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
Advertising and Sponsorship Coordinator, Town of Whitby

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, leading advertising and sponsorship programs, negotiating naming rights agreements, and building scalable frameworks that balance commercial value with public accountability.

His career includes nearly two decades with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and senior leadership roles with BMO Financial Group and on the agency side with Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialist, provides him with a rare blend of public‑ and private‑sector expertise. 

Currently serving as Advertising and Sponsorship Coordinator with the Town of Whitby, Chris aids in the development and execution of sponsorship initiatives that enhance municipal services, public spaces, and community experiences. He brings a strategic, governance‑aligned approach to partnership development, ensuring programs deliver measurable financial results while maintaining transparency and public trust.

Chris is widely respected for his ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and create sustainable sponsorship models that align commercial objectives with community benefit. A trusted advisor and collaborative leader, he remains committed to helping municipalities unlock long‑term value while preserving the integrity of public assets.

TROY SEDGWICK
President & CEO, Rec Media Inc.

Troy has almost three decades of media industry experience, having founded Rec Media in 1995. Rec Media has grown to become the largest company of its kind in Canada, connecting brands with audiences in community and municipal recreational facilities coast‑to‑coast. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, Rec Media has placed campaigns in over 2500 venues nation‑wide, working with brands like McDonald’s, Esso, Scotiabank, Chrysler, WestJet and Bell, among others.

Troy is a Dean’s List graduate of the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with distinction, and is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Club Academic Excellence Award. Prior to completing his studies at Haskayne, Troy spent a year at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management in Montreal, where he studied international business and French as a second language. Troy is also a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honour Society for Collegiate Schools of Business.

Troy is a past director with the Canadian Out-of-Home Marketing and Measurement Bureau (COMMB), a past Vice‑President and board member of the Canadian Marketing Association (Calgary chapter), and a past board member of the Calgary chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). 

Troy enjoys sharing what he has learned from others and is a past Mentor of the Year with the AMA Toronto Mentor Exchange, part of the Schulich School of Business at York University. Troy has also mentored with the BMO Mentorship Program at the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership, part of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Troy is a past winner of Leaders of Tomorrow, presented by Business in Calgary Magazine, a program recognizing individuals in the business community contributing to Calgary's entrepreneurial landscape through their personal integrity, values, business initiatives, community involvement, innovation, and philanthropic commitment.

Troy divides his time between the Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary offices. A self‑admitted foodie, Troy is known for his love of wine, food and international travel. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, swimming, triathlons and auto-racing. Troy is actively involved in his local community and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.

To learn more about Rec Media, visit www.recmedia.com.