University of Guelph, October 27, 2018

The third Equine Industry Symposium will again be hosted at the University of Guelph campus on October 27th, 2018 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The Symposium will provide the opportunity for open discussion amongst industry professionals to address concerns within the industry. This year’s main topic will be Professionalism and Standards. Selected educated, inspiring speakers will communicate their perspective on the topic to facilitate discussion among attendees.

Schedule

9:30 am - Welcome from VP research, OAC, OVC. Picking up from the last symposium. Goals of the day, with Moderator Akaash Maharaj.

10:00 am - Professionalism: where it all starts, with Catherine Geci.

10:35 am - Industry stats: What do the existing data tell us? with Kendra Coulter.

11:10 am - Break

11:25 am - Industry Stats, and what is being done about all this? Ontario Equestrian’s approach to professionalism in the industry as it pertains to coaching, youth development, facilities operations, with Pam Coburn.

12:00 pm - Stirring the pot. Discussion facilitated by Akaash Maharaj and Tim Nelson.

12:35 pm - Lunch (provided)

1:20 pm - Rider story: An elite equestrian’s personal example, with Diane Creech.

1:55 pm - Marketing: Is it possible or necessary to sell this? – Len Kahn.

2:30 pm  - Break

2:45 pm - Vet tech story: Personal experiences of living through change, with Rory Dimitrioff and Cally Merritt.

3:20 pm - Wrap up: Bringing it all together and choosing next steps. Discussion facilitated by Akaash Maharaj and Tim Nelson.

3:50 pm - Concluding remarks.

Just in time to kick-start the upcoming Equine Industry Symposium hosted by the University of Guelph on October 27, 2018, a new discussion group has started on TheHorsePortal.ca website as a platform for anyone to share resources and knowledge, network, collaborate, identify common issues, discuss common solutions, and promote actions based on evidence and professionalism. Discussion topics revolve around the six key themes that emerged from the first Equine Industry Symposium held in November 2016:

• Marketing – How can we promote our industry as a viable profession?
• Education vs employment – What challenges do we face in finding skilled employees?
• Industry standards – Does our industry have standards? Do we need standards?
• Joining forces – Can we gain some common ground with others through our connection with the horse?
• Youth involvement – How do we attract and retain youth in our aging industry?
• Industry research – What research is needed to push our industry forward?

Registration to the Equine Industry Symposium discussion on theHorsePortal.ca is free. Simply go to https://thehorseportal.ca/course/eis/, click on Register, and use the coupon code EISforum2018 for your free registration. Then start participating in the discussion and let’s see where we can take our industry!

This is a free event open to anyone involved in any sector of the equine industry.

Saddlefit 4 Life has generously donated a gift certificate for a five-day saddle ergonomist course (value of $2500). A sample of the course can be viewed here. Dates for North American offerings of the course will be made available in the new year.

A draw for this gift certificate is open to any student registered in third or fourth year of the BBRM Equine Management degree program. Ballots will be available at the Symposium on October 27. The draw will be made in the afternoon, and the winner must be present to receive the prize.

Advanced registration is required.

Please use the campus map to locate Thornbrough. 

Free parking is available in lot P42.

Reprinted with the kind permission of Equine Guelph.

Photo courtesy of Equine Guelph.