Mississauga
JUNE 25, 2025

LINK 2025: Where Strategy Meets Opportunity

The inaugural event in the Mississauga Connected (MCX) series

LINK 2025 is the inaugural edition of Mississauga Connected (MCX)—a new event series hosted at the Luxe Convention Centre, designed to convene the city’s most influential voices across business, government, education, culture, and the nonprofit sector.

LINK brings together senior executives from Fortune 500 companies, along with civic, cultural, and nonprofit leaders, for one strategic purpose: to identify and activate the collaboration opportunities that will drive Mississauga's next wave of economic growth.

This is a curated experience designed to spark meaningful dialogue and accelerate high-impact partnerships. MARTYS Award–nominated artworks will surround and inspire throughout the evening, priming a creative mindset from arrival to farewell. The panel conversation will flow seamlessly into a networking reception—paired with thoughtfully curated cuisine and live jazz—creating the conditions for authentic connection and future collaboration.

Featured Panel

Unlocking Economic Potential Through Local Collaboration

How can smarter collaboration unlock measurable value—and what ripple effects are
created when we keep things local?

This featured panel will explore that question through real-world examples, practical frameworks, and cross-sector insights. Moderated to surface both success stories and challenges, the conversation will highlight how leaders are solving shared problems through strategic partnerships.

The session is designed in two parts:

  • A moderated discussion that dives deep into partnership models that have delivered results across sectors

  • A live Q&A, inviting the audience to challenge, expand, and co-create new possibilities in real time

Panelists:

Trevor McPherson — President, Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT)

Mike Douglas — President, Mississauga Arts Council (MAC)

Raul Sibaja - CFO of ADP Canada

Sultan Akif - Startups Executive for Microsoft

Rabia Shahid - Founder of SacredHand Canada 

Focus:

  • Concrete Case Studies: Hear how local and national leaders have structured successful partnerships—and where they’ve run into challenges.

  • Unlocking Hidden Value: Discover how collaboration has driven surprising financial returns, created cultural momentum, and opened doors.

  • Choosing the Right Collaboration: Learn how to evaluate the right type of partnership, spot early warning signs, and align internal teams around shared goals.

  • The Mississauga Opportunity: Why now is a defining moment for regional collaboration—and how Mississauga’s assets create an ideal platform for innovation.

  • What’s Next: Where is the collaboration economy heading, and what actionable steps can today’s leaders take to stay ahead?


Interactive Networking:
Designed for Real Connection

Following the panel, the evening transforms into a curated networking experience where collaboration happens naturally.

  • Curated connections: Meet senior executives from Fortune 500 companies, innovative local businesses, and key civic decision-makers

  • Interactive environment: Art installations, local culinary experiences, and thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage authentic conversation 

  • Natural collaboration: The evening's design helps you discover common opportunities and potential synergies with leaders from different sectors

Featured Showcase:  In partnership with the Mississauga Arts Council, LINK will present the finalists of the 2025 MARTY Awards - an annual celebration recognizing outstanding achievements in Mississauga's arts and culture community, adding a creative dimension that inspires fresh thinking and conversation.

Panelists:

Event Details

📅 Date: Wednesday, June 25th
📍 Location: Luxe Convention Centre

🕕 Schedule:

• 5:30 PM – Doors Open
• 6:30 PM – Welcome Message
• 6:45 PM – Panel and Q&A
• 8:00 PM – Networking, Live Music, Food

RSVP