The future of work is on everyone’s agenda. This event brings thought leaders together to share cutting edge ideas on the future, from both a people and technology perspective.
It will allow an understanding of the key drivers of change and enablers of innovation that will shape how, where and when work takes place. Our conference programme will explore future technologies, cutting edge award-winning workplaces and people, change and engagement within the workplace community.
Toronto’s banks and government agencies are forcing a five-day return-to-office (RTO), disrupting hybrid work strategies and creating challenges for portfolio optimization and space utilization. Evidence from other markets shows attendance rarely matches policy, with hybrid work persisting as the long-term employee preference.
Decades of digital transformation have fundamentally reshaped the way we work. The twentieth-century concept of the office as the business epicenter is making way for workplaces as hubs for networked, hybrid collaboration. Physical offices are becoming intelligent environments, with sensors capturing real-time data on occupancy, utilization and flow.
Dragging people back to static offices won’t rebuild trust or increase productivity. How can we rethink and design workplaces into dynamic, human-centered environments, tailored to purpose and diversity, where space becomes a strategic asset delivering measurable ROI in health, engagement, retention and collaboration?
CIBC will share how it redefined workplace experience, focusing on how employee consultation, data-driven insights and continuous evolution informed strategic decisions. Key topics include measuring workplace effectiveness, the impact of co-creation with employees and the vital role of the workplace as a key enabler in shaping and sustaining organizational culture. Insights include the integrated scorecard methodology, the strategic value of enterprise real estate and continuing to iterate for the future needs of a diverse workforce.
The latest return-to-office mandates in Toronto are challenging organizations to rethink hybrid work, policies and the use of physical space. This opening panel will examine the impact on workplace strategy and governance, the maturity of workplace models and the role of well-designed frameworks in aligning real estate, technology, operational and people strategies to guide complex decision-making in today’s hybrid and decentralized environments. Have we reached a level of consistency across organizations, or are we still debating and testing new models?
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative is reimagining the suburban office as a vibrant destination designed for flexibility, connection and productivity, through a people-first lens. Anchored by their commitment to community and collaboration, Gay Lea Foods has embraced a forward-thinking approach to workplace design—one that reflects their co-operative values and positions them as a leader in workplace innovation.
As organisations mandate a return to work, employees face offices that often lag behind changing needs. The workplace must now align with organizational purpose, talent attraction, and community connection. Every organization is different, requiring a tailored approach. Gensler’s Sarah Taylor and Annie Bergeron will showcase the Warner Music project in Toronto—a 24-hour beacon of the entertainment industry designed for both work and play—while exploring how employee expectations have evolved and what the future holds.
Discover how to create a digital workplace that empowers your employees and boosts productivity. This presentation covers the evolution of digital workplaces, the adoption of collaboration tools and the challenges faced in building an effective digital environment.
Learn about the latest trends, popular platforms and their impact on employee engagement. Gain actionable insights on prioritizing user-friendly tools, investing in continuous training and fostering a culture of open communication and flexibility. Don't miss out on transforming your workplace for the future!
If we are bringing people back to the office, what do we want that physical space to be? How do we encourage the moments that make in-person work so valuable, while moving beyond the entrenched positions of 'always remote' vs. “'back-to-office'?
For Rakuten Kobo, this meant reimagining its headquarters to balance the comfort of home with the connections that foster collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas. CEO Michael Tamblyn will share the processes, choices, lessons and solutions that shaped this transformation.
One man. One office. Infinite small disasters. Until the right tech decides to give him a break.
In the ongoing debate over remote, hybrid, and office mandates, one truth is clear: lifeless workplaces will not rebuild trust, culture, or performance. Mette Johansen Keating challenges the notion that physical presence alone drives results, revealing why mandates often fall short. Drawing on research, case studies, and her iThrive® methodology, she demonstrates how aligning space with organisational strategy delivers ROI in health, engagement, and productivity. Attendees will gain sharper insight into when space is a true strategic asset—or just a mandate.
Workplace leaders will play a key role in preparing their data, teams, and systems for AI. This fast-paced session will outline how to identify the right workplace use cases for AI and how you can better prepare your teams and broader organization to infuse AI throughout your workplace strategies.
Explore how top teams are using AI to save time, increase utilization, boost productivity, and optimize real estate portfolios at scale and learn why human-centered leaders will be key in the AI-powered built environment of the future.
As the fourth industrial revolution unfolds, many organisations remain tied to outdated productivity models rooted in the past. This session challenges leaders to rethink sustainable human performance in an AI-augmented workplace. How can ambitious AI strategies succeed when employees face burnout and “busy work”? Is a four-day week an inevitability or a distant vision? Explore whether technology can deliver a more effective, balanced future of work—one where work fuels life rather than consumes it.
As hybrid work reshapes the corporate landscape, organizations face a critical question: how do you create workplaces that accommodate distributed teams and actively draw people back to the office? TD Terrace provides a compelling answer through its distinctive vertical campus approach, transforming 35 floors into interconnected neighbourhoods that prioritize human connection over traditional efficiency models.
We'll explore the design decisions that enabled TD to create a workplace ecosystem where equity, connectivity and cultural renewal translate into live daily experiences for employees.
In an era where technology defines how we connect, design defines how we feel. This conversation between Logitech’s Bart Black and Steelcase’s Mara Payne explores how intentional design and workplace technology together create environments that foster true collaboration and belonging. Drawing on decades of combined expertise, they’ll share how organizations can craft spaces that not only enable productivity but also elevate the human experience—turning every interaction into an opportunity to connect, engage, and perform at their best.
People love beautiful workplaces—but that doesn’t mean they’ll use them as intended. Change leaders from Sun Life and PwC have spent years exploring why employees favour some spaces while avoiding others. Drawing on recent pilots and post-move experiences, they reveal what happens when design intent meets human reality. Expect practical insights into the real drivers of workplace behaviour change—and what support people need to embrace and sustain new ways of working. Moderated by Zoe Chen, Director of Consulting Practices NA, Global Practice Development Lead, Veldhoen + Company.
