Schedule of Events (draft)

• 7:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Registration Open
• 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast + Networking + Tradeshow
• 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. – Official Welcome
• 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Economic Outlook Keynote
  Navigating the Trade War: Collaborating for Economic Success
  A timely big-picture look at the economy—starting with U.S. and Canadian trends before zooming in on British Columbia and the Southern Interior. Explore what key indicators like labour markets, inflation, housing, and population shifts really mean for our region. We’ll also highlight major projects and local factors shaping the future. This session offers clear insights to help businesses, communities, and leaders navigate today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
  
  Ivy Ruan, Senior Analyst, Economics, Central 1 Credit Union
  
• 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break + Networking + Tradeshow
• 10:30 – 12:00 – Forging Ahead Together: Lessons in Collaborative Economic Development in the Southern Interior
  Highlighting collaborative economic development, showcasing how governments, Indigenous communities, businesses, and non-profits partner to achieve shared goals. Featuring examples from across the region, we’ll examine how collaboration addresses challenges, leverages unique assets, and delivers tangible community benefits.
  Moderator to be announced
  Panelists:
  Kelley Glazer, Executive Director, Destination Osoyoos
  Charles Cornell, Manager, Community Futures Okanagan
  Krista Mallory, Manager, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
  
  Pete Bourke, Executive Director, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce
  Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director, Community Futures North Okanagan
  Kent Fawcett, Co-Executive Director, Kamloops Food Policy Council
  
• 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch + Networking + Tradeshow
  
• 12:45 – 1:35 p.m. – Cutting Through the Noise: An Unbiased Look at Economic Development Data Tools
  Where are you getting your economic and demographic data from? It’s more critical than ever to find and use good, timely data to make informed decisions with our limited resources. Where can we get good data? How much will it cost? How can we organize it so that it makes sense to local governments, businesses and potential investors? This workshop will introduce you to several valuable economic development tools and approaches, looking at the pros and cons of each.
  
  Mike Stolte, President, Centre for Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership
  
• 1:35 – 2:45 p.m. – Moving Forward: The Role of Transportation in Regional Economic Success
  Transportation is a foundational element of economic development — shaping how people, goods, and services move through and beyond a region. This session brings together panelists from across sectors to explore how transportation strategies can foster stronger, more connected, and more competitive regional economies.              
  Moderator: Myles Bruns, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
  Panelists:
  Steve Sirette, Executive Director Southern Interior, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit
  Phil McIntyre-Paul, Shuswap Trails Alliance
  Damian Couture, CAO, Village of Cache Creek
  Joanne Sweeting, Executive Director, Tourism Golden
  Rebecca Richards, Grow & Connect Food Supply Chain Initiative
• 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Break + Networking + Tradeshow
• 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. – Pathways to Indigenous Economic Prosperity: Building Partnerships for Shared Success
  Indigenous communities across the Southern Interior are advancing innovative projects that strengthen local economies, create opportunities, and foster resilience. This panel highlights Indigenous leaders who will share success stories, lessons learned, and strategies for collaboration.
  Moderator: Dale M. Jackson, Executive Director, Economic Development, Skw’lax te Secwépemcúl̓ecw (Little Shuswap Lake Band)
  
  Panelists:
  Paul Donald, Simpcw First Nation, DKP Consulting
  Grahame Go, CEO, Splatsin Development Corporation
• 4:45 – 5:15 p.m. – Tradeshow + Networking
• 5:15 – 6:30 p.m. – Time on your own
• 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. – Banquet + Live Music