Agenda

Agenda

Agenda


Monday, March 31

March 31, 2025 11:30 to
13:30

Women of STAC Networking Lunch

Women of STAC Committee members and prospective committee members are invited to join a pre-conference networking lunch. For more information and registration, please email slee@canadatelecoms.ca.

March 31, 2025 12:00 to
16:00

Badge Pick-Up

Exhibitors, speakers, and delegates are welcome to pick-up their badges between 12:00-4:00pm on Monday, March 31 at the registration desk in the Nova Scotia Foyer.

March 31, 2025 18:00 to
20:00

Women of STAC Reception

The Women of STAC Committee invites STAC Conference attendees to join us at Halimac (1920 Brunswick St.) for a welcome reception on Monday, March 31 from 6:00-8:00pm. Special thanks to Almvoy Inc. and Seguin Morris for their sponsorship.

Tuesday, April 1

April 1, 2025 07:30 to
09:00

Badge Pick-Up & Breakfast

Attendees are welcome to pick up their badges starting at 7:30am at the registration desks in the Nova Scotia Foyer. Breakfast will be provided in the Nova Scotia room.

April 1, 2025 09:00 to
09:10

STAC 2025 Opening Remarks

Isabela Jimenez
Industry Events & Special Projects Manager, Canadian Telecommunications Association


Ready, set, connect! Kick off STAC 2025 with a warm welcome and an overview of what’s in store. Discover the highlights of the conference, key sessions to attend, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders.

April 1, 2025 09:10 to
10:00

Tower Industry PPE Standards and the CSA Z259 Committee


Staying safe while working at height requires the right personal protective equipment and up-to-date safety standards. Get up to speed on critical PPE standards with insights from CSA Z259 committee members. This session addresses industry concerns, the role of the committee, and the latest in fall protection equipment.

April 1, 2025 10:10 to
11:10

Wired or Tired: Guys & Guy Tensioning

Guy wire tensioning isn’t just a technical task—it’s a critical safety measure. Join this session for an in-depth look at how to achieve correct tension, plumb, and twist (TPT) in guyed towers. Participants will learn hands-on techniques and maintenance strategies that promote tower stability, reduce risks, and extend the lifespan of these essential telecommunications structures. From loose guys to perfect plumb, this session covers it all.

April 1, 2025 10:10 to
11:10

Tower, Monopole, & Rooftop Rescue Planning

Dominique Valdez
eSystem Training

Chris Dickson
Wesbell

Colin LeGrow
Technical Rope & Rescue

Accidents at height can happen fast, but a well-prepared rescue plan can make all the difference. This session guides attendees through developing rescue strategies for different structures, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring all personnel are equipped with the necessary skills to execute rescues safely. Whether working on a tower, monopole, or rooftop, safety is the top priority.

April 1, 2025 11:10 to
12:00

Not Just the Nuts and Bolts: DTI Washers and Structural Fasteners in the Canadian Tower Industry

April 1, 2025 11:10 to
12:00

Leading in Telecom: Lessons for Every Level

Jeff Selby
Trylon

Tracey Walsh
CBC/Radio-Canada

Cheyenne Zierler

Veronica Howat

Leadership evolves at every career stage, bringing new challenges and opportunities for growth. Three leaders—a seasoned executive, a mid-level manager, and a rising leader—share personal stories, key lessons, and how their leadership styles have developed over time. Gain strategies for building leadership presence, navigating stage-specific challenges, leveraging strengths, and fostering continuous development. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this session provides valuable insights to help you lead with confidence and impact.

April 1, 2025 12:00 to
13:15

Industry Insights with Lee Bragg

Robert Ghiz
Canadian Telecommunications Association

Lee Bragg
Eastlink

A thought-provoking fireside chat featuring Lee Bragg, Executive Vice-Chair of Eastlink and the visionary leader who spearheaded the company’s entry into the wireless industry. Moderated by the Canadian Telecommunications Association’s President and CEO, Robert Ghiz, this session explores Mr. Bragg’s unique perspective on the current state of Canada’s telecom landscape, the challenges facing the industry, and Eastlink’s evolving role as an innovative player in an intensely competitive industry.

April 1, 2025 13:15 to
14:30

Day 1 Break on Exhibit Hall Floor

Enjoy snacks and refreshments while networking on the STAC 2025 Exhibit Floor.

April 1, 2025 14:30 to
15:20

Corrosion Protection for Telecommunications Towers

This session examines corrosion mitigation for telecom towers across Canada’s diverse climates and reviews the best strategies for long-term corrosion resistance. A lively panel of tower engineers and corrosion experts offer attendees a base of the latest knowledge in corrosion protection for towers, because effective corrosion protection starts at the foundation.

April 1, 2025 14:30 to
15:20

Electrical Safety for Telecom Technicians

Keeping telecom technicians safe around power is critical. This session focuses on electrical safety best practices, from grounding system maintenance to battery and tower lighting safety. Electrical engineers and electricians share practical experiences, offering real-world perspectives on the challenges of working near high-voltage lines and underground power systems.

April 1, 2025 15:30 to
16:45

Keynote

April 1, 2025 16:15 to
16:30

STAC 2025 Day 1 Closing Remarks

Isabela Jimenez
Industry Events & Special Projects Manager, Canadian Telecommunications Association

Before the first day of STAC 2025 concludes with the annual Welcome Reception, gather for a brief recap of the day’s highlights and a look ahead to tomorrow’s agenda. This session honours industry leaders through the STAC Awards and recognize this year’s Women of STAC Bursary recipients. Join us in celebrating the dedication and contributions of this year’s outstanding winners and recipients!

April 1, 2025 16:30 to
18:30

STAC 2025 Welcome Reception

Attendees are invited to join us at the STAC Conference & Exhibition welcome reception taking place on the exhibit floor. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Almvoy Inc. and eSystem Training Solutions. 


Wednesday, April 2

April 2, 2025 08:00 to
09:00

Attendee Breakfast

A buffet breakfast will be provided to attendees in the Nova Scotia Ballroom.

April 20, 2025 09:00 to
10:00

Morning Keynote

Lee Bragg
Eastlink

Candace Carnahan

Candace Carnahan

April 2, 2025 10:15 to
11:00

Not Your Normal Build: Unusual Rooftop Tower Installations

Urban rooftops are becoming prime real estate for telecom installations, but they come with unique engineering challenges. This session examines the complexities of rooftop builds, including small cell and microcell deployment, changes in snow loading requirements, and anchor spacing considerations. Attendees will hear firsthand from providers with extensive rooftop experience and gain insights to share with their engineering teams.

April 2, 2025 10:15 to
11:00

Lone and Remote Work Safety: Managing Risk on Isolated Sites

Tony Deveaux
St. John Ambulance NS/PEI

Sergio Palladini
Esri Canada

Working in remote and rugged environments presents unique safety challenges for telecommunications crews. This session explores critical strategies for safeguarding workers while installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting telecom infrastructure in isolated areas. Expert speakers will cover risk assessment, emergency preparedness, communication in low-signal zones, and the use of advanced safety technologies. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on improving field team safety, mitigating environmental risks, and fostering a culture of preparedness in challenging conditions.

April 2, 2025 11:00 to
11:30

Break on Exhibit Hall Floor

Enjoy a coffee break while networking on the STAC 2025 Exhibit Floor.

April 2, 2025 11:30 to
12:15

Introduction to the use of Aluminum Structures in the Canadian Tower Industry

April 2, 2025 11:30 to
12:15

Tower Work and the Natural World: Environmental Hazards & Considerations

Telecom towers may rise above the landscape, but they’re not immune to the hazards of nature. This session highlights real-world safety concerns, including exposure to harmful pathogens, vector-borne diseases, and managing noxious weeds around sites. Get insights on best practices for pest management, regulatory compliance, and safeguarding workers in environments where wildlife meets telecom infrastructure.

April 2, 2025 12:15 to
13:15

Blowin' a Gale: Atlantic Canada’s Pivotal Role in Telecommunications History

April 2, 2025 13:15 to
14:15

Break on Exhibit Hall Floor

Enjoy snacks and refreshments while networking on the STAC 2025 Exhibit Floor.

April 2, 2025 14:15 to
15:15

Industry Innovations: Emerging Tower Industry Technologies

April 2, 2025 15:15 to
16:15

Network Infrastructure: Investment Drivers and Headwinds

With increasing demands for connectivity, telecom engineers must anticipate network expansion and enhancement needs along with associated challenges. This panel will explore telecom capital investment trends in Canada and the key factors influencing network infrastructure investment over the next five years.

April 2, 2025 16:15 to
16:30

STAC 2025 Conference Close and End-of-Conference Raffle

Isabela Jimenez
Industry Events & Special Projects Manager, Canadian Telecommunications Association

STAC 2025 closes with a final reflection on the past two days. We’ll recap the highlights, thank our community of industry professionals, and look forward to another year of innovation and safety in Canada’s telecom tower and infrastructure industry.

April 2, 2025 18:00 to
21:00

STAC 2025 Post-Conference Outing

The annual STAC Post-Conference Outing offers attendees a chance to relax and unwind at the end of the event by enjoying great food and drinks with colleagues from across the industry.


This year's outing will take place at the Alexander Keith’s Brewery following conference activities on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00pm. Tickets for the outing are $100 and include an assortment of food, drinks, and full access to the brewhouse. Outing tickets can be purchased through the registration page as an add-on. If you already purchased your conference tickets and are looking to purchase outing tickets only, please contact ijimenez@canadatelecoms.ca.

 

This year’s post-conference event is sponsored by FieldSENSE and Rigarus Construction.