Forums and Summits
May 27, 2025
Rencontre au sommet 2025
Next edition
May 27, 2025, 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Good to know
An initiative of BCF Business Law and Aviseo Conseil, in partnership with Desjardins Entreprises
Location
Le Bungalow 1751 Richardson Street Montréal, QC H3K 1G6Rencontre au sommet 2025: Mobilizing Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders for Québec’s Economic Future
On May 27, 2025, BCF Business Law and Aviseo Conseil, in partnership with Desjardins Entreprises, held the first edition of Rencontre au sommet at the Bungalow in Montréal.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, public decision-makers, students and researchers around a shared objective: to collectively reflect on today’s major economic challenges and identify concrete paths forward.
An Event Designed to Move from Insight to Action
From the outset, Rencontre au sommet was conceived as more than a forum for discussion. Its purpose was clear: to create a space where ideas take shape and conversations lead to tangible initiatives.
In a context defined by rapid technological and economic change, the event fostered the exchange of diverse perspectives and encouraged a collective approach to the challenges facing organizations.
A Dynamic Format That Encouraged Meaningful Exchanges
The program was designed to promote active participation and interaction among attendees. Throughout the day, participants took part in:
- conferences offering insights into key economic and organizational trends
- focused discussion groups enabling deeper conversations
- ideation sessions dedicated to collective problem-solving
- networking opportunities to strengthen business relationships
This format created an environment conducive to collaboration and to the development of practical, actionable solutions.
Three Key Themes at the Core of the Discussions
Rencontre au sommet was structured around three main pillars that guided conversations throughout the event.
Productivity
Discussions focused on improving business performance, particularly in relation to workforce challenges, operational efficiency and evolving skill requirements.
Innovation
Participants explored innovation dynamics, research and development strategies, and the role of ecosystems in driving value creation and competitiveness.
Resilience
Conversations also addressed how organizations can adapt to change, strengthen governance practices and integrate sustainable approaches into their growth strategies.
A Collective Reflection Focused on the Future
By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, Rencontre au sommet initiated a meaningful dialogue on Québec’s economic future.
The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and structured action to address current challenges.
This first edition lays the groundwork for a growing initiative, with a clear ambition: to support entrepreneurs and business leaders in their decision-making and to actively contribute to Québec’s economic vitality.
Program
Artistic performance
Artistic performance
8:45 a.m.
Slam performance by artist and performer, Antoine Leclerc
Resilience and Outlook: Quebec Entrepreneurship at the Heart of the Economy
Resilience and Outlook: Quebec Entrepreneurship at the Heart of the Economy
9:10 a.m.
Economic Challenges
Hosted by Marie-Pier Frappier, this panel brings together Pierre Cléroux, Norma Kozhaya, Catryn Pinard, and René Beaudry to discuss the challenges and levers of entrepreneurial resilience in Quebec.
Panelists
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René Beaudry, Co-founder, Normandin Beaudry
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Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist, BDC
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Norma Kozhaya, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist, Conseil du patronat du Québec
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Catryn Pinard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nationex
Moderator
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Marie-Pier Frappier, Acting Editor-in-Chief, Les Affaires
Innovate or Perish
Innovate or Perish
10:45 p.m.
Philippe Boulanger, International Speaker, former innovation leader at Apple and Sony, founder of Neopost Labs, specialist in innovation intelligence and enterprise AI adoption
“The Innovation Evangelist”
In his keynote, Philippe Boulanger explores the human and organizational mechanisms that enable resilience and growth in a volatile, geopolitically uncertain world. Through carefully selected use cases addressing ever-evolving challenges, he expands the realm of what’s possible.
Anticipation, forecasting, or reaction—the principles of the Intelligence Innovation System® are at work to uncover foundational solutions or smart workarounds. Opening the field of possibilities begins with a few fundamental questions.
How and why does a long-standing ease of cross-border transactions become a vulnerability? How do some companies continue to withstand turbulence? What simple ingredients make innovation a true “magic potion”? A hallmark of Philippe’s talks is his use of live audience experiments to spark essential awareness of the mechanisms and cognitive biases that unlock innovation, transformation, agility, and velocity within organizations.
“In the Spotlight” Workshop
“In the Spotlight” Workshop
11:35 a.m.
Dialogue Cell
A facilitated discussion space designed to identify priority issues and share potential solutions.
Facilitators
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Marie-Pier Frappier, Acting Editor-in-Chief, Les Affaires
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François Rousseau-Clair, Founding Partner, Aviseo Conseil
How Not to Lose Your Head in the Age of Paradoxes?
How Not to Lose Your Head in the Age of Paradoxes?
1:30 p.m.
We are living through a series of social, environmental, political, and economic upheavals that generate paradoxes capable of making us dizzy. We must diversify our markets while renewing our privileged partnerships. We must adopt artificial intelligence while humanizing our organizations. We must reduce our environmental footprint while better developing the resources beneath our feet. For all these challenges, we must act quickly, yet the required changes will take time. How can we avoid losing our bearings in the age of paradoxes?
We will see how Quebec—with its blend of optimistic ambition, benevolent boldness, and diverse expertise—is in fact better equipped than others to navigate these paradoxes, making a case for measured optimism. By rethinking our approach to talent development and the role of innovation in our practices, we will outline how Quebec can build the future rather than merely endure it.
Frédéric Bouchard, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal
What Are Our Paths Forward and Commitments?
What Are Our Paths Forward and Commitments?
1:55 p.m.
Dialogue Cell
A collaborative workshop designed to formulate concrete commitments and collective recommendations for the future of Quebec’s economy.
Ambition and Exceptionalism: Quebec in Motion
Ambition and Exceptionalism: Quebec in Motion
3:30 p.m.
We will engage in a discussion with leaders from three flagship organizations, recognized for their ambition and exceptionalism, that have successfully innovated over the years and established themselves as inspiring models in Quebec.
Inspiration Panel
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Stéphane Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Micrologic
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Christiane Germain, Co-President, Germain Hôtels
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André Noreau, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Premier Tech
Moderator
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Véronique Proulx, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Closing Remarks and networking event
Closing Remarks and networking event
4:35 p.m.
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François Rousseau-Clair, Founding Partner, Aviseo Conseil
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Julie Doré, Managing Partner, Lawyer, BCF Avocats d'affaires
