October 1, 2025
7:30 AM PDT
Breakfast
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
8:00 AM PDT
Registration Open
8:00 AM
8:15 AM PDT
Welcome & Keynote
8:15 - 9:30 AM
SPEAKER:
Hall of Fame Head Coach - Canadian Freestyle Ski Team
Hall of Fame Head Coach - Canadian Freestyle Ski Team
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9:30 AM PDT
Networking Break
9:30 - 9:45 AM
9:45 AM PDT
Harnessing Automation to Tackle Workforce Challenges
9:45 - 10:45 AM
SPEAKERS:
Senior Vice President of Sales - JENSEN USA, Inc.
Senior Vice President of Sales - JENSEN USA, Inc.
October 1, 2025
9:45 - 10:45 AM
From rising wages to recruitment challenges, workforce issues are an ever-growing concern. However, the latest advancements in machine learning and robotics have paved the way for innovative solutions. Tasks that once required manual labor can now be fully automated. This session will explore trends in automation, showcase a range of available solutions, share feedback from early adopters, and discuss future directions.
The concept of robots handling laundry, once a mere sci-fi dream or a scene from The Jetsons, is now a reality. This is far from a theoretical idea—laundries across the globe are already utilizing solutions to process several tons of linen per hour.
SPEAKERS:
CEO - Kannegiesser Canada
Senior Vice President of Sales - JENSEN USA, Inc.
10:45 AM PDT
Networking Break
10:45 - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM PDT
Boosting Reusable Textiles: Advocacy Across Borders
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SPEAKERS:
Founder and CEO - Wellington Advocacy
Founder and CEO - Wellington Advocacy
As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Advocacy, Nick draws on his 15 years of political experience across Canada to advise the senior leadership of some of Canada’s largest companies and associations. Prior to Wellington, Nick directed issues management for the Prime Minister of Canada, served as Chief of Staff to the former Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta, and as a political party Campaign Director.
CEO - Vanguard Strategy Inc
CEO - Vanguard Strategy Inc
Michele Cadario was the first woman in Canada to run a national election as Campaign Director for the Liberal Party in 2004 following her success as National Director for Paul Martin’s leadership campaign. She served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Martin and was a key member of each of his transition teams. More recently she was a senior strategist in the 2013 & 2017 BC Liberal campaigns and Deputy Chief of Staff to Premier Christy Clark until 2017.
Today, Michele is CEO of Vanguard Strategy Inc., a consulting firm specializing in organizational structuring, strategic communications, and issues management and a Principal of J&M Network. Michele is also a regular political television commentator.
VP of Government Affairs - TRSA
VP of Government Affairs - TRSA
Kevin Schwalb is TRSA’s Vice President of Government Relations and certifications. He comes to TRSA after serving as a Presidential appointee of President George W. Bush to the Department of Labor. While at the Department of Labor, Schwalb worked directly for Labor Secretary Elaine Chow representing DOL to such stakeholders as congressional leaders, business leaders such as CEO’s of Fortune 50 companies as well as small businesses owners. Among the issues Kevin was involved in where Free Trade Agreements, Family and Medical Leave Act revisions and labor organization policy.
Prior to the Department of Labor Kevin was the Federal Legislative Director to the National Association of Home Builders for environmental policy dealing with such issue as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.
While at TRSA, Schwalb has defended the linen, uniform and facility services industry on many federal, state and city issues ranging from fighting President Obama’s Overtime proposal which would have cost the industry millions of dollars, updating healthcare linen regulations at the state level and enacting tax rebates saving laundry operators thousands of dollars annually. Schwalb was instrumental in leading the team that developed TRSA’s certification programs: Clean Green and Hygienically Clean programs.
October 1, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session looks at how Canada and the U.S. are working together to promote reusable textiles. We'll explore key advocacy efforts focused on creating better tax incentives, encouraging sustainable practices, and removing trade barriers between provinces and across the border. Learn how policy changes and collaboration can help grow the reuse economy and make it easier for reusable textiles to move and scale across North America.
SPEAKERS:
Founder and CEO - Wellington Advocacy
CEO - Vanguard Strategy Inc
VP of Government Affairs - TRSA
12:00 PM PDT
Lunch
12:00 - 12:45 PM
12:45 PM PDT
Navigating Supply Chain Pressures: The Role of Tariffs and Trade in Canada
12:45 - 1:45 PM
SPEAKERS:
President & CEO - George Courey Inc
President & CEO - George Courey Inc
Jeff Courey is the President & CEO of George Courey Inc, a prestigious 114-year-old institutional textile business renowned for manufacturing and distributing reusable healthcare products across North America. A visionary leader, Jeff collaborates with global manufacturing partners, implementing hedging strategies and country diversification audits to navigate complexities successfully.
With a global perspective, Jeff is at the forefront of the institutional textile industry, actively collaborating with manufacturing partners from diverse corners of the world. His keen eye for market trends and unparalleled strategic thinking have led him to expertly navigate complex challenges, leveraging hedging strategies and conducting meticulous country diversification audits.
October 1, 2025
12:45 - 1:45 PM
This session provides an overview of how tariffs and other key factors impact supply chains in Canada. Participants will explore how trade policies, transportation costs, global disruptions, and regulatory issues affect the movement of goods and materials. The discussion will highlight current challenges and offer insights into how businesses and policymakers can adapt to maintain resilient and efficient supply chains.
SPEAKERS:
President & CEO - George Courey Inc
Regional Sales Manager - M+A Matting
1:45 PM PDT
Networking Break
1:45 - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM PDT
General Session on Textile Recyling
2:00 - 2:45 PM
SPEAKER:
2:45 PM PDT
Networking Break
2:45 - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM PDT
CEO/Senior Executive Panel
3:00 - 4:00 PM
SPEAKERS:
Group Vice President North Atlantic - Cintas Canada
Group Vice President North Atlantic - Cintas Canada
James graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a degree in Political Science and Economics in 2000. He then served five years as an Infantry Officer on various assignments including a tour of duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina. James retired from the Canadian Forces as a Captain in 2005.
James began his career at Cintas in May 2005 as a Service Manager for the rental division. Over the course of the next decade, he progressively held a number of key positions including Branch Manager of a newly established location in Ottawa, Ontario, General Manager for the Boucherville, QC location, and Director of Sales and Operations for Eastern Canada. James is currently the Group Vice-President for the North Atlantic Group.
James resides in Kingston, Ontario with his wife, Sommar and his two daughters, Lauren and Caroline.
