October 23, 2026 | 9 AM ~ 4 PM EDT (UTC-4) | Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
We are living through a period of profound and accelerating transformation. Technological disruption, geopolitical volatility, climate uncertainty and shifting societal expectations demand a new kind of readiness. Uncertainty and ambiguity now permeate every aspect of work and life. For individuals and organizations to thrive, we need a paradigm shift: from control and rigidity to agility, fluidity, openness and dynamism.
Join us at the Agility in the 21st Century Conference, a one-day gathering exploring what it takes to thrive amid accelerating change.
The conference examines organizational resilience, sense-making in complex systems, strategic openness in leadership and the role of creativity and human-centric approaches in turning uncertainty into opportunity; and explores the conditions, enablers and levers of agility across four interconnected streams:
Hosted by the Foresight Lab at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, this is a landmark gathering of scholars, practitioners, policymakers and innovators committed to understanding what it truly means to lead and thrive in the 21st century.
Click here to view the Conference Program including Speaker Profiles.
Ends by September 20 or after first 50 registrations, whichever comes first.
Participants have the option of bundling their conference with the Executive Masterclass on Foresight and Futures Literacy.
Available for 3 or more participants; email foresight@mcmaster.ca for details.
Participants also have the option to attend the Opening Gala Dinner for the Strategic Foresight Certification Program on Thursday, October 22 at a discounted rate.
Register
Executive Masterclass on Foresight & Futures Literacy | October 22, 2026 | Art Gallery of Hamilton – Can be bundled with the Agility Conference
Strategic Foresight Certification Program | October 19 – November 6, 2026 | Hybrid (Hamilton, Burlington & Online) – Certification Program Fee includes Day 1 of in-person residency at the Agility Conference
UNESCO Co-Chair on Anticipatory Systems for Innovation and New Venture Creation
University of Ottawa
Senior Vice President Operations
Dialogue
Partner and National Leader of Technology Strategy & Digital Transformation Services
KPMG
National Lead Partner for Digital Transformation and Lifelong Learning and the AI Academy
Ernst & Young – Canada
The Agility in the 21st Century Conference is part of the Week of the Futures, the Foresight Lab’s premier annual event series celebrating strategic foresight, futures literacy and values-based leadership.
Participants can attend the event(s) that best fit your goals, or combine them for an immersive week of complementary experiences.
The series also include an Executive Masterclass on Foresight and Futures Literacy and the 2026 cohort of the Strategic Foresight Certification Program. Participants can attend the event(s) that best fit your goals, or combine them for an immersive week of complementary experiences.
The Agility in the 21st Century Conference and the Executive Masterclass can be bundled at an exclusive rate. Group rates and invoicing are available for 3 and more participants.
Attendees of the Agility in the 21st Century Conference and/or the Executive Masterclass are also eligible for a VIP discount on tickets to the Strategic Foresight Certification Program’s Opening Gala Dinner, themed Exploring Futures through Taste, Art and Imagination.
