SPEAKERS
We are pleased to present the following speakers, panelists and instructors.
BRENT BAROOTES
President and CEO, Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists
For over three and a half decades, Brent Barootes has been at the forefront of sponsorship and partnership marketing in Canada. As President and CEO of the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists®, he has worked directly with municipalities for over 20 years to create and optimize their sponsorship strategies and revenues.
Brent's expertise is further underscored by his Amazon Canada best-selling book, "Reality Check – Straight Talk about Sponsorship Marketing." A seasoned speaker, Brent is known for his engaging style and has presented at numerous conferences, as well as delivered a compelling TEDx talk on "Busting the Work-Life Balance Myth." He currently resides in Nanaimo, BC.
CARL KARAMAOUN
President, AIDAPT
Carl Karamaoun is a passionate entrepreneur and President of AIDAPT.ca - a company that helps organizations integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their business operations. AIDAPT focuses on AI training, tool integration, and custom AI problem-solving, with clients across sectors including not-for-profit, government, hospitality, events, and more.
Carl is also the Founder of Latin Sparks Festival, one of Canada’s largest celebrations of Latin music, dance, food, and culture, and leads Level UP, a digital business and technology hub that empowers Canadian artists and arts organizations to thrive. When he’s not helping companies adapt to the future of work, you can find Carl traveling the world, hitting the gym, writing poetry, or mentoring youth in life and business skills at the Boys and Girls Club of Canada.
Fun Fact: Carl speaks five languages - English, French, Spanish, Polish, and Arabic - and that’s without the help of AI!
Feel free to connect with Carl on LinkedIn.
CHRIS REED
Senior Consultant, Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists
Chris Reed is a recognized leader in municipal sponsorship strategy and corporate partnerships, bringing more than 30 years of experience advancing revenue growth, asset valuation, and community‑aligned partnerships across local government, professional sport, and financial services. He has held senior roles within municipal environments, including leading advertising and sponsorship programs, negotiating naming rights agreements, and building scalable sponsorship frameworks that balance commercial value with public accountability. His career also includes nearly two decades with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and senior leadership with BMO Financial Group, providing him with a rare blend of public‑ and private‑sector expertise.
Currently a senior consultant with the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists, Chris advises municipalities, non‑profits, and public agencies on sponsorship valuation, policy development, governance‑aligned negotiation strategies, and partnership activation. His leadership approach emphasizes transparency, stakeholder trust, and long‑term community benefit—ensuring sponsorships enhance public spaces, services, and experiences while delivering measurable financial outcomes. A trusted advisor and mentor, Chris is widely respected for helping municipalities unlock sustainable revenue while maintaining the integrity of public assets and community relationships.