Special Events

Provincial Championship Bonspiel

Thursday, November 3, 2:30-7 p.m.

48 PLAYERS. 12 TEAMS. 1 VICTORY.
WHICH HOUSING TEAM WILL RULE THEM ALL?

Coming to Niagara Falls early? Looking for something to do? Join us for ONPHA’s first annual Provincial Championship Bonspiel for curlers both new and experienced. Show off your skills (or lack thereof) in a fun, friendly curling competition!

Cost: $20 + HST per person. Sign-up as a team of four people or as an individual.

Food and drink will be available for purchase at the venue. Transportation will not be provided.

Opening Plenary

Friday, November 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Sponsored by

Welcoming remarks and awards presentation

Kick off this year’s Conference at the Opening Plenary! First, hear an overview of ONPHA’s work from our Board President Meg McCallum, then join us in welcoming the Honourable Peter Milczyn, minister of housing, who will provide delegates with updates from the Province.

Next, join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2017 Kathleen Blinkhorn Aboriginal Student Scholarship and the Award for Excellence. Our scholarship, sponsored by Union Gas, is awarded annually to Aboriginal students living in non-profit housing in Ontario to assist with their post-secondary education. This year, thanks to the generous support of Union Gas, ONPHA is able to present a $1,000 scholarship to 10 students. The Award for Excellence, sponsored by Prentice Yates & Clark, Chartered Professional Accountants, honours a nonprofit housing organization that responds to tenant and/ or community needs with imagination and insight.

Opening Keynote

As our opening keynote, we are excited to welcome David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation. The National Housing Federation is the voice of housing associations in England. They believe that everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford, which is why they represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing. Their members provide two and a half million homes for more than five million people. And each year they invest in a diverse range of neighbourhood projects that help create strong, vibrant communities.

David is also currently the chair of the board of Reall, previously known as Homeless International, and has recently retired from the board of The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC) and as chair of Building Lives. Previously, David has been the president of Housing Europe, the European network for social housing and the chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and of Newlon Housing Trust. In 2010, David was awarded an honorary membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Opening reception

Friday, November 3, 5-7 p.m.

Spend an evening by the Falls and join us for a cocktail reception at Elements on the Falls Restaurant in the Table Rock Centre. No other venue gets you closer to the eighth Wonder of the World!

Catch up and relax with new and old friends while you enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Plus, grab a prime spot to view the night-time illumination of the Falls – you may even spot some ONPHA colours.

Complimentary shuttle service will be offered between the Scotiabank Convention Centre, Table Rock Centre and Conference hotels.

Networking Event

Friday, November 3, 7-9 p.m.

Strike out on your own! Ok, not completely. Join ONPHA staff and your future friends and colleagues for an evening of fun and games. After the Opening Reception we will transfer you from the Table Rock Centre to Strike Rock ‘N’ Bowl. Lace up your shoes, hit the lanes and enjoy a fun and friendly atmosphere while getting to know your peers a little better as we kick off the conference. Cost is $15 + HST per person, which includes one hour of bowling, shoes and a shuttle bus*. Sign up at time of registration. Last shuttle bus from Strike Rock ‘N’ Bowl leaves at 8:30 p.m. to return you back to the hotel. Food and beverage is available for purchase at the venue.

2017 ONPHA Gala

Saturday, November 4, 6:30-9:30 pm

Gala reception | 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Join us for cocktails before the 2017 ONPHA Gala – our night of celebration! Enjoy refreshments with your peers in a fun and relaxed environment.

ONPHA Gala | 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Be our guest! Celebrate the 2017 ONPHA Conference and Trade Show with your peers at the must-attend event of the weekend. This year’s Gala will feature a delicious three-course meal as well as lively entertainment.

Also, join us in toasting the 2017 ONPHA award winners who have made an outstanding contribution to the non-profit housing sector.

Closing Keynote

Sunday, November 5, 10-11 a.m.

In 2017, will you step up to the challenge and “disrupt yourself?” We are excited to welcome business innovator and creativity expert Ron Tite as our 2017 closing keynote. Whether you are a manager or frontline staff, this talk is for you!

Disrupt Yourself!

The world has changed and there has never been more pressure for organizations to change along with it. But if you look over time, you’ll find that no organization has ever changed. No organization has innovated. No organization has grown. No organization has adapted. Because organizations don’t change. People do.

This presentation will feature one-part humour, onepart kick-in-the-butt, one-part information and one-part inspiration. Ron will discuss why the battle for time has changed the organizational dynamic; why it’s not about words but about actions; how anti-establishment behaviour will inspire you to solve problems, be creative, and be innovative; and more!

Ron Tite is the CEO of The Tite Group, a content marketing agency; executive producer and host of the Canadian Comedy award-winning show Monkey Toast; and featured marketing expert on the business reality show Dream Funded.