Annual Convention & AGM
~ 2025 ~
WeeksDaysHoursMinutesSeconds
September 16 – September 19, 2025
Infinity Convention Centre ~ Ottawa, ON
2025 Convention & AGM Schedule
Updated: September 11, 2025
We are pleased to officially announce the upcoming CNAREA Annual Convention and AGM, taking place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, at the Infinity Convention Centre.
To kick off this highly anticipated event, we are offering exclusive early purchase pricing for members who register on or before July 31, 2025. This is a great opportunity to secure your spot at a reduced rate.
As a valued member of CNAREA, your participation in the Convention and AGM—whether in person or virtually—offers a wide range of professional and personal benefits. From gaining industry insights to shaping the future of the association, this event is designed to deliver meaningful value.
Below are just a few of the key advantages of attending:
Networking Opportunities
Professional Development
Voice in Governance
Recognition and Visibility
Inspiration and Fresh Ideas
Registration
*For Those Registering To Attend Virtually or In-Person*
*For Those Not Able To Attend, Register A Proxy To Vote On Your Behalf *
Cost
EARLY PURCHACE PRICING ** Until July 31, 2025
–
In Person Cost: $600.00 per member, $350.00 per family member.
Virtual Cost: No Cost
—————————————————————————————-
AFTER JULY 31, 2025
–
In Person Cost: $700.00 per member, $350.00 per family member.
Virtual Cost: No Cost
Hotel Booking
Option 1 – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa Airport
Group Code: CNA
|
Number of Rooms |
Room Type |
Group Rate |
|
15 |
Double Queens |
$159.00 |
|
15 |
Standard King |
$169.00 |
To book at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa Airport, here are your booking options:
1. Call the hotel directly (613-247-9500) and provide dates and block code CNA and the front desk staff will take care of the rest;
2. Go to www.hieottawa.com and follow the steps below:
a. Put the exact dates of check-in and check-out (they have to coincide with the group block dates)
b. Under the box for Group ID enter CNA
c. The group rate with the group name will automatically populate.
Please note, there is a cutoff date of August 16th, 2025, where any rooms that have not been picked up will be released back into our system and the discounted rate will no longer apply.
Option 2 – Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport
Group Code: CNA
–
|
Room Type |
Number of Rooms |
Group Rate |
|
Standard Two Queen |
15 rooms |
$159.00 |
|
Standard King with Pullout Sofa |
15 rooms |
$169.00 |
There is a cut-off date of August 16th, 2025 where rooms that have not been booked either individually or through a rooming list, will be released back into our system. Here are your booking options:
1) Call the hotel directly (613-248-1113) and provide dates and block code CNA and the front desk staff will take care of the rest. If you have a rooming list, please provide that as soon as you can.
2) Go to www.hampton.com
a) Enter city and dates
b) Click on “add special rate codes”
c) Enter CNA in the “group code” section.
AGM Information
All members can attend; however, only Designated members can vote.
***The AGM is being held at 1:00pm EST, Thursday September 18.***
The following members have been nominated and accepted their nomination:
Maxime Caron - DAR, Certified Appraisal Reviewer
Une bonne part de mon quotidien depuis 2017 est dédié à former, aider et conseiller les évaluateurs francophones chez CNAREA avec tout mon cœur. Comme plusieurs parmi vous, j’ai bâti une petite compagnie d’évaluation dont je suis fier et un de mes désirs les plus chers serait un jour de la partager avec un (ou plusieurs) de mes fils. Je travaille chaque jour avec deux autres DAR, Julie et Valérie, d’anciennes étudiantes en évaluation, et je me soucierai toujours davantage de la pérennité du travail que nous faisons avec en son centre les relations humaines, plutôt que de l’abondance des demandes qui nous condamnent à l’automatisation. Au plaisir de vous rencontrer en personne à la convention.
A big part of my life since 2017 is dedicated to train, help and counsel French members at CNAREA with all my heart. Like some of you, I built a small appraisal company I am proud of and one of my desires would be to share it with one (or more) of my sons in the future. I work every day with two other DARs, Julie and Valérie, former students of mine, and I will always care more about the continuity of a job I love with the human aspect at the center of it all than the volumes drowning us all in automation. I look forward to meet you in person at the convention.
Michael Casselman - DAR, Certified Appraisal Reviewer
In 2005, while working in the construction industry, Mike started down the education path to Real Estate Appraising, taking online courses through the University of British Columbia. In 2008, Mike started working in the appraisal field for a company in Napanee, Ontario.
In 2011, Mike was recruited from his appraisal profession to rejoin the construction industry, by becoming an estimator for a commercial construction company that specialized in the reconstruction and renovation of Heritage Properties in the City of Kingston, as well as Civil Construction, Design Builds and Condominium Development.
After 5 years of realizing Mike left his passion for real estate behind, and joined another appraisal team in the Quinte Region, which he has maintained a strong relationship with. In 2017, Mike obtained his DAR Designation.
In 2018, Mike started MELA Appraisal Ltd., in 2018 working for a variety of AMC’s and continues to run it until this day. There are four other appraiser’s that do work under MELA Appraisal Ltd., all of whom are CNAREA members. In June of 2020, Mike successfully obtained his Certified Appraisal Reviewer Designation.
Over the past 4 years, Mike has been a part of a CNAREA Discipline Committee Hearing as a request from our past Executive Director. Mike was mostly recently part of the Ethics Committee of CNAREA.
Outside of real estate appraising, Mike operates a separate real estate rental company, for properties under the MELA Appraisal umbrella, which consists of multi-unit and single family rentals.
When Mike is not working, you will most likely find him at the arena with his wife and one or both of his children. Both children play representative hockey in Napanee, where he resides. Mike helps coach his daughter’s hockey team and is Vice-President of the Napanee Crunch Female Hockey Organization for the past three years. Prior to his current roles, Mike has coached competitive hockey from the introductory initiation programs all the way to junior hockey in 2002.
Mike resides in Napanee, ON with his wife Beth and two children.
Matthew Foss - DAR, Certified Appraisal Reviewer
I began my appraisal career in 2017 and quickly found it to be both a challenge and a passion. In 2022 I earned my DAR designation, followed by my Certified Appraisal Reviewer designation in 2023. In 2024, I was honoured to join CNAREA’s Long Range Planning Committee, where I’ve enjoyed helping shape the future of our profession.
In May 2023, I purchased Appraisal Solutions, and since then have been proud to grow it into a firm that now supports 11 appraisers serving communities across Alberta. Building and mentoring this team has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career so far.
Outside of appraisal, I’ve been proud to serve my community as a councillor for the Village of Stirling for the past eight years. That work has included time as the chair of the regional peace officer commission, current chair of the municipal planning commission, a 6-year term on the board of Ridge Utilities and participating in the regional assessment review board.
I believe my passion for the appraisal industry, an ability to think outside the box, and experience as a member of numerous boards and committees would be an asset for continued growth and sustainability of CNAREA if I were to be elected to the board. If you would like to learn more about me please do not hesitate to reach out.
Robert MacDonald - DAC, Certified Appraisal Reviewer
Rob joined CNAREA as a Candidate Member in 2009 and obtained his DAR and Certified Appraisal Reviewer Designations in 2010, working in Southeastern Ontario, and in 2017 obtain the DAC Designation.
In 2012 he began teaching appraisal courses for the Association and in 2014 Rob was elected to the CNAREA Board of Directors. He has also served on several CNAREA Committees, including the Membership, Education, and Ethics/Discipline/Professional Standards Committees. In 2016 Rob was awarded Member of the Year honors
In August 2016 Rob was hired by CNAREA as the Chief Executive Officer effective January 01, 2017, helping steer the Association through some major challenges, including moving the offices to Ontario, the Covid Pandemic and meeting several other challenges to the industry and our Members.
He also served as the Association’s representative to The Appraisal Foundation Advisory Committee (TAFAC). Rob remained as an active Board Member and CEO until November 2022; at which time he resigned as the CEO.
He maintains an active Appraisal practice in southeastern Ontario and is ready to once again help guide the Association through the next set of challenges ahead.
Ken Pickett - DAR, Certified Appraisal Reviewer
I first became a candidate appraiser in 2006 and later DAR and Certified Appraisal Reviewer designations in 2012. My experience led me to a General Manager’s position at a large appraisal firm, however I believe I am better suited working in the field instead of the office. I have since returned to being an independent contractor, with the same company since 2013.
Over the past 19 years, I have been exposed to many different market conditions, and in each situation, have learned valuable lessons about the appraisal industry. A position on the CNAREA board of directors would allow me to help steer the organization that has been such a significant partner in my career. CNAREA provided me and many others with opportunities other organizations would not, and I believe this is what makes work.
Since my first in-class seminar in a hotel meeting room, I have been told that appraisers will be replaced by computers and now AI, but it’s been nearly 20 years and our opinions are more valuable than ever.
Raphaël Thibault - DAR
Raphaël Thibault is the co-owner and Vice-President of Immovex, a real estate appraisal firm based in Brossard Québec, with a team of 26 employees, including 22 accredited appraisers who are members of the OEAQ, the AIC, and CNAREA.
He holds a certificate in administration from UQAM and an AEC in building inspection, from Institut Grasset which guided him toward a career in real estate appraisal. Raphaël began his career in 2011 with Leroux Beaudry Picard and joined Immovex in 2013, where he steadily advanced before taking over the company in 2023 as Vice-President.
Always focused on innovation, Raphaël is committed to modernizing appraisal processes and prioritizing employee training and development to raise industry standards. He is also an active participant in industry conferences and conventions, strengthening both his expertise and his contribution to the profession.
Announcements
