and prides himself on being a slave to all, but mastered by none.

Through consultations with meeting organizers, Bill will create a character who will best fit with each client’s particular needs. It could be “The Right Rev. User Page”, a zany evangelist of the Gospel of Free Enterprise, or it could be “Orville”, the world-wise janitor whose facts aren’t always straight but whose warped perspective adds insight to any gathering.

Bill Carr also delivers keynotes and workshops on how we need to lighten up and allow ourselves to dream, grow and become productive and adventurous again by putting laughter, humour and creativity back into our lives.

 

Brian Buffini – Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker

Friday, September 26, 2008 – St. John’s Convention Centre

Brian Buffini was born and raised in Ireland.  He immigrated to the United States and entered the real estate industry in San Diego.  Rather than follow traditional lead-generation methods, however, Brian instead developed a sophisticated framework to grow his business – 100% by referral.

The ability to generate a predictable supply of high quality, referred leads meant tat his time and money were not spent on advertising or prospecting.  Instead, he devoted himself to providing his best clients with first-class service.  Brian soon became one of the top Realtors in America.

In 1995 he founded Buffini & Company to share his powerful systems with others.  Headquartered in San Diego, California, Buffini & Company is now the number one real estate training and coaching company in North America.

Thanks to his unique and highly effective lead-generation system and comprehensive coaching and training program, hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs have learned how to improve their business, increase net profit and enhance the quality of their lives.

Success is usually measured by comparing ourselves to other people.  My true goal s significance, which is when we compare ourselves with the gifts that God has given us and our own potential. ~  Brian Buffini

 

Leonard Brody –Afternoon Speaker

Friday, September 26, 2008 – St. John’s Convention Centre

Best-selling Author & Business Visionary

Leonard Brody is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist and best-selling author. He has helped in raising millions of dollars for start-up companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history and has been involved in the building, financing and/or sale of five companies to date.

Much critical acclaim has followed him in his endeavours. At Onvia Canada (where he was part of the initial executive) the company was voted Canada’s number one start-up in 2000 and subsequently closed a $240 Million IPO on NASDAQ.

Currently, Brody is Co-Founder and CEO of NowPublic which is one of the pioneers in citizen generated news and quickly becoming one of the largest news agencies in the world with over 100,000 contributing reporters in 140 countries & 3,600 cities. In the last 12 months, The Guardian in London ranked NowPublic as one of top 5 news sites in the world and Time Magazine named it as of the top 50 websites of the year.

Brody is also a Venture Partner at Growthworks Capital, one of Canada’s largest national technology funds, and acts as an advisor to venture capital funds in the US, Europe and Asia. He is also an advisor to several organizations including the Associated Press, Red Herring, Sonic Foundry and the Canadian Ministry of International Trade, and a Director of Canada’s largest technology association, CATA.

A highly sought-after public speaker, Brody has lectured at universities and spoken at conferences throughout the world.  He is co-author of the best-selling books, Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Jurassic Park to Java and Everything I Needed to Know About Business...I Learned from a Canadian both published by John Wiley and Sons.

Brody holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Queens University, a law degree from

Osgoode Hall and is a graduate of the Private Equity Course at the Harvard Business School.

 

Patricia Lovett-Reid – Closing Speaker

Saturday, September 27, 2008 – St. John’s Convention Centre

Patricia Lovett-Reid

Senior Vice President, TD Waterhouse Canada

Patricia Lovett-Reid is one of Canada's leading and repsected authorities on personal finance. Patricia is a regular market commentator for Business News Network, Canada AM, CTV NEWSNET and CP24.  Patricia is the host of MoneyTalk, a national prime-time television program on personal finance, airing every Monday at 8:00 pm (ET) on Business News Network

A sought-after speaker and commentator on wealth management, she also co-authored the national best selling books Live Well, Retire Well: Strategies for a Rich Life and a Richer Retirement and Retirement Strategies for Women.  Other publications include Surpirse! You’re Wealthy: A Woman’s Guide to Protecting Her Wealth, as well as Take Charge Now: A Women’s Guide to Personal and Family Finance.  In January 2008, Patricia released her 6th book entitled Get Real: 26 Canadian Women Share the Secret to Authentic Success.

A sought-after speaker and commentator on wealth management, Lovett-Reid gives her audiences expert analysis and advice about money, investment strategies and financial planning. 

For her commitment in educating the public on personal finance matters,.  Patricia has been recognized with the 2007 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category, as well The Women's Post has named her as one of Canada's Top 25 Women to Watch on their 2008 Women of the Year list.

In addition, she has taken the role of Trusted Wealth Advisor, with Indigo Chapters, which includes reviewing financial publications and making book recommendations.

Patricia holds the designation of Certified Financial Planner and is an Honorary Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute