By Liam Verster

Economic Development Opportunities

Growing the North Conference to feature Google rep, Argonauts CEO, and more

Jan 17, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The 11th annual Growing the North Conference is going at Evergreen Park on February 19 and 20, 2020, and features a range of speakers and topics.

The two day event is designed to bring together municipal and business leaders, to hear from experts on how the economy is faring and what the future holds, from various speakers with a wide range of experience.

The conference runs on Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20, and is jointly run by eight partners, that include both the City and County of Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview, and the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce.

Marketing Communications Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, Tom Pura, says the event features a range of experienced and unique speakers with interesting topics and perspectives to share.

The speakers include:

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• Fab Dolan, Head of Marketing, Google Canada – Redefining Business in the Great Age of Innovation
• Brent Nicol, Business Development Manager, Xarvio – 10 Years of Innovation in Agriculture
• Kelly Lendsay, President and CEO, Indigenous Works – Making Inclusion Personal
• Roberto Gallardo Assistant Director, Purdue Center for Regional Development – Rural Economic Development in the Digital Age
• Gerry Goobie, Goobie Tulk Consulting; Dominik Rozwadowski, IHS Markit; Lorna Young, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada – Moderated Oil & Gas Panel
• Chitra Anand, Communications and Marketing Executive – The Greenhouse Approach: Cultivating Intrapreneurship in Companies and Organizations
• Ian Morrison & Nathan Ashcroft, Stantec – Canada’s Regional Advantages, Ways to De-Risk Projects and Overcome These New Challenges
• Joel Bokenfohr Agriculture Transition Specialist, Farm Credit Canada – Succession Planning
• TBA (TC Energy); TBA (Pembina); Buck Rogers, CN Rail – Moderated Transportation & Distribution Panel

Pura says wrapping up the event is former all-star running back, and current President and CEO of the CFL’s Toronto Argonaughts, Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons.

“It’s been a while since he’s been up in this area, and we’re thrilled to have him. He’s just full of motivation, and we’re thrilled to have ‘The Pinball’ coming to town.”

Pura adds many of the speakers he doesn’t know all that well, but came highly recommended, and he’s excited to hear from everyone featured at the conference.

“It’s always exciting to have speakers that have never been here, and are coming with just a fresh enthusiasm, and a real different perspective, and a genuine excitement for being there. That’s what we always look forward to with an event like this.”

“I mean, to have someone with the stature of ‘Pinball’ coming is great, Chitra Anand and Fab Dolan, they’re credentials are off the charts. It’s just so much fun to watch these different speakers go up on stage, and just wow the audience.”

This year, the conference also features some networking opportunities. The Northern Hospitality Night is being held on Tuesday, February 18, from 5-8 p.m., and the Networking Event will run at the TARA Centre from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19.

“So, we’re excited about those. The more opportunities people have to meet, and to talk, and to discuss what’s going on, then they can share their successes and their challenges, and try to go back to their municipalities and their communities and bring some really exciting ideas back, and help the economy grow.”

He says this event really opens doors between businesses and municipalities, and helps grow industries, sectors, and partnerships within the Peace Region. Pura says they not only want to feature economic development, but also balance the business with motivation and inspiration.

“And we also to hear from the political realm. With the message that the Legislature isn’t going back until [February] 25th, hopefully that opens the doors for representatives from the Government of Alberta to be part of the Conference as well. We’d love to be able to bring that perspective to people as well. It’s important to hear from the governing bodies to find out what the future holds for all Albertans.”

The presentations begin at 8:30 a.m., and run until around 4 p.m. on both the 19 and 20 of February. The full schedule can be found here.

Tickets, which are available online, not only gain access to both days of the Conference, but both networking events as well. Registration will be open starting at 7:30 on Wednesday the 19th, and personnel will be around the next day to register anyone who missed the first day.