Agenda

Pre-approved by Mortgage Professionals Canada for 4 CE Units in the Professional Development category for the year 2026.

9:00 AM PDT
Expo hall opens

 

9:30 AM PDT
Welcome and opening remarks from chairperson

 

Rebecca Casey
President, Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association - British Columbia (CMBA-BC)
9:45 – 10:25 AM PDT
Panel: Western Canada reality check - markets, appraisals & economic certainty 

Gain a sharper understanding of what’s driving Western Canada’s market in the coming year as industry leaders break down evolving trends across the Lower Mainland, greater BC and Alberta markets. Hear candid insights on appraisal pressure, valuation uncertainty, and the economic developments shaping lender and broker confidence in 2026. 

  • Explore unique market conditions in BC and Alberta — from valuation pressures to affordability trends
  • Manage appraisal volatility and shifting valuation expectations
  • Review economic developments shaping financing and long-term lending confidence
  • Aligning prime, alternative, and other lending strategies with current market trends
Trevor Koot
CEO, British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA)
Moderator
Imran Thaver
Director, National Sales & Marketing, National Bank Optimum Mortgage
Tanya Woods
Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs & Policy Counsel, Questrade Financial Group
Kristina Morrison
Director, Regional Sales - British Columbia, First National Financial
10:30 – 11:10 AM PDT
Panel: Tech is reshaping the mortgage industry - Staying competitive in the next era of automation

Technology adoption is no longer optional—it defines which brokerages grow and which ones fall behind. This strategic discussion explores how AI, automation, and workflow technology are reshaping competitive advantage. Leaders and brokers will learn how to prioritize the right tools, avoid common decision-making traps, and build a strategic roadmap that strengthens operational performance in 2026 and beyond. 

  • Explore high-impact AI use cases lenders and brokerages are scaling now
  • Choosing the right tech that drives speed, accuracy & client trust 
  • How to create a competitive roadmap for your 2026 technology plan
  • Q&A: bring your toughest tech questions to the panel 
Rebecca Casey
President, Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association - British Columbia (CMBA-BC)
Moderator
Dan MacDonald
Co-Founder and CEO, Ownwell
Lucy Mulvaney
VP of Product, Lendesk Technologies
Ryan Spence
Principal, Broker Channel Development, Filogix
Jared Stanley
Senior Director of Originations, Neighbourhood Holdings
11:15 – 11:45 AM PDT
Growing Your Business Starts Here: Mastering the 55+ Opportunity

A practical, insight-driven presentation designed to help mortgage brokers unlock growth by better serving Canada’s fastest-growing and most financially powerful demographic. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to shift perceptions, confidently position reverse mortgages, and build trusted, long-term relationships with clients aged 55+.

  • Why the 55+ market matters: Key statistics and trends shaping Canada’s fastest-growing demographic—and what it means for your business.
  • How to reframe reverse mortgages: Practical guidance on positioning the solution to address client needs, goals, and misconceptions.
  • Real-world use cases: Clear financial illustrations showing how reverse mortgages work and when they can be an effective planning tool.
Rene Quercia
SVP, Broker Channel, HomeEquity Bank
11:45 – 12:15 PM PDT
Networking break with sponsors & exhibitors 
12:20 – 12:55 PDT
Panel: Private & MIC lending - Risk, returns & real-world case studies

Private and MIC deals are becoming essential tools, but they also come with increased scrutiny and complexity. This panel dives into real lending scenarios to help brokers navigate suitability, manage expectations, and structure resilient deals in a tighter regulatory environment. 

  • Identifying when private/MIC lending is suitable—or unsuitable 
  • Understanding lender expectations for documentation & borrower profiles
  • Explore case studies highlighting pitfalls, red flags & successful structures 
Erica Ma
Area Vice President, TMG - The Mortgage Group
Moderator
Norman Holmes
Vice President / Managing Director, Drake Financial Ltd.
Jake Bannister
Regional Sales Manager, British Columbia and Alberta, Glasslake Funding
1:00 – 1:30 PM PDT
From Broker to Authority: Building Trust-Based Influence in a Regulated Market

Many mortgage professionals are active online, yet see little impact on trust, referrals, or inbound opportunity. This session breaks down why posting more content doesn’t automatically create influence—especially in a regulated industry where credibility matters more than visibility. It will outline how top professionals position themselves as trusted authorities in their networks, using influence as a business asset rather than a marketing tactic. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how trust is built online and how influence translates into real-world business conversations.

  • Why visibility alone fails to create trust in financial services
  • How regulated professionals build authority without hype or compliance risk
  • The difference between content that entertains and content that influences decisions
  • How influence functions as a long-term business asset, not a social media tactic
Joe White
President and CEO, Real Estate Institute of Canada Inc (REMIC)
1:35 – 2:15 PM PDT
Panel: Leading Through Change: Brokerage Leaders on the Future of the Mortgage Industry

In this forward-looking panel, leading mortgage brokerage executives share how they’re navigating market uncertainty, regulatory complexity, renewals at scale, margin pressure, and shifting client expectations — all while positioning their firms for long-term growth. Learn how they’re supporting their teams, strengthening lender partnerships, sharpening their value proposition beyond rate, and making strategic decisions that will shape the future of their businesses and the industry in 2026 and beyond.

  • How brokerage leaders are responding to today’s biggest industry challenges
  • The strategic shifts firms are making to stay competitive and profitable
  • Practical advice for brokers who want to grow, lead, and prepare for the next market cycle
Fergal McAlinden
Managing Editor - North America Mortgage, Key Media
Moderator
Paul Therien
CEO & Founder, Haystax Mortgage
Dean Larson
CEO, Tango Financial Corporation
Anthony Contento
CEO & Founder, Sherwood Mortgage Group
2:20 – 3:00 PM PDT
Panel: Alt lending deep dive - Structuring non-traditional deals

Alt lending is expanding fast, and deal success depends heavily on packaging, suitability, and communication. In this hands-on session, experts walk through real case files, giving brokers inside perspective that dramatically increases approval odds and improves client outcomes. 

  • How alt lenders evaluate risk factors across income and credit profiles 
  • Scenario walkthroughs: self-employed, bruised credit and unique borrowers 
  • Importance of documenting suitability to protect both client and broker relationships 
Rebecca Casey
President, Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association
Moderator
Grant Armstrong
Chief Growth Officer, WealthONE Bank of Canada
Susan Thomas
Vice-President, National Sales, Haventree Bank
Ryan White
Regional Sales Director, MCAN Financial
Michael Wolfe
Vice President, Residential Credit, EQ Bank
3:00 – 3:05 PM PDT
Passport Contest
3:05 – 3:15 PM PDT
Closing remarks from the chairperson 
Rebecca Casey
President, Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association - British Columbia (CMBA-BC)
3:15 PM EDT
Extra time in the expo hall