Articles

PD Days 2024 - Speakers Spotlight 1

About the PD Days 2024 Hybrid Conference

The PMINB’s Professional Development Days conference hosts project managers from Canada and US. There are two ways to attend: 

1. Virtual Sessions [13 PDUs] - there will be 13 virtual sessions (one hour each) spread over the month of May, including a virtual keynote speaker. Most sessions will be recorded and available until August 31, 2024, depending on speaker and topic requirements.
2. In-person Workshop [13 PDUs (Virtual) + 8 PDUs (In-person)] - there will also be an in-person full-day workshop held at the Four Points by Sheraton Moncton on May 21st, followed by an in-person networking event. Anyone who purchases a ticket for the In-person Workshop will also have access to all virtual sessions.

Register Online Here

PD Days 2024 - Speakers Spotlight 1

Spotlight 1 - "Latest Project Management Trends" with Lynn Shannon, PMP, PMI-PBA, DASSM
Date: Wednesday, May 1 at 12 pm

Abstract: During her session, Lynn will provide a brief PMI Status Update and then will delve into Global Megatrends, quickly touching on:

• Labour Shifts
• Demographic Shifts
• Digital Disruptions
• Economic Shifts
• Climate Change
• Civil, Civic and Equality Movements
  
  

She will then focus on and drive into general project management trends, including:

• Embracing Power Skills
• Making Agile a Priority
• Embracing Continuous Learning, including the use of AI
  

Bio: A current Board of Director with PMI Global, Lynn Shannon will be speaking to us on the Latest Project Management Trends. She is a dedicated professional leader with extensive management experience leading media and digital transformation programs for large Canadian companies, including Thomson Reuters, Torstar, Rogers Communication and Sun Life Financial. Currently she is an instructor in the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto, teaching project management and leadership courses. Learn More

Spotlight 2: "Project Management Leadership: The Art of Respect Over Popularity" with Laszlo A Retfalvi, P.Eng, PMP, PMI-RMP
Date: Monday, May 6 at 12 pm

Abstract: Leadership in today's project environment is a challenge for many. Project Managers, especially those new to the position, often feel ill-equipped, overwhelmed, and stressed when dealing with the need to make tough decisions. Many of us are naturally biased towards ensuring harmony and consensus first, not on reason. This is where the challenge begins. Leadership in a project environment requires the acceptance that difficult decisions are almost never popular with stakeholders. Respect is a solid foundation for leadership and must be earned. There is simply no way around this. Recognizing and mastering the careful balance between respect and popularity is what makes a Project Manager an outstanding leader. Please join Laszlo as he explains how gaining respect plays a critical role in successful project management, its importance to your personal success, and how to apply proven techniques to help raise your leadership to the next level.

Bio: Laszlo is former Director of Enterprise Excellence and member of the Senior Leadership Team {SLT) at Lockheed Martin Canada, a division of Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems (RMS). Laszlo's role focused on strategic program and risk transformation to drive excellence through the organization. Learn More

Spotlight 3 - "The Rise of AI - How AI will is Revolutionizing Project Management" with Mashhood Ahmed
Date: Wednesday, May 15 at 7 pm

Abstract: Since the launch of ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transitioned from an academic topic to a tangible reality, particularly evident the proliferation of AI Apps. This significant development is poised to revolutionize the field of Project Management as we speak. Join our presenter as he unravels AI’s immense potential in project management. From optimizing mundane administrative tasks to boosting team performance and project outcomes, AI is the key to staying ahead of the curve. Let AI take the reins while you focus on delivering unparalleled value and groundbreaking solutions. Discover how AI will reshape each facet of project management knowledge areas, with real-life applications you can start leveraging immediately. Unleash your soft skills as a human project manager, partnering with AI to conquer routine tasks. Prepare for the future—relearn, motivate, build trust, negotiate, ideate, empathize, and rely on intuition. Later, our presenter will show in live demo how to super enhance human capabilities by putting meeting transcription into AI and leverage the power of AI for every project manager to have a personal Assistant. Are you ready to seize the future?

Bio: Mashhood has over 20 years of project-program management experience leading multi-million-dollar projects around the globe. Currently, he runs a boutique consulting firm in Edmonton, Canada, and he is founding director of PMassistant.ai where is leading a team to design and develop next generation project management solution leveraging AI. Learn More

Register Online Here

Why Attend PD Days?

• Exceptional speakers.
• Eligible for up to 20 PDUs towards PMI certification requirements.
• Session topics covering Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, Decision-Making Process, Risk Management, and more.
• Access to experts from a wide range of fields and backgrounds.
• Great networking opportunities.

Accommodations
Discounted group rate for accommodations is available from the Four Points by Sheraton Moncton ($130 plus tax) per night for both May 20 and May 21. Since the in-person workshop starts at 9 am on May 21, some may consider driving to Moncton in the morning and booking accommodations for the night of the 21st to take full advantage of the networking event after the workshop. Book online using the link here, or by phone at 506-852-9600 and provide the front desk team with the booking code PMI.

Full Schedule, Session Descriptions, and Speaker Bios
You can find the full schedule and session topics on the PMINB PD Days website.

Thank you.