Our Spring conference in Moose Jaw at the Temple Gardens has been an annual event for the last ten years or so. Spring is just around the corner, the days are longer and everything feels new! We kick things off with training events during the day on Friday March 13th followed by a fantastic time of fellowship in the evening at Bobby's Place, a quaint little tavern just a block from our host hotel. This event is a great icebreaker and gets attendees into the "Saskatchewan Mode" of allowing people to mix and connect in a fun atomoshere. On Saturday morning we kick off the event with a short AGM meeting followed by our keynote speaker Tom Deans who will be speaking about succession planning and wealth transfer. This portion of the day is sponsored by Darren Ulmer and Mike Spicer from White Owl Financial who will faciliate a panel discussion following Tom's presentation. Just ahead of lunch we will have a report from our industry & education partners. After lunch SGI will give an update on their digital transformation and maybe even a sneak peek at rate negotiations! Leading up to the afternoon break we will have Norm Bruneau sharing how Estimate Scrubber and the Partsd Autonomy tool can help with a shops profitability. We close out the business meeting with an interview of Koos Reneking as he shares his amazing journey through the collision industry over the last 40 plus years. At 6 pm we gather together for the Presidetn's Dinner with a sit down meal. During the day we will have a mini trade show featuring some of SAAR's key sponsors.
In this presentation you will learn how to potentially cut your insurance costs by as much as 10% while at the same time getting a better understanding of what insurance coverage you really need.s presentation you will learn how to potentially cut your insurance costs by as much as 10% while at the same time getting a better understanding of what insurance coverage you really need.
Doug Taylor, Taylor Risk Management
Andy McDougall, HK Henderson Insurance
PGW Auto Glass is proud to sponsor this event and will show case the Autel ADAS calibration system. This training event will help shops to understand the issues that can affect ADAS calibrations for goof or for bad results. In addition, if you know how many vehicles you calibrate each month you can come up with a business case to bring that work in house instead of subletting it out.
PGW Auto Glass
The morning consists of an informal discussion on how Norm made his adjustment to financial literacy after hearing Tom speak at a SAAR event almost 10 years ago. Then get into the nitty gritty of what numbers you need to know and understand to maximize your financial performance. This will be an interactive event that will have numerous AHA! Moments that will make you mad while at the same time opening your mind.
Tom Parnell, PPG Performance Program Manager
Norm Bruneau, St Claude Auto Body
Color Compass
All events in the main ballroom hosted by Ari Avivi.
Meet Ari Avivi - Your Next Unforgettable Event Host!
When it comes to bringing energy, laughter, and unforgettable moments to any event, Ari Avivi is in a league of his own. Best known for The Comedy Plt and the wildly entertaining Really Bad Advice Podcast, Ari combines sharp wit, quick improvisation, and infectious charm to keep audiences fully engaged from start to finish.
As an event host, Ari doesn't just guide the day - he owns it. Whether it's a corporate gala, private celebration, or a live show, he strickes the perfect balance between professionalism and hilarity, turning every event into an experience guests rave about. Expect smart humor, seamless transitions, and the kind of spontaneous fun only Ari Avivi can deliver.
Ari Avivi
Bryan Leier, President
Tom Bissonnette, Executive Director
Tom Deans
Dr. Thomas William Deans is an author and full-time professional speaker. Having delivered more than 2,000 speeches in 28 countries on 4 continents, he is widely considered the preeminent thought leader and speaker on generational wealth.
For almost 20 years, White Owl Financial Solutions Inc. has been helping Canadians, their businesses, and families with their financial planning needs. If you’re preparing for retirement, let our team create a plan that helps you retire your way and leave a legacy for your family.
Everything we do is client-centric. Let’s work together to find strategies to access the wealth accumulated in your business, farm, or pension, ensuring you maximize your financial potential and secure a prosperous future.
Our office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and we’re happy to accommodate in-person appointments for those nearby. For clients throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario, we offer virtual appointments.
Tom Deans
Dr. Thomas William Deans is an author and full-time professional speaker. Having delivered more than 2,000 speeches in 28 countries on 4 continents, he is widely considered the preeminent thought leader and speaker on generational wealth.
Darren Ulmer - White Owl Financial
Darren Ulmer was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He developed a close bond to the city and the people in the community. His philosophy in life is to be honest and keep his word, and he lives by this philosophy in his business, which has helped him achieve success.
Darren and his team work with smart business owners to make WISE decisions about there ongoing business planning, business sale or succession to family members.
As a cancer survivor, he believes insurance and investment planning is too important to be left to chance. This is why it is important to recommend financial solutions that are suitable for you, so that you can make informed decisions.
When he's not working, Darren enjoys giving back to his community by volunteering for various local organizations. Darren is also a global international speaker and children’s book author.
Darren is proud to hold the following designations:
-CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
-Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS™)
-Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair is a seasoned collision industry professional and senior leader with extensive experience driving strategic growth, technical training adoption, and operational alignment across Canada’s Collision Repair ecosystem.
As Business Development Manager at I-CAR Canada, Scott leads national initiatives to expand industry engagement with Gold Class, Platinum, and Training Alliance programs—bridging the gap between evolving OEM repair standards, technician development, and organizational performance.
A certified Journeyman Auto Body Technician (RSE, BSE), Scott brings a strong technical foundation and a consultative, data driven approach to advancing repair capability and safety outcomes across the industry. His work supports stakeholders, including insurers, MSOs, educators, and industry networks, in adopting scalable, standards-based training infrastructures that meet both compliance and performance objectives.
Scott is also recognized for his ability to translate complex industry needs into strategic action plans, deliver measurable outcomes, and build high-trust partnerships across all levels of the collision sector. Whether guiding multi-site operators through credentialing pathways or supporting industry partners in strengthening workforce capability, his focus remains on enabling sustainable, future ready workforce development.
Koos Reineking
Koos Reineking is Vice President at Lift Auto Group, bringing extensive experience in performance management and technical service leadership.
Within Lift Auto Group, Koos previously served as Manager, Performance. Their background reflects a strong focus on technical and service management, demonstrated through their tenure at AkzoNobel. During their time with AkzoNobel, Koos progressed to Manager, Technical & Services (Canada), overseeing technical support and service delivery within the manufacturing environment. Earlier, they served as a Services Consultant, contributing to service optimization and client support initiatives. Their work history includes a diploma and M.U.L.O. in Bedum.
Norm Bruneau
Norm Bruneau is an experienced owner with a diverse history within the automotive collision repair industry. He graduated from Red River College with an inter-provincial Red Seal for Collision Repair & Refinishing, an is an active member of the ATA as past-President with a passion for continuous learning and self improvement.
Tom Bissonnette
Tom is the former owner of Parr Auto Body in Saskatoon. He’s had over 3 decades of experience working and training in the Auto Body industry. He became president in 2018 and has already grown SAAR exponentially.
Ciaran Downes
Ciaran Downes serves as the Senior Director for Salvage, Appraisals & Technical Research Services with Saskatchewan Government Insurance, having started with the organization in May 2007.
During his tenure at Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Ciaran has held various roles including Director of the Appraisal Transition Project and Manager of both Driver Development & Safety Services and Vehicle Standards & Inspection.
Prior experience includes positions at SaskPower as a Specifications Engineer and Design Engineer in Fleet Services from May 2000 to May 2007, and an Engineering-in-Training role at Lafarge Canada from May 1999 to April 2000. Ciaran holds an Executive MBA from the University of Regina and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Mark Schweighardt and Lee Bells are the experienced Saskatchewan comedians who make up Don't Mind Us Comedy. Canadian events planners with the Royal Bank, Crown Life, Sask Tel, Investors Group, Meyers-Norris Penny, Saputo, the Canadian Wheat Board, Alberta Fire Chies and many, many others have been impressed with Don't Mind Us Comedy's hilarious, tasteful and customized shows.
Experienced Canadian Comedians, Don't Mind Us has starred on NOW TV's Comedy Street. Mark and Lee were heard 4 times nationally acclaimed radio show Madly Off In All Directions. Don't Mind Us Comedy has appeared on stage with Catherine O'Hare and Red Green, and opened up for Weird Al Yankovic.
Don't Mind Us Comedy performs frequently in Alberta and Manitoba, and have also travellled to the North West Territories, British Columbia and North Dakota for clients.
Don't Mind Us Comedy has authored The Wedding MC Jokebook, availabile Internationally.
Mark and Lee have written comedy and political satire for CBC radio, including Don't Shoot the Beaver, a 25 minute radio comedy for the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta Morning Editions.
Audiences love Don't Mind Us Comedy for their improvised and spontaneous comedy; their intellegent, tasteful style; their interaction with audience members; and their excellent ability to customize and tailor their show to the group they are performing for.
