The 2026 CBS Conference takes place in the Manuels River Community Centre conference room located on the main floor and features a number of speakers presenting talks on topics relevant to business issues and opportunities in the Conception Bay South and surrounding region. Seating is limited and early registration is advised.

Admission

Admission to the Conference is free of charge. To register fill out the Conference Registration Form. You will be advised of availability by return email.

1:00 PM  Welcome  Don-E Coady (Dc) Emcee
1:05 PM  Opening Comments  Keith Bailey Chair, Downtown CBS
1:15 PM The Evolving Cybercrime Ecosystem Awareness and Detection of Small Business Fraud Cst. April Gibbons, RNC Economic Crime Unit
Cst. Stephanie Myers, RNC Media Relations Officer
1:55 PM  BREAK
2:05 PM   A Fireside Chat with Local Businesses Community Growth Through Collaborative Partnerships
Moderator  Don-E Coady (Dc) Emcee
Panelist  Jackie McCann-Scott Owner, Lupin Planning Group
Panelist  Danny Reid Chair, CBACC

2:50 PM NUTRITION BREAK
3:05 PM  Keynote Speaker  Dr. Tom Cooper Professor of Business, MUN
Stronger Together What CBS Small Businesses Need to Know About Growth, Risk, and Opportunity in a Changing Economy
3:50 PM  Closing Remarks   Don-E Coady (Dc) Emcee

Don-E Coady (Dc)

Brand Manager

Don-E Coady (Dc) is an experienced brand manager, with deep design, development, and writer roots and a proven growth partner and facilitator for inspiring cause-based and capital-focused brands across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Don-E Coady (Dc)

Brand Manager

What have I done?!? We’ll I’d say a LOT of meaningful, impactful work, with some very inspiring folks – and I feel like I'm just getting started. Things we may have in common: big ideas in marketing and communications, innovation and volunteerism, media, culture, and entrepreneurship! Having been recognized with several awards for community-building and creative campaigns makes me so proud because I’m an artist-first, with deep design, dev, and writer roots – so it’s a blessing to have established myself as a proven growth partner and facilitator for inspiring cause-based and capital-focused brands across Atlantic Canada and beyond; creating connection and helping everyday heroes to brand better! Looking forward to connecting with you, too – Dc.

Keith Bailey  B.Sc. Pharm, MBA

Board Chair, Downtown CBS, BIA

Opening Comments

Keith Bailey graduated from Memorial University in 1996 with a B.Sc. Pharm, He has been practising pharmacist for over 29 years and has been active in the profession in many roles. He is a regular lecturer at Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy in the area of Leadership and currently owns three Shoppers Drug Mart locations in metro St. John’s.

Keith Bailey  B.Sc. Pharm, MBA

Board Chair, Downtown CBS, BIA

Keith Bailey graduated from Memorial University in 1996 with a B.Sc. Pharm, and has been a pharmacist for over 29 years. He also completed his MBA from Memorial University in 2007. He has been active in the profession in many roles including Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board, President of the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Board of the Canadian Pharmacists Association. He is a regular lecturer at Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy in the area of Leadership and currently owns three Shoppers Drug Mart locations in metro St. John’s. Keith is also the current Chair of the Downtown CBS Business Improvement Association Board of Management.

Cst. April Gibbons

Economic Crime Unit
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

The Evolving Cybercrime Ecosystem - Awareness and Detection of Small Business Fraud

Constable Gibbons has been a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary since 2010. She was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division since 2018 and assigned to the Economic Crime Unit for approximately 7 years.

April Gibbons  B.Comm. (Co-op), BA, PhD

Economic Crime Unit
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

Constable Gibbons has been a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary since 2010. She was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division since 2018 and assigned to the Economic Crime Unit for approximately 7 years, with less than a year each in the General Investigation Unit and the Child Abuse ∓ Sexual Assault Unit. Constable Gibbons has completed additional training relating to fraud investigations, which includes cybercrime and ransomware identification.

Cst. Stephanie Myers

Media Relations Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

Constable Myers started her policing career in 2014 and spent a number of years on the frontline and operational patrol services before joining the Major Crimes Unit prior to joining the Media Relations team.

Dr. Tom Cooper  B.Comm. (Co-op), BA, PhD

Professor of Business, Memorial University

Stronger Together: What CBS Small Businesses Need to Know About Growth, Risk, and Opportunity in a Changing Economy

Dr. Tom Cooper is a Professor of Business at Memorial University and a Certified Management Consultant. He works with businesses, community organizations, industry groups, and public sector partners across Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada on strategy, risk management, governance, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Dr. Tom Cooper  B.Comm. (Co-op), BA, PhD

Professor of Business, Memorial University

Dr. Tom Cooper is a Professor of Business at Memorial University and a Certified Management Consultant. He works with businesses, community organizations, industry groups, and public sector partners across Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada on strategy, risk management, governance, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Before joining Memorial, he was a Senior Manager in PwC’s consulting practice in London, United Kingdom. Tom is particularly interested in helping small and medium-sized organizations make sound decisions in uncertain environments, identify opportunities for growth, and build stronger partnerships. His keynote will focus on what local businesses in Conception Bay South need to know about managing change, working together, and strengthening the local business community.

Jackie McCann-Scott  BComm (Hons), CFP®, CHS™

Certified Financial Planner & Owner Lupin Planning Group Inc.

Jackie McCann-Scott is an Honors graduate and Dean’s Award recipient from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Commerce program, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS).

Jackie McCann-Scott  BComm (Hons), CFP®, CHS™

Certified Financial Planner & Owner Lupin Planning Group Inc.

Jackie McCann-Scott is an Honors graduate and Dean’s Award recipient from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Commerce program, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS).

Over more than 20 years, Jackie has established herself as a leader and trusted advisor in the financial services industry. As the founder of Lupin Planning Group Inc and an active member of Advocis – The Financial Advisors Association of Canada – she recently led an initiative to help improve the financial literacy of the province’s youth and is a regular contributor to various local media and invited guest speaker, where she helps people gain clarity on a wide variety of financial topics.

A tireless volunteer and wellness advocate, she currently serves as the Chair for the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association as well as a Director with the Downtown CBS Business Improvement Association. A champion for female empowerment, in 2023 she was the proud recipient of the Mentorship Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE).

Jackie lives with her husband and their two children in the beautiful town of Conception Bay South. When not on a volleyball court or at their camper, she and her family can often be found sharing their musical talents with the community.