Global Chamber® hosted Beyond Borders: Opportunities in Toronto and Canada on Thursday, January 29, 2026, bringing together business leaders, executives, and advisors focused on global growth opportunities to and from Toronto, across Canada, and around the world. The hybrid event was held in person at Trowbridge in Downtown Toronto, with virtual participation spanning North America and Asia-Pacific.
Designed to support leaders preparing for a pivotal year ahead, the program combined strategic insight, economic outlooks, and practical guidance for companies seeking to grow globally in 2026.
Event Overview
The event featured an engaging hybrid format, with in-person networking and curated content supported by Trowbridge, BMO, and GoGlobal. Attendees participated in an evening of connection, learning, and collaboration—anchored by 90 minutes of essential programming from global experts.
With shifting market dynamics and accelerating global opportunity, the conversation emphasized readiness, execution, and the importance of building globally capable teams and systems.
The event was recorded and is available for watching HERE.
Event Highlights
The Beyond Borders program brought together leaders from finance, global expansion, trade, outsourcing, language access, and cross-cultural operations—each offering actionable perspectives for international growth.
Speakers included:
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Doug Bruhnke, Founder & CEO, Global Chamber®
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Carol Schleif, Chief Market Strategist, BMO Private Wealth
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Ernie (Arun) Nagratha, Managing Director, Trowbridge Professional Corporation
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Elliot Altland, Associate Director, GoGlobal
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Chris Yap, Founder & CEO, Gabtech Global
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Lora Rigutto, Partnerships & Community Lead, FITT
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Brogan Taylor, CEO, Stillman Solutions Team
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Tomoko King, Founder, Tomoko King Consulting & Advisory
Key Themes & Insights
- Global Opportunity in a Pivotal Year Doug Bruhnke set the stage by highlighting why 2026 represents a critical inflection point for companies in Canada and beyond. He emphasized the importance of early positioning, trusted relationships, and global readiness to capture emerging opportunities.
- Economic Outlook and Market Signals for 2026 Carol Schleif of BMO provided a forward-looking economic forecast, offering clarity on market conditions, investment considerations, and global financial signals shaping decision-making for leaders navigating uncertainty and growth.
- Implementing Global Success Ernie Nagratha shared practical insights on managing global complexity—from expatriate taxation to international mobility—drawing on deep experience supporting Canadians living and working around the world.
- Building and Scaling Global Teams Elliot Altland and Chris Yap explored modern approaches to global workforce expansion, including Employer of Record solutions, outsourcing strategies, and systems that allow companies to scale efficiently while maintaining culture and operational excellence.
- Trade Readiness and Export Leadership Lora Rigutto highlighted the importance of education, certification, and access to trade resources, underscoring how organizations like FITT help companies become more confident and effective exporters.
- Language, Culture, and Cross-Border Execution Brogan Taylor and Tomoko King emphasized the often-overlooked role of language access, cultural intelligence, and operational alignment in successful global expansion—particularly between Canada, Japan, and other key markets.
Reflections on the Event
Beyond Borders: Opportunities in Toronto and Canada reinforced the value of combining strategic insight with practical execution. By convening leaders across finance, trade, and global operations, the event provided clarity, confidence, and connection for companies preparing to grow internationally in 2026.
The hybrid format enabled meaningful engagement across regions, demonstrating Global Chamber®’s commitment to making cross-border business easier—anywhere to anywhere.
About Global Chamber® Toronto
Global Chamber® Toronto connects leaders and organizations to global opportunities through trusted relationships, strategic insights, and cross-metro collaboration. 🌍 Be global and UNSTOPPABLE in Toronto.
Originally published at https://www.globalchamber.org/blog/2026/02/12/global-chamber/global-chamber-beyond-borders-opportunities-in-toronto-canada-2026/
