Building the Future Renovator

Ontario’s renovation industry is changing. Is your business ready for what comes next?

Join renovators, builders, industry leaders, and technical experts for a full day focused on the trends, technologies, and opportunities shaping the future of our sector.

This year’s summit will explore emerging technologies, evolving building practices, new market opportunities, and the future of the renovation industry, delivering practical insights to help strengthen your business and lead confidently in a changing market.

Friday, November 6, 2026
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Symes | 150 Symes Rd., Old Toronto

Event Agenda

8:00 am – 9:00 am – Registration & Networking Breakfast
Check in, enjoy a light breakfast, and connect with colleagues and partners before the day’s program begins.



9:00 am – 9:15 am – Building the Future Renovator: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Housing Market

Peder Madsen, Chair, OHBA Ontario Renovators’ Council; Owner, CCR Build + Remodel

Tom McLaughlin, Chair, OHBA; VP Finance, Thomasfield Homes

Mark Prociw, Manager, Mass Market Strategic Accounts, Enbridge Gas



9:15 am – 10:00 am – The Future Renovation Market: What It Means for Your Business
Explore the forces reshaping Ontario’s renovation market, from changing homeowner expectations and energy performance to affordability, technology and evolving housing needs – and what these trends mean for renovators and their businesses.

The session will examine the practical factors influencing homeowner energy and construction decisions, including upfront costs, long-term affordability, reliability, resiliency, comfort and consumer preferences, and the opportunities these changing priorities create for renovators.

Gord Cooke, Founder, Building Knowledge Canada



10:05 am – 10:50 am – Leading the Digital Renovation Business: Technology for Better Projects and Better Buildings
AI, digital tools and emerging technologies are changing project delivery, customer service and high-performance renovation.

Hear from David Mill, founder and CEO, on the frameworks and tools Scelta has built to govern AI like any other tool on your job site, backed by real client case studies and results. Learn how to put AI to work in your renovation business without placing your data at risk.

Chris Smith, Owner & Founder, Woodsmith Construction Inc.

John Langlois, Chief Technology Officer, Scelta

Shamus McCabe, President, Four Leaf Homes



10:50 am – 11:20 am – Networking Break & Innovation Lounge
Meet training providers, certification organizations, technology partners and workforce development programs.



11:20 am – 12:05 pm – The Future of Renovator Licensing in Ontario: Industry Forum
A facilitated discussion on raising professionalism, protecting consumers and shaping the future of Ontario’s renovation industry.

Ontario remains without a dedicated licensing framework for renovators. As consumer expectations, regulatory requirements and project complexity continue to grow, what could a modern renovator licensing framework look like – and what would it mean for renovators, consumers and the industry?

Danielle Feidler, Founder & Principal, Danielle & Co. Strategic Advisory

Tom McLaughlin, VP Finance, Thomasfield Homes Ltd.; Chair, OHBA

Jamie Adam, President, Pioneer Craftsmen



12:05 pm – 1:00 pm – Networking Lunch

Lunch provided by:



1:00 pm – 1:45 pm – Unlocking the Missing Middle: New Opportunities for Renovators
Ontario’s housing policies are increasingly encouraging gentle density through duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, laneway suites and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These projects represent significant new opportunities for renovation professionals – but they also require a different mix of technical expertise, regulatory knowledge and project management capabilities.

Sarah Caron, Senior Director, Programs, CHBA

Dan Foch, Chief Real Estate Officer, Valery.ca

Doug Taylor, President, Frontiers Design Build Inc.

Connor Beamish, President, Agarwood Construction



1:50 pm – 2:45 pm – The High-Performance Renovation Playbook
Explore how renovators can take a whole-house approach to improving existing homes, combining energy assessments, building science, building-envelope improvements, airtightness, insulation, high-efficiency mechanical systems and smart sequencing to achieve better performance.

Drawing on CHBA’s Net Zero Renovation research and practical tools, the session will focus on cost-effective roadmaps that help renovators and homeowners prioritize upgrades, phase improvements, and deliver measurable results.

Lynn Strickland, Director, Initiatives, Net Zero Housing, CHBA

Stephen Magneron, Master Energy Advisor, Homesol

Trent Doherty, Owner, Level UP Consult Design Build

Jacob Marques, Field Technical Team Leader, A&J Energy Consultants



2:45 pm – 3:05 pm – Networking Break & Innovation Lounge
Connect with partners to learn more about the products and services available to support your business.



3:05 pm – 3:50 pm – Leading the Next Generation: Building a Future-Ready Business
Create a stronger, more adaptable business through leadership, culture and continuous learning.

Explore how leaders can build teams that are engaged, adaptable and ready for a changing market. The session will focus on leadership strategies for developing people, creating a culture of continuous learning, embracing new technologies and practices, and positioning a business to capitalize on growing demand.

 

Elsa Batten, Founder, Aware Design Studio

Andrew Burtch, CEO, G.J. Burtch Construction

Dan Guest, President & Visionary, Guest Plumbing

Tim Weber, CEO, Diverso Energy

Michael Ridler, Owner, Eden Energy



3:50 pm – 4:00 pm – Building What Comes Next: From Ideas to Action
Key takeaways and practical actions from the day to help renovators strengthen their businesses, embrace innovation and capitalize on emerging opportunities.



4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Networking Reception
Continue conversations with peers, educators, training providers, technology partners and energy-efficiency experts.

Networking Reception hosted by:



Agenda and speakers are subject to change. Additional speaker announcements will be shared as they are confirmed.

Registration

Invest in the knowledge, connections, and tools your business needs to succeed in a changing renovation market.

OHBA Member Rate: $149.99 + HST
Non-Member Rate: $169.99 + HST

What’s Included:

  • Access to the full educational program
  • Access to the Innovation Lounge Tradeshow
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Refreshments
  • Post-Event Networking Reception
  • Opportunities to connect with industry colleagues, experts, and partners
  • Practical insights and resources to support your business

Secure your spot at the 2026 OHBA Master Renovators’ Summit. Only 150 spots available.
Registration is open to members and non-members.

Thank You to our Event Partners!

Presenting Sponsor

Breakfast

Lunch

Networking Reception

Session Host

Networking Breaks

Supporter

Tradeshow Exhibitors

Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities

Put your organization in front of Ontario’s renovation professionals and industry leaders. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities offer valuable visibility, meaningful connections, and a chance to showcase the products, services, and solutions that help renovation businesses prepare for what’s next.

To learn more about available opportunities, contact connect@ohba.ca.