MFOA's 2026 Annual Conference
is Open for Registration

         

The Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario (MFOA) invites you to join us for the 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show from September 22 – 25. We have designed this conference based on the topic priorities you shared with us. Our theme this year is Big Plans. Bold Decisions. Better Outcomes.

By bringing together thought leaders and solution providers, we will create a dynamic space for learning, knowledge sharing and networking. The MFOA Annual Conference is the must-attend conference for today’s municipal finance professional.

2026 Conference Highlights Include

• Access to recordings of most conference sessions on the conference website for 90 days post-conference (pending speaker approval)
• Our largest exhibitor tradeshow yet, featuring 75+ booths showcasing industry-leading products, services, and solutions
• Tuesday workshops - maximize your travel budget, extend your conference and benefit from the additional professional development opportunity 
• Leading edge case studies
• Valuable networking opportunities
• Discussion forums
• Gala dinner and live entertainment
• Live streaming - register individually or as a group to attend virtually 
• Mobile website - customize your conference program, access session information and materials, connect with the exhibitors and network with your colleagues 
• .. And much more!

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A Message From Our President

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Board, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2026 MFOA Annual Conference, taking place September 22–25, 2026 at Blue Mountain Resort in the Town of The Blue Mountains, Ontario.

This year’s theme, Big Plans. Bold Decisions. Better Outcomes., reflects the important role municipal finance leaders play in shaping resilient and future-ready communities. 

We are pleased to offer both in-person and virtual attendance options, ensuring flexibility for all members across the province. 

Conference participants will have the opportunity to:

• Earn valuable CPD hours through engaging keynote presentations and educational sessions
• Explore real-world case studies addressing current and emerging issues in municipal finance
• Engage in timely and relevant discussion topics tailored specifically for municipal finance professionals
• Connect with peers and industry leaders from across Ontario.

In addition, an extensive trade show will showcase leading industry experts and innovative solutions spanning a wide range of municipal finance areas.

With so much content to choose from, MFOA will record most sessions and make those available to registered delegates for post-conference viewing.  

This year’s conference provides an opportunity to meet new people, catch up with old friends and enjoy the beautiful scenery, all while connecting and learning with our peers through real-life examples and case studies. It’s a must attend event for municipal finance professionals! 

We look forward to welcoming you to Blue Mountain Resort this September for what promises to be an inspiring and impactful conference experience! 

Cordially,

Stephanie Nagel
President
Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario

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   Click the headings below or scroll down for more information.

Conference Schedule	Hotel Accommodations	Keynote Speakers	Exhibitors
Live Stream	CPD Hours	Discussion Forums	Entertainment
Mobile Website	Code of Conduct	Cancellation Policy	Questions?

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Conference Schedule

Click Here to view the session schedule and descriptions (Check back often for new additions)

Click Here to view the conference schedule for meals, networking and hospitality events 

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Hotel Accommodations

MFOA has secured rooms for our delegates at Blue Mountain Resort and The Westin Trillium House. Please note selection/availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and availability is not guaranteed. Rooms will be held until Monday, August 31 or until it is full, whichever comes first. 

Blue Mountain Resort
Click here to book your room with Blue Mountain Resort online.

Call In Reservations - Contact 1-833-583-2583 and provide them with the Group Name (MFOA 2026) and Group Code (10001Q) to reserve. 

Hours of Operation 
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

If you have questions or require assistance, contact mail@bluemountain.ca or call 1-833-583-2583.

The Westin Trillium House
Click here to book your room at The Westin Trillium House online. 
 
Fraud Alert
Please note in past years we have had non-accredited organizations contacting individuals regarding the MFOA Conference. These companies may offer to help book your guest rooms at a discounted rate or offer promotions for our conference. MFOA is not affiliated with any of these groups and NOT authorized to contact delegates. Please do not provide them your personal information or credit card details. MFOA has arranged room blocks directly with the hotels listed above. You can book your room using the instructions provided above.

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Keynote Speakers

Dan Gardner Risk Management, Forecasting, and Big Projects, Award-winning Journalist, Best Selling Author

Getting Big Things Done On Budget and On Time The world’s largest database on major projects — with over 16,000 projects in more than 20 different project categories — revealed that fewer than half of projects (47.9%) finish on budget. Fewer than one in ten (8.5%) are completed on budget and on time. And a nearly invisible 0.5% of all projects are completed on budget, on time, and with the expected benefits. Worse, projects aren’t merely at risk of being a little off. Catastrophic failure is frighteningly common. Even home renovations can easily come in three or four times over budget. And the story is the same around the world. If projects are so important, why are we so bad at them? In this talk, Dan Gardner draws on his book How Big Things Get Done to look at why failure is so common and why a rare few projects are triumphs. The mind-expanding lessons about how we conceive, plan, and deliver major projects apply to projects of every imaginable variety, at every scale, from home renovations to space exploration.

Jody Urquhart Burnout Prevention, Health and Wellness Expert, Funny Motivational Keynote Speaker

Crazy Busy: Comedic Relief to Find Immediate Balance in a Fast-Paced World Do your days often feel overwhelming? Does your life resemble a three-ring circus? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us get trapped in patterns of self-made busyness to avoid uncertainty. We fill our day with menial tasks to avoid doing the important ones. When your busyness is tied to your worthiness, it’s hard not to take yourself seriously at work. Join Jody in this comedic adventure to expose the busyness patterns that overwhelm you and others. Together we will beat back busyness once and for all when you discover that you are not the problem, you are the solution.

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Current Exhibitors

Click Here to view our current list of exhibitors attending the conference.

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Live Stream Details

Register individually or as a group and attend the conference virtually. Our Live Stream registration includes:

• Tuesday Workshops
• Wednesday Workshops and Updates Session
• All main (plenary) sessions (Thursday - Friday)
• All concurrent sessions (Thursday - Friday)

Click Here to register for Live Stream.

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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The MFOA 2026 Annual Conference qualifies for a minimum of 30* verifiable CPD hours. Shortly after the conference, you will receive a confirmation letter and access to a conference schedule so you can use for tracking and verification purposes. 
 
*Total CPD hours for 2026 Annual Conference is calculated based on purchasing In-Person Package 1 (Tuesday - Friday) or Live Stream Package, and all sessions are attended through a combination of live and recorded sessions.
*Recordings posted on the conference website are subject to speaker approval.

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Discussion Forums

Thursday Discussion Forum (In-person delegates only)
Collaborate, discuss and engage in meaningful discourse with other similar-sized municipalities. Ask questions, share information, and discuss issues affecting your municipality. This is an information discussion designed to benefit you.

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Entertainment

Stay tuned for more information on our conference entertainment!

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Mobile Website

Bring your conference experience to a new level. See more, do more and get more value out of the conference - right from your mobile (tablet or computer) device. Access the conference schedule, download presentations, connect with delegates & exhibitors, and much more...!

Note: All delegates (in-person AND live stream) will have access to conference session recordings for 90 days post-conference

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Conference Code of Conduct
 
Click Here to review our conference code of conduct. You will be asked to confirm your acknowledgement of reviewing and agreeing to the terms outlined in this document upon registration.

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Questions?

Please contact training@mfoa.on.ca

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend MFOA's Annual Conference

1. Meet and Learn from Industry Leaders - MFOA conference speakers, attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors represent some of the brightest minds in municipal finance. Gain valuable insights, discover emerging trends, and learn practical best practices you can apply directly within your municipality.

2. Expand Your Network - Connect with peers from across the sector and exchange ideas on managing shared challenges. Build meaningful professional relationships and meet exhibitors who can support your municipality’s evolving needs.

3. Invest in Your Professional Development - Get equipped with the tools, strategies and actionable insights that can be brought back to your municipality. Explore new ways to  engage, learn and connect. Need professional development credits? By attending the MFOA conference, you can gain credits towards your continuing professional development (CPD) certification. Simply use a copy of your order confirmation as documentation.

4. Stay Current and Relevant - Municipal finance continues to evolve through new regulations, technologies, and innovative practices. The MFOA Annual Conference provides the knowledge and resources you need to adapt confidently, embrace change, and remain effective in your profession.

5. Bring Value Back to Your Team  - Share the ideas, strategies, and lessons learned with your colleagues to inspire innovation and improve organizational performance. The benefits of attending extend beyond the individual and can positively impact your municipality.

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Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that our work as MFOA and CHUMS and the work of municipalities, take place on traditional Indigenous territories across Ontario.  We recognize and respect the history, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Metis, Inuit and all Indigenous peoples whose presence continues to enrich our communities.