VISION 2023: ALL ABOARD FOR THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE & AGM IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO!

Sept 12, 2023

Vision 2023 – Windsor, Ontario

Caesars Windsor

October 18-22, 2023

Conference information & registration

Hotel reservations or call 1-800-991-8888 (quote Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons group code ACP1016)

I encourage as many Members as possible from across the country to join us at Vision 2023, this year’s CPS-ECP National Conference & AGM, in Windsor, Ontario. Visit our Conference page at www.vision2023windsorcps-ecp.ca for details. It promises to be a full and exciting agenda at Caesars Windsor, with a great view of the busy commercial shipping (9,000 vessels per year) on the Detroit River separating Canada and the US.

Our special guest at Vision 2023 is the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), including a motivational presentation by the Commanding Officer of a large Great Lakes icebreaker and, depending on operational circumstances, a CCG icebreaker or other fleet asset docked nearby with tours available to conference attendees.

We are delighted to host this year’s conference at Caesars Windsor, one of the largest casinos of its kind in Canada. The complex features a 750-room luxury hotel, conference facilities, a gaming facility, four bars and lounges, six restaurants and the Colosseum, a 5,000-seat concert hall that hosts exciting international headline performers.

This year marks CPS-ECP’s 85th anniversary. We are especially proud to host Vision 2023 in Windsor, where our organization was founded. Our conference includes plenty of special events, social gatherings and tours to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

I hope to see you at Vision 2023!

Tracie Berekoff, P

National Conference Chair, Vision 2023 Planning Committee

Agenda Highlights

Wednesday

  • The Board of Directors meeting will be open to all Members. Discussions to include: changes that have been undertaken, update on brand image, reorganization of territories, demilitarization of appellations and more, followed by a Blue Sky session.

Thursday

  • Join us for a tour of Amherstburg, one of the most picturesque and historically significant towns in Ontario (War of 1812, Underground Railroad), located where the Detroit River meets Lake Erie. Day trip 1100-1600 hrs. ($50). Time to tour, shop and have lunch. Register here.
  • Education/Membership/Marketing session Thursday morning – Topics to include targeting our customers, how we develop and deliver our education products, partnering with our sister organization to the south in the development of new courses and methods of delivery.
  • Officer’s lunch – 85th Anniversary presentation.
  • Motivational speaker – CCG Captain Stacey Trombley of Amherstburg in Windsor-Essex will highlight her career and the motivation, challenges and commitment required to go from a cadet in the Canadian Coast Guard College to Commanding Officer of the CCGS Samuel Risley, one of the largest icebreakers on the Great Lakes. She will also discuss crew morale and motivation during 28-day rotations as they perform buoy maintenance in the summer and icebreaking in the winter.
  • Education/Membership/Marketing session continues Thursday afternoon – Moodle, our Learning Management system, is fast becoming the standard platform that will host all course content; partnering with other squadrons within district to facilitate delivery of a wide selection of courses; the benefits of collaboration between Education, Membership and Marketing; “online” and “classroom” learning; the integration of electronic navigation into all of our nav series courses.
  • The CCG’s goal, depending on operational circumstances, is to have an icebreaker or other fleet asset docked a short walk from Caesars Windsor so conference attendees can tour the vessel.
  • CCG will host an information table on Canadian Coast Guard College options and CCG careers.
  • On Thursday evening, a limited number of guests can attend a wine tasting/cheese pairing for only $15 per person. Guests must register in advance at www.vision2023windsorcps-ecp.ca
  • All conference registrants are invited to attend a CPS-ECP 85th Anniversary Hospitality event on Thursday night co-sponsored by the Ottawa, London and Windsor Squadrons.

Friday

  • CPS-ECP Health Walk from 0700-0730. This waterfront walk will set you up for a perfect day!
  • The CCG’s goal, depending on operational circumstances, is to have an icebreaker or other fleet asset docked a short walk from Caesars Windsor so conference attendees can tour the vessel.
  • Seminars – Moodle, Teams, course development, editorial review
  • Luncheon – CCG presentation on the importance of electronic navigation, Education Awards
  • National Awards
  • DS/SC meeting
  • On Friday evening, All That Glitters will be held at Augustus 27 on the 27th floor of Caesars Windsor. We’ve chosen this theme because we will be overlooking the city lights of the Detroit-Windsor skyline. Featuring a reception-style-station interactive dinner, dress for the event is formal with a silver/black sparkly colour scheme. Musical duo Kristina & Joshua will perform during this elegant evening.
  • Great Lakes Hospitality hosted by the six Districts that surround the Great Lakes from Toronto down to Windsor.

Saturday

  • Annual General Meeting (AGM) – All Members are invited to the AGM, listen to your National Officers and election of new Directors to the Board.
  • AGM Lunch
  • BOD Meeting – Closed
  • CPS/USPS/CCG Collaboration Session
  • The CCG’s goal, depending on operational circumstances, is to have an icebreaker or other fleet asset docked a short walk from Caesars Windsor so conference attendees can tour the vessel.
  • Visit the J.P. Wiser’s Distillery for a tour and tasting and the Windsor Yacht Club, where the first CPS-ECP course was held (1315-1730). Register here (cost $40).
  • On Saturday night, the Chief Commander’s Gala Dinner and Dance is a sit-down dinner with formal attire. After dinner, dance the night away to the sounds of Big Louie and The Band.
  • Trois-Rivieres 2024 Hospitality hosted by next year’s conference committee.

Sunday

  • BOD Meeting – Closed.

More to See and Do

  • There’s plenty to see within walking distance of our Caesars Windsor conference venue, including five kilometres of uninterrupted waterfront parks, complete with walking/running/bike paths; beautiful gardens and monuments; The Windsor Sculpture Park; the Windsor Art Gallery; a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and more.
  • Come early or stay after the Conference to explore more of Windsor/Essex! The region is known for its 100 miles of shoreline along Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie; its wineries; craft breweries; distilleries; pizza (number one in Canada); historical sites; and Point Pelee National Park.

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