Message from Symposium Organizer
Mouwafak Ayoub, P.Eng.
Chair, PEO West Central Engineering Symposium - 2026
Dear Colleagues, Members, and Future Engineers,
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2026 PEO West Central Engineering Symposium. First launched in 2024, this premier one-day event now enters its third successful season, celebrating the essential role engineers play in shaping Canada’s future through innovation and leadership—grounded in PEO’s responsibility to advance professional practice, protect the public interest, and uphold the highest standards of professional self-regulation.
Engineering stands at the centre of today’s most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities. As Canada advances through the energy transition, climate adaptation, digital transformation, and rapid urban growth, engineers are leading the way—designing resilient infrastructure, integrating emerging technologies, and translating bold ideas into real-world solutions. This symposium serves as a platform to showcase that leadership in action.
Hosted collaboratively by seven PEO chapters, representing more than 20,000 professional engineers and over 3,000 Engineers-in-Training, the symposium brings together diverse perspectives across disciplines and sectors. Through inspiring keynote remarks, high-impact panels, and engaging breakout sessions, participants will explore topics including energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence, smart and resilient cities, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, space, infrastructure renewal, and professional collaboration.
A strong focus will be placed on diversity, inclusion, workforce development, and student engagement, ensuring the next generation of engineers is empowered to lead with confidence and purpose.
Our dynamic trade show will further connect innovation with application, showcasing leading organizations across technology, energy, standards, academia, and advocacy.
This symposium would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and collaborators, whose commitment reflects the very best of our profession.
I invite you to join us on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Together, we will celebrate engineering excellence and help shape a sustainable, innovative, and resilient future for Canada.
Keynote Speaker
Ceo & Registrar, Professional Engineers of Ontario
Jennifer has achieved extensive success and leadership in activities supporting public protection, policy and strategy, operations, and quality improvement. Quaglietta previously served as vice president, performance excellence and information services at the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), where she led the transformation of HIROC’s organization, practices and thinking to enable a culture of innovation and agility in support of a safer healthcare system across Canada.
A Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders, and an Industry Affiliate with the Centre for Healthcare Engineering at the University of Toronto, Quaglietta is a graduate of the Master of Business Administration program from the Rotman School of Management and the University of Toronto’s Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering program. She holds the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation, Project Management Professional designation, professional engineer designation, and is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Agenda
Apr 13
7:00-8:30
Registration, Networking & Breakfast
8:30-9:45
Opening Remarks
9:45-10:45
Panel Discussion 1: Scaling the Energy Transition with Disruptive Technologies
10:45-11:00
Morning Coffee Break
11:00-12:00
Panel Discussion 2: Engineering Diversity – Celebrating Every Voice
12:00-13:00
Networking Lunch (Main Hall)
13:00-14:00
Panel Discussion 3: Powering Canada’s Data and AI Driven, Space Launch
14:00-14:15
Afternoon Coffee Break
14:15-14:45
Dr. Tom Murad
14:45-15:45
Panel Discussion 4 & Breakout Sessions – Engineering Education for the Growing Digitalization Era
15:45-16:15
Honourable Guest
16:15-16:45
Closing Remarks & Awards
Meet Our Leadership &
Advisory Committee
Meet Our Panelists
Explore the diverse group of industry experts and thought leaders who will be speaking. Get inspired by their insights and knowledge on engineering innovations shaping tomorrow's world.
Panel 1: Scaling the Energy Transition with Disruptive Technology.
Panel 3: Engineering Intelligence: AI, Aerospace Breakthroughs & Cyber-Resilient System
Panel 4: Engineering Education for the Growing Digitalization Era
Robert Watts
Makhos Inc, Consensus Building Institute, Cambridge MA, Downie-Wenjack Fund
President, Senior Associate, Chair
Presentation Title:
Our panelists bring diverse experiences and viewpoints to the table, fostering engaging discussions on the latest trends and challenges in the engineering industry.
Exhibitors' at the Symposium
The participation of guest speakers and exhibitors at this regional symposium does not constitute an endorsement by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). As an objective regulatory body, PEO remains neutral and does not officially support any specific company, product, or service presented.
The Venue
Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
901 Dixon Rd,
Etobicoke, ON M9W 1J5
The Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel is located near Toronto Pearson Airport.
It has ample parking and will be the perfect backdrop for the Symposium.