Conference Schedule for AMSOV Toronto Conference
Theme: “Classical Music on the World Stage"​

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th,  2026

3:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Pre-registration on second floor (Royal York Hotel, 100 Front St. W., Toronto)

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DAY 1, THURSDAY, MAY  14th, 2026

Welcome to the AMSOV Conference.  Parking is on the east side of the Hotel; valet parking is available there. Hotel registration on the main floor.

​9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

AMSOV Conference Registration Table is open on the second floor outside the meeting rooms

12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Pre-conference tours

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Meeting of outgoing Board of Directors (Board members only) - Location TBD

4:00 – p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception – Royal York Hotel – Library Room (2nd floor)

Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres

6:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Transportation to Roy Thomson Hotel. (pickup and return at hotel entrance, on Front Street)

7:30 p.m. Concert – Roy Thomson Hall. 

The Programme is:

Gustavo Gimeno, conductor

Abel Selaocoe, cello

Jessie Montgomery: Cello Concerto TSO co-commission/Canadian premiere) 30’

Intermission (Maestro’s Lounge, cocktails)

Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman 10’

Wagner: The Ring without Words: selections from Gotterdammerung 28’

10:15 p.m. – 11:00 – Post Concert

“Meet and Greet” with Gustavo Gimeno in the Maestro’s Lounge with cocktails

11:15 p.m. transportation back to hotel (artists entrance by security - volunteers will assist you.

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DAY 2, FRIDAY, MAY 15th, 2026​

7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

AMSOV Conference Registration Table

7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast and table topic discussions

All breakfasts will be held in the York Room

There will be table topic discussions at breakfast.  Please select your breakfast then sit at the table with the sign identifying the topic you wish to discuss.   Each table will have a Facilitator.   Topics are:

Membership (recruiting, training, expectations of members, cost of membership,

Benefits to members)

Communications (web site, social media, online or print newsletters)

Leadership (recruiting new leaders, training leaders, leadership skills)

Fundraising (menu of fundraising options, how to manage fundraising projects,

how to recruit volunteers for them, how to obtain sponsors)

Technology (website development including design formats, online payments,

Volunteer group application, etc.)

         Official opening of AMSOV CONFERENCE

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Canadian and American National Anthems performed by youth choir

Land Acknowledgement (Debra Walker)

Welcoming remarks – Mark Williams, Beck Family Executive CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Welcome to and the Relationship between the Orchestra Musicians and Volunteers)

9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Opening ASMOV BUSINESS MEETING NO. 1.  (delegates)

            All meetings to be held in the Library Room

This is the biennial meeting of the AMSOV membership.  According to the AMSOV Bylaws, the group of volunteers from each city have one vote, so please sit according to your home city.  Your delegates will need to appoint a designated volte to cast your groups vote.  However, we do not anticipate any votes at this meeting.

Meeting chaired by Don Dagenais, AMSOV President.  

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Conference Session No. 1

Panel Discussion on Relationships with Government and the Arts (Canadian perspective)

Guest speaker: Matt McGeachy – TSO Manager of Government Relations.  Library Room      

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Coffee Break

            York Room

            Coffee, tea, and water

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Library Room

Guest Speaker:  The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Previous Lieut. Governor of Ontario

“International Perspective/ TSO contribution to the City”

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon

AMSOV Business Meeting No. 2

Presentations of Standing and Innovation Awards

Moderator: Don Dagenais

12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch             

York Room. Entertainment to be announced.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Conference Session No. 2

Guest speaker – Christopher Alexander

“Importance of Government Funding with the Arts”

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Free Time

6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Dinner – Biagio’s Ristorante (155 King Street East) (transportation provided,

meet at front lobby of hotel, Front Street)

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DAY 3 – SATURDAY, MAY 16th, 2026​

7:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

Registration (2nd floor)

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast and Table Discussion

Topics for consideration:

Membership (recruiting, new ideas, expectations of members, cost of memberships, benefits of membership)

Communications (website, social media, online or print newsletters)

Technology (website development)

Leadership (recruiting new leaders, graining leaders and skills)

Fundraising (different fundraising options, how to manage fundraising projects)

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 noon

Conference Session No. 3

Panel discussion on Attracting and Retaining Volunteers

                        Library Room

Panelists will discuss issues involved with attracting and retaining volunteers, including a discussion on our aging volunteer force and how to appeal to younger volunteers.

Moderator and panelists to be announced.   

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Coffee Break

Coffee, Tea, Water

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Guest Speaker: Alex Sarian, Author  (Edmonton, Alberta)

“The Audacity of Relevance: Critical Conversations on the Future of Arts and Culture.”  (Book signing if requested)

Discussion / Q & A

12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch

2:30 p.m.  – 3:30 p.m.

Closing AMSOV Business Meeting No. 3.  

Meeting chaired by D. Dagenais, AMSOV President)

Election of AMSOV Officers and Directors for the 2026-2028 term.

Presentation on next biennial conference to be held in the spring of 2028

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Conference Session No. 4

Guest speaker on DEI as they apply to volunteer organizations.

4:00  p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Free time

6:00 p.m.

Gala Dinner -  Royal York Hotel, 100 front Street

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DAY 4 – SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026

9:00 a.m.

AMSOV Board Member Breakfast

Breakfast for only the outgoing and incoming members of the Board of Directors

of AMSOV in the Library Room.

12:30 – 2:00 Post Conference Tours

Participants have made their own arrangements.