Overview
Dates: November 23 - 24, 2023
Location: Cambridge, Ontario
The Steering Committee welcomes 48 select Ontario municipal and private practice planners and lawyers, as well as a few architects and other experts in the industry, to meet, share challenges, and exchange ideas. This 3rd Generation Forum is part of the Cambridge Forums ‘Land Use Planning’ series. It is geared towards practitioners who are emerging leaders in this field and have between 10-19 years of experience.
Using candid, seminar-style discussion at this annual meeting, the group shares experiences from every perspective. Participants are able to engage in meaningful dialogue about the most pressing issues facing their clients and build valuable networks of like-minded peers.
2023 Steering Committee
This elite group, comprised of experts in the field, personally nominates all invitees and develops the Agenda, which forms the basis of our discussions.
Committee Co-Chairs
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Geoff Romanowski Director of Planning & Development Services Town of Ajax Ajax, ON
Geoff is the Director of the Planning and Development Services Department. He provides overall leadership and innovative strategies to ensure that the management and delivery of services are aligned with the Town of Ajax strategic priorities in the areas of: planning policy development, development application evaluation and processing, transportation planning, economic development and tourism, engineering approval and building permit issuance and building inspection. Prior to his current position, he was the Manager of Planning and was the primary planning project coordinator for the Town of Ajax. In this capacity, he provided leadership and project direction on development review, policy planning, and heritage planning projects. With almost 20 years in planning, Geoff has also been a planner with the City of Pickering and Municipality of Clarington.
Geoff has a Joint-Honours Degree in Geography and History from Trent University and an Honours Diploma (Municipal Planning & Development Technician) from Mohawk College.
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Andrea Skinner Partner Aird & Berlis LLP Toronto, ON
Committee Members
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Adrian Cammaert Manager, Planning Services Town of Newmarket Newmarket, ON
Adrian leads Planning Services for the Town of Newmarket; a vibrant and growing Town of over 90,000 people located in the heart of York Region.
Adrian oversees all policy and development planning in the Town, and is specifically focused on establishing the policy framework to increase economic competitiveness and create vibrant, complete communities.
Adrian founded and chaired Ontario’s first Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism, and is now a member of OPPI’s Planning Issues Strategy Group.
Prior to joining the Town of Newmarket, Adrian had spent many years in the private sector leading development approval projects on behalf of numerous developers and landowners throughout the GTHA.
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Christie E. Gibson Partner Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Toronto, ON
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Patrick MacDonald Solicitor City of Hamilton Hamilton, ON
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Andy Margaritis Partner Davies Howe LLP Toronto, ON
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Sean McGaffey Senior Urban Designer & Planner Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited Toronto, ON
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Martin Quarcoopome Vice President Weston Consulting Group Inc. Vaughan, ON
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Inger Squires Senior Associate, Urban Planner Urban Strategies Inc. Toronto, ON
Forum Director
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Emily Scott Senior Forum Director Cambridge Forums Toronto, ON [email protected] M: +1 437 223 2813
Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Queen’s University. Before joining Cambridge Forums, Emily spent ten years working as an event manager; from leading full-scope event production of gala fundraisers in Toronto, to travelling the world as a destination wedding planner, managing each event from concept to onsite execution. Armed with deep expertise in relationship management and event logistics, Emily looks to deliver standout participant experiences as a Forum Director. Outside of the office, Emily can be found scouring Spotify for new music, hosting dinner parties for her friends and family, and perfecting her golf swing.
Built on genuine interactions and spontaneous connections, the Forum is a unique opportunity for practical discussions among emerging leaders in the land use planning field.
"The Forum is a gathering of like-minded professionals discussing and brainstorming solutions to the pressing issues of our industry. It is an invaluable opportunity to have frank talk with your peers to exchange ideas, experiences and knowledge."
Lincoln Lo Principal Malone Given Parsons Ltd. Markham, ON"The Forum is incredibly unique, its focus on discussion provides for an unparalled opportunity to tap into the wealth of experience and knowledge held by our learned peers. The inclusion of various professional disciplines in the forum brings different perspectives to complex issues, which you may not typically consider in your daily practice. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to participate."
Kristie M. Stitt Associate Kagan Shastri LLP Toronto, ON"The Forum format allows for more candid and open debate/discussion. It allows the conversation to go in directions not typically allowed for in other conferences or professional development courses."
Bolajoko Ogunmefun Senior Associate Counsel, Development Law York Region Newmarket, ON
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