TECNA Summer Conference 2025
July 15-17, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
What? TECNA Summer Conference
The 2025 TECNA Summer Conference will be held Tuesday-Thursday, July 15-17, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
This annual conference is a great opportunity to connect, learn and share with technology council, association, hub staff from other regions across the United States and Canada.
Who Attends? Connect with Your Peers!
Attendees are mostly staff of technology councils, tech associations and tech hubs who want to network and learn with their peers who usually have titles like:
- CEO/President/Executive Director
- Chief Strategy Officer
- SVP, Founder Services
- Partnership, Director/Coordinator
- Government Affairs, Director
- Programs & Events, Director/Coordinator
- Operations, Director
- Workforce Initiatives, Director/Coordinator
- Marketing/Communications, Director/Coordinator
- Membership, Director/Coordinator
- Board Member, Tech Council
- Founder, Tech Council
Where? Montreal!
The 2025 TECNA Summer Conference is hosted by TECNA Member, Quebec Technology Association. We’re excited for you to soak up the irrepressible creativity, energy and hospitality that permeates the city of Montréal—and for you to experience unforgettable Montréal moments.
Why Attend? Insights. Connections. Expertise.
This conference will deliver best practices, resources and opportunities for connection that you can't find anywhere else but at a TECNA Summer Conference. This event will feature speakers, topics and breakouts that address needs and questions of teams who run technology associations, councils, and tech hubs. The topics addressed will focus on Operations & Deliverables, Workforce, and Serving Startups/Entrepreneurs. See the planned agenda below.
What Past Attendees Had to Say
“The value!!!! I don't think I can even express how valuable it is to connect with the amazing humans that come out to these conferences.” – 2024 Attendee
“Loved the keynotes, they provided great perspectives and lots to think about.” – 2024 Attendee
"I can't say enough about how great the conference experience was. I will be working through new connections for the next six months, and am so excited to put everything I learned to work in our community." - 2023 Attendee
“Loved it! Driven by content important to our members, while retaining a track for CEOs, the conference topics, agenda and pace were brilliantly orchestrated.” – 2024 Attendee
“This was my first time attending [the TECNA Summer Conference], so I was amazed at the knowledgeable folks attending.” – 2024 Attendee
"The conference was excellent and was well worth the time & expense to send 3 members of our team!" - 2023 Attendee
Countdown to the 2025 TECNA Summer Conference
What does my registration include?
- Access to TECNA Summer Conference sessions (some sessions may be for TECNA Members only)
- Connections, learning and networking with leaders from technology councils, associations and incubators from across North America
Registration Costs
Summer Conference Registration excludes travel expenses, hotel stay and Wednesday dinner.
Member Registration (for TECNA Member Organizations in Good Standing)
TECNA Member Early Bird Registration Fee: $450 USD/person (deadline March 30)
TECNA Member Regular Registration Fee: $575 USD/person
Non-Member Registration
Non-TECNA Member Early Bird Registration Fee: $575 USD/person (deadline March 30)
Non-TECNA Member Regular Registration Fee: $750 USD/person
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2025
Cancellation Policy
You may request to cancel your registration in writing for a full refund, up to June 20, 2025. Cancellation requests after June 20, 2025, may not receive a refund. When you register for this event, you agree to these terms.
Hotel Room Block
TECNA secured a limited block of rooms at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth - 900 Rene Levesque Boulevard West, Montreal, QC H3B 4A5, Canada.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Room Block Rate: $359 CAD/night + taxes & hotel fees.
Discounted Rate is only available through June 13*, or until the block is filled.
Keynote Speaker
Marisa Murray, CEO & Founder, Leaderley International
Founder, CEO of Leaderley International, Marisa Murray will speak to unlocking transformative potential in organizations and reduce overwhelm and burnout by learning to embrace continuous improvement and agile thinking in leadership. Drawing from her book, Iterate!, Marisa will unveil how leaders can foster a culture of iteration to adapt, innovate, and drive sustainable growth in ever-changing business landscapes. Attendees will receive a copy of her book, Iterate!, and take away the mindset and tools to iterate effectively, enabling them to empower teams, overcome challenges, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing environment.
Keynote Speaker
Tino Mantella, Chief Strategy Officer, Relevantz and former President & CEO, Technology Association of Georgia
“Strategy Eats Tactics for Breakfast”
You’re deep in strategy, anticipating how AI will reshape the industry. You’re figuring out how to engage Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha, who might rather join a virtual summit than attend in person. All the while, you’re consumed daily with speaker confirmations, event logistics, surveys, and member renewals. We live in a world where monthly KPIs often overshadow long-term strategy. Tino has been fortunate to work in both the nonprofit association world and for-profit enterprises and will be sharing with TECNA members his insights on how to succeed today, while strategically preparing for tomorrow.
2025 TECNA Summer Conference Schedule*
*Schedule subject to change
>Monday, July 14, 2025
TECNA Board of Directors Meeting
>Tuesday, July 15, 2025
at EY, 23rd Floor - 900 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, Bureau 2300, Montréal , QC H3A 0A8
12:30pm – Registration Opens/Badge Pick Up Begins
23rd Floor, Reception Table
1:30pm – Welcome & Opening Keynote
23rd Floor, Main Room - West Island/Centre-Ville/ Vieux-Montreal/Place de festivals
Tino Mantella, "Strategy Eats Tactics for Breakfast"
You’re deep in strategy, anticipating how AI will reshape the industry. You’re figuring out how to engage Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha, who might rather join a virtual summit than attend in person. All the while, you’re consumed daily with speaker confirmations, event logistics, surveys, and member renewals. We live in a world where monthly KPIs often overshadow long-term strategy. Tino has been fortunate to work in both the nonprofit association world and for-profit enterprises and will be sharing with TECNA members his insights on how to succeed today, while strategically preparing for tomorrow.
2:45pm – Breakouts (2):
2:45pm - The Upside of Upskilling: What Your Council Members Need to Know
in West Island/Centre-Ville
The tech industry continues to face a talent shortage—but what if the talent you need is already inside your organization? This session explores the strategic advantages of upskilling as a smart, long-term talent strategy. By investing in existing employees, companies can close skill gaps, boost retention, foster innovation, and build lasting resilience. Gain actionable strategies to support upskilling efforts and help council members implement scalable, sustainable solutions that unlock the full potential of their teams.
2:45pm - Efficiencies in Event Planning
in Vieux-Montreal/Place de festivals
Events are the prime vehicle for serving members collectively and are also a significant revenue generator for organizations. This breakout will focus on ways to implement efficiencies in event planning while also exploring creative ways to generate additional revenue.
4:00pm – TECNA 2025 Membership Survey Results Presentation & TECNA Board Slate Vote
in Main Room
4:45pm – Canada’s Momentum: Innovation Weeks Across the Nation
in Main Room
TECNA members are responsible for vastly successful, week-long celebrations of their community’s innovation ecosystems incorporating founders, policymakers, investors, artists, students and citizens. This fireside chat will dive into TECNA members’ impactful recent Innovation Weeks and the positive effect they’ve had on their regions.
5:30pm - Break
7:00pm - TECNA Innovation Awards & Dinner
EY, 23rd Floor, Main Room
>Wednesday, July 16, 2025
at EY, 23rd Floor - 900 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, Bureau 2300, Montréal , QC H3A 0A8
8:30am – Continental Breakfast
23rd Floor, Main Room
9:00am – Welcome & Opening Keynote
in Main Room
Marisa Murray, CEO & Founder, Leaderley International
Founder, CEO of Leaderley International, Marisa Murray will speak to unlocking transformative potential in organizations and reducing overwhelm and burnout by learning to embrace continuous improvement and agile thinking in leadership. Drawing from her book, Iterate!, Marisa will unveil how leaders can foster a culture of iteration to adapt, innovate, and drive sustainable growth in ever-changing business landscapes. Attendees will receive a copy of her book, Iterate!, and take away the mindset and tools to iterate effectively, enabling them to empower teams, overcome challenges, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing environment.
10:30am – Breakouts (2):
10:30am - Where, Oh Where has my DEI Gone?
in West Island/Centre-Ville
An exploration and discussion about the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the wake of recent federal policy shifts. This timely session examines the impact on federal contractors, grant recipients, and the tech industry—offering strategic insights for organizations and practitioners navigating today's DEI challenges.
10:30am - Establishing a Government Affairs/Policy Practice
in Vieux-Montreal/Place de festivals
Is your organization interested in dipping your toe into advocacy but don’t know where to start? This session will provide participants with ways get started with some low hanging fruit ideas, even when your team has no background in policy.
11:45am – Box Lunch & Tabletop Discussions
in West Island/Centre-Ville
Look for Tabletop signs designating gathering spots to discuss over lunch about Membership, Events and Workforce
11:45am – CEO Breakout: Working with Your Board
in Vieux-Montreal/Place de festivals
For TECNA Member CEOs and Executive Directors Only
1:00pm – Measuring and Communicating Organizational Impact
in Main Room
Metrics, outcomes, community reach and how they impact long-term strategy. How are you communicating your organization’s impact both internally and with your community? What should your organization be measuring? What should you be tracking in your members and clients? Drawing on her extensive experience, Avvey Peters, Head of Ecosystem Strategy at NorthGuide will answer these questions in this session and more.
2:45pm – Break
3:00pm – CEOs on the Road: Consumer Electronics Show & SXSW
in Main Room
Opportunities for your members and founders exist around international events in North America. TECNA members share their previous experiences of taking companies with them to CES and SXSW and will discuss the greater opportunity for exposure for your companies within the TECNA network through these international events.
3:45pm – Breakouts (3):
3:45pm - Best Practices and Strategies in Membership Retention
in West Island
It’s far easier to retain members than gain new members. Knowing your companies is key. Relationships and communications are at the core of retention. This session will center on best practices in retaining your companies and communication tactics that ultimately will determine how you serve your companies…and up your member retention!
3:45pm - Turnkey Creative Ways to Serve Companies and Generate Revenue
in Centre-Ville
Balancing serving members, revenue generation and staff capacity often dictate organizational programs and services to companies and community. This discussion will focus on sharing mission-sticky, low staff demand and revenue generating turnkey ideas organizations implement.
3:45pm - Engaging and Educating Companies in Policy
in Vieux-Montreal
How do you know what policies your companies care about? How do you educate your companies in policies they don’t know about but should care about because it directly affects them? Knowing your companies’ perspective on regulation is important in dictating what your organization will advocate for and against. This session will explore tactics to engage with your companies and more importantly help them to understand the importance of good government relations.
5:00pm – Adjourn & Dinner On Your Own
>Thursday, July 17, 2025
9:00am~12:00pm - Tech Tours: Moment Factory
Moment Factory is a leading company in new forms of entertainment with installations and shows around the world. We’ll take signups for the walking tours at the Reception Table, and you’ll meet at Moment Factory at your designated tour time.
*Schedule subject to change
TECNA Innovation Awards
We will celebrate the 7th annual TECNA Innovation Awards in 2025 at the Summer Conference. The 2025 awards recognize TECNA member staff for their outstanding work completed with a milestone in 2024 on behalf of their tech association or council.
Winners will be recognized at the TECNA Summer Conference held July 15-17, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at a reception held Tuesday Evening.
#techcouncils #tecna2025 #tecnainnovationawards
Learn More and Nominate Your Organization!
Deadline to nominate: May 5, 2025.
See photos from the 2024 Summer Conference in Boston below
Bienvenue à Montréal!
Day and night, Montréal summers ooze welcoming charm. We’re excited for you to soak up the irrepressible creativity, energy and hospitality that permeates the city—and for you to savour 1001 unforgettable summer moments!
Hit the streets and stroll, wander by a festival for free music and street performances, or shop our treasure trove of unique boutiques. Within a few steps of this hotel, you’ll find some of the restaurants that gave Montréal its global gastronomic reputation. And after-dinner drinks on a rooftop terrasse are a must.
And then, after, rest well—because a whole new summertime adventure awaits tomorrow.
Enjoy your stay!
Thank You to TECNA's Sponsor Partners!
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Visionary Partner
Talent Partner
Ecosystem Champion
Innovation Excellence Sponsor
Training Partner
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
The TECNA Summer Conference is only possible because of our generous partner sponsors. Contact us to request sponsorship information.