2023 Conference Agenda

The Conference will be in-person only this year, with sessions and events held at Credit Union Place, Summerside, PEI – with all sessions in the “Veterans’ Convention Centre” room.

Shuttle Bus

A daily shuttle will run from Quality Inn and Loyalist to the Conference centre once in the morning and once at the end of sessions. Each morning pick up is at 7:40am at Quality Inn and Loyalist, the bus will then be available after each day’s sessions outside the Microtel to return delegates to Quality Inn and Loyalist.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

8:00 AM – Breakfast
Registration desk opens

8:30 – AM – Truth and Economic Reconciliation

  • Peggy Domingue – Director of Marketing and Training, OFNEDA

9:00 – 10:00 AM Jon Kupi (Director, Global Affairs Canada) available to have discussions with delegates

  • Located in the Executive Boardroom overlooking Convention Centre Lobby

9:00 AM – A Spotlight on Canada’s Tourism Workforce: trends, forecasts and tools to keep you current!

  • Michael Burt – Vice President, Conference Board of Canada
  • Kim Marshall – Vice President, Workforce Strategies
  • Facilitator: Austin Hracs – Senior Vice President of Research and Partnerships, Vicinity Jobs
  • Facilitator: Strac Ivanov – President and Founder, Vicinity Jobs

9:45 AM – Investment Readiness and the Investor Journey

  • Rebecca Skinner – Regional Advisor, Invest in Canada

10:30 AM – Refreshment Break and Tradeshow Walk

11:00 AM – National Security and FDI: What You Need to Know

  • Bernard Li – Deputy Director, Investor Services Division, Global Affairs Canada

12:00 PM – Lunch

12:45 PM – The Lighter Side of Economic Development

  • Patrick Ledwell – Comedian

2:15 PM – Depart for Study Tours – ALL TOURS ARE FULL
Busing will be provided from the Microtel and will be returning delegates to all three hotels (Microtel, Quality Inn and Loyalist)

Tour 1: Slemon Park – Presentation and guided bus tour through Slemon Park.

Tour 2: Cavendish Farms – An informative walking tour of the Cavendish Farms Plant 2.

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Free Night – Dinner on own
Click here for some dinner suggestions

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3

8:00 AM
Registration desk opens
Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00 AM – Bernard Li (Deputy Director, Global Affairs Canada) available to have discussions with delegates

  • Located in the Executive Boardroom overlooking Convention Centre Lobby

9:00 AM – Canada’s Path to Net Zero and the Future for Local Economic Development

  • Dr. Herb Emery, Vaughan Chair in Regional Economics

9:45 AM – LEAP Year

  • Chris Fields – Speaker, Writer and Principal, Rynic

10:30 AM – Refreshment Break and Tradeshow Walk

11:00 AM – Everyday Resiliency in Ever-Changing Times

  • Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe – Expert on Resiliency and Workplace Wellness

12:00 PM – Global Perspectives – When the world is flat, how do you standout?

  • Ron Sege – Operating Partner, BGV
  • David Maasz – Serial Entrepreneur & Business Angel
  • Jason Aspin – Co-founder, Aspin Kemp & Associates
  • Jeff Cormier – Lawyer, Key Murray Law
  • Facilitator: Mike Thususka, Ec.D., Director of Economic Development, City of Summerside

1:00 PM – Lunch

1:45 PM – Digital Strategies to Attract Investment, Support Business and Boost Tourism

  • Alissa Sklar, Ph.D. – VP Marketing, GIS Planning

2:30 PM – Leveraging the Trade Commissioner Service for FDI

  • Jon Kupi – Director, Investment Promotion, Global Affairs Canada

3:15 PM – Refreshment Break

3:45 PM – Federal Update

  • Rob LeForte – Founder, First Lake Solutions

4:30 PM – Crafting the Perfect Pitch to Site Selectors, Businesses and Talent

  • Dave Parsell – CEO, Localintel

5:15 PM – Sessions End

6:30PM – President’s Reception

  • Cash bar

7:15 PM – President’s Dinner

  • Marketing Awards Cup presentation
  • Ec.D. Recipients
  • President’s remarks
  • Incoming President’s remarks
  • Presentation of 2024 Conference

Shuttle bus will pick-up at the Quality Inn and Loyalist hotels at 6:45pm. Will return from Microtel at 9:30pm (or at end of President’s Dinner).