Best of CASE District II Award
 

Institution: University of Waterloo

Title of entry: Tech Horizons Executive Forum

About this entry: WatSPEED was established in 2021 as the University of Waterloo’s lifelong learning branch, to enable professionals, executives, and organizations to navigate disruption through reskilling and upskilling. Our Tech Horizons Executive Forum was a one-day, exclusive event to equip senior leaders with a better understanding of emerging technologies and their impact on business strategy. Featuring inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking panels, interactive sessions, and networking, this event delivered an unforgettable experience. It featured a unique fusion of academic experts who shared cutting-edge research insights and their direct application to the business world, and industry luminaries including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, Dave McKay, President and CEO of RBC, who revealed the latest trends and expert perspectives on the future of technology.

The event marked several "firsts" for WatSPEED, including hosting a large-scale, in-person executive audience and implementing a successful cost recovery strategy. Audience-centric planning was a cornerstone of its success, ensuring the event resonated with our target audience. We conducted research to understand key demographic nuances to guide our strategy, planning, and promotion.

The outcomes surpassed our expectations: we elevated our brand, strengthened our reputation, and reached our intended audience. Fantastic attendee feedback (8.8/10 rating, 93% likely to recommend), a sold-out event with a waitlist, and an estimated media reach of 54.4M+ spotlighted the event's success. We significantly surpassed our cost recovery target and, most importantly, we developed deeper relationships with partners leading to future opportunities. Attendees gained critical knowledge, leaving energized and empowered to lead their organizations into the future.