Shawn Casemore

Build an Unstoppable Sales SM Machine: Proven Methods to Earn Attention, Enhance Relationships, and Close Deals in the New Economy

Your team and their skills must shift to accommodate a new generation of buying behaviors and expectations.

Today’s top-performing sales professionals and sales leaders leverage a new way of selling that outperforms their peers.

In this high-energy presentation, Shawn will show you new ways to fill your pipeline with prospects who are eager to buy and convert those prospects faster than you thought possible.

Move your audience from having mediocre sales to building their very own Unstoppable Sales SM Machine, all in record time.

Kimberly Knull

Rising Strong in Broadcasting: The Power of Resilient Leadership

In an industry where disruption, criticism, and high-stakes decision-making are part of the daily reality, resilience isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a leadership imperative. Inspired by Brené Brown’s Rising Strong, this keynote explores how senior-level broadcasters can navigate setbacks, foster innovation through failure, and lead with authenticity in an evolving media landscape. We’ll discuss the three phases of the Rising Strong process—reckoning, rumbling, and revolution—and how they apply to the challenges of leading in broadcasting today.

Angus Reid

A Playbook for Building a High-Performance Team 

In both sports and business, talent and strategy alone are never enough. What truly separates elite teams from the rest is the culture they build and the habits they reinforce every single day.

As a member of multiple championship-winning teams, Angus Reid has firsthand experience in what it takes—not just to win, but to sustain excellence. In this dynamic and high-energy keynote, Angus will unveil the playbook for building an elite team culture, sharing real-life experiences and actionable insights that drive maximum performance.

Paul Evanov, President and CEO of Evanov Communications Inc.

Panelist

Paul Evanov is President and CEO of Evanov Communications Inc. (ECI), a private independent Canadian radio broadcast company since 1983. 

Diversity in the workplace is a key pillar of good business at ECI, where the core values are Teamwork, Commitment, Innovation, Accountability, Integrity, Belonging. Beyond serving listeners, stations serve their local communities through development of emerging Canadian artists, scholarships and endowments, support and fund-raising for charities. ECI has seats for advocacy and representation in the industry where laws, regulations and policies are set. 

Paul leads the charge in these times of change, adopting new technologies, trends, and business models to propel the company forward as a strong independent broadcaster. 

Bryan Edwards, President of Vista Radio Ltd

Panelist

Bryan Edwards is the President of Vista Radio Ltd., one of Canada’s largest independently owned radio broadcasters. Under his leadership, Vista has grown its footprint across the country, with a strong focus on delivering hyper-local content and supporting community-based journalism. With decades of experience in media and broadcasting, Bryan is known for his strategic vision, industry leadership, and commitment to the future of local radio.

Brett Adnum, President of Golden West Broadcasting

Panelist

Brett Adnum serves as the President of Golden West Broadcasting, where he is responsible for driving the company's strategic direction and overseeing all operations. He brings a wealth of experience in relationship building, client development, and marketing strategy to his leadership role. Before being appointed President in 2024, Brett served as Chief Operating Officer, where he played a key role in shaping the company's growth and expansion. During his tenure, the company grew to 40 radio stations and 20 community news websites, across MB, SK, & AB. 

Brett’s career at Golden West began in 2011, when he joined the sales team in Steinbach, Manitoba.  Brett quickly rose through the ranks in sales, before being named Radio Sales Manager in 2015 and then VP of Sales and Operations in 2018.  

Ward Smith, Senior Vice President, Global News and Corus Audio

Panelist

Ward Smith is the Senior Vice President, Global News and Corus Audio at Corus Entertainment, overseeing all news and audio operations across Canada. This portfolio supports all online, local and national news content, as well as Corus Audio platforms, including radio, and podcasting.

Ward is a champion of change, seeking new ways to produce and distribute news content to different audiences on multiple platforms, while maintaining core business. Ward is invested in ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are boosted across the News and Audio divisions, and is an ongoing advocate protecting journalists from online harassment. 

The recipient of the RTDNA Canada 2023 President’s Award and named a Paul Harris Fellow by the North Scarborough Rotary Club, the rotary’s highest honour for community service, under Ward’s leadership, Global News has won numerous RTDNA and Canadian Screen Awards, including categories such as Best Newscast and Best News Information Program (large market). Ward celebrates his 35th anniversary with Global News in 2025.

Ashish Agrawal

Utilizing AI to Enhance & Monetize Media Archives

Ashish Agrawal, founder and CEO of Eon Media Corp, brings over 19 years of distinguished experience in the B2B, media, and video streaming industries, including pivotal roles in launching OTT services for industry giants such as AT&T, Fox, and Rogers, among others within the telecommunications and entertainment sectors. His expertise lies in merging technical insights with strategic business perspectives, a skill honed by engaging with top-tier industry leaders.

Ashish excels in devising simple solutions for complex issues and under his leadership, Eon Media Corp (Canadian Company) is redefining B2B AI-product development by challenging legacy models & status quo instead leveraging AI technology to introduce innovative methods and elevate industry standards.

Creighton Green

The Future of Media: Turning Audience Data into Growth and Revenue

The media landscape is changing, and audiences expect more personalized experiences than ever. To stay ahead, media companies must take control of their audience data now. In this session, industry leaders will reveal how first-party data is powering deeper engagement, stronger audience loyalty, and new revenue opportunities. Discover the strategies that future-proof media businesses—turning data into a competitive edge, driving sustainable monetization, and ensuring long-term success in an unpredictable digital world.

Caroline Gianias

Radio Connects Update

Caroline is a highly regarded media expert with a wealth of experience in agency, C-Suite, and private consultancy roles. Throughout her accomplished career, Caroline has worked with local and global clients across every major advertising category. Leveraging this deep knowledge, she helps advertisers recognize radio as a powerful and effective medium to achieve their advertising and business goals. Caroline has achieved the Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association and serves as Chair of their Media Council. She is also a member of the Numeris Audio Executive Committee and holds the position of Vice President at the World Radio Alliance

Connor Crain

Building Successful Digital Teams at Traditional Media Companies

Learn how local media companies are successfully increasing revenue through digital solutions. This session will share real-world insights from sales leaders on strategies to prevent cannibalization, effectively incentivize sales teams, and build high-performing sellers. With over a decade of industry experience behind these observations, attendees will leave with practical ideas and fresh perspectives to help accelerate digital growth.

Sylvie Courtemanche

Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) Update

Sylvie started her career in the communications sector at the CRTC as legal counsel and Special Advisor to the Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC 1991-1997), developing in-depth knowledge of the mandate and objectives of the CRTC and the sectors regulated by the tribunal.  She then moved to the private sector and assumed a senior management role at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) - Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs where she led, managed, coordinated and supervised all activities of the Policy and Regulatory Affairs branch of the CAB serving the television, specialty and radio sectors. After leaving the CAB she assumed the role of Director, Regulatory Affairs (TELUS Québec) while simultaneously working as a communications sector consultant/sole practitioner dealing with various broadcasting matters for large and small private communications companies. She then began a 13-year career with Corus Entertainment as Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Government Relations and Compliance.  In this role, she led and engaged a multi-disciplinary team within Corus on numerous television and radio applications and appearances before the CRTC, Parliamentary Committees and other government bodies and agencies.  Sylvie was also active on numerous industry boards including Chair of the board of the CAB, Chair of the board of the Radio Starmaker Fund, Vice Chair of the Fonds Radiostar, member of the board of Musicaction and member of the Legal Committee of NABA and is currently Vice-President of the Board for International Institute of Communications – Canada Chapter.