The 15th Annual Vancouver Island Economic Summit 2021: Hybrid Event | VIEA | 27 October 2021 | Vancouver Island Conference Centre & Virtually, 101 Gordon St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J8, Canada

The Vancouver Island State of the Island Economic Summit provides a venue and a forum for businesses and stakeholders on Vancouver Island to understand the State of the Island Economy. Youth, First Nations, Political Leaders, Business Leaders, Small Business and other inspirational leaders on Vancouver Island participate in championing actions which will position Vancouver Island in the Global Marketplace.

What is the state of the island economic summit?
The Economic Summit is an annual gathering of business, community and government leaders sharing ideas, asking questions, networking, learning about new initiatives, and exploring opportunities. Anyone is welcomed to register and participate in the broad range of sessions which revolve around VIEA’s core principals of collaboration to add vitality to the Vancouver Island economy:
• promoting a sustainable and diversified economy for all residents of Vancouver Island economic region;
• promoting strong communities and First Nations along with careful stewardship of our natural resources;
• providing regional leadership for regional business attraction, retention and expansion;
• promoting regional initiatives that strengthens economic capacity;
• positioning Vancouver Island as an attractive option for business investment;
• fostering regional economic growth and diversification.

Who Should Attend:
Anyone with interest and investment in the Vancouver Island economy & the future outlook of Vancouver Island. Everyone participating will receive a complimentary copy of the 6th annual ‘State of the Island Economic Report’.

2021 Speakers

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Professor, Food Distribution and Policy Faculty of Management, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Canada; Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab

Honourable John Horgan
Premier of British Columbia

Susan Mowbray
Partner & Senior Economist, MNP LLP

Carlota Sanz
Co-Founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab and DEAL’s Strategic Lead

Bentley Allen
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, UVic

Israel Alvarez
Owner, MAiiz Nixtamal Tortilleria

Martha Barber
Owner, Martha’s Delectables

Tyler Brown
Councilor, City of Nanaimo

Christine Burych
Founder, Starlingbrook leadership Consulting

Andrew Chunilall
CEO, Community Foundations of Canada

Trevor Cootes
Councilor, Huu ay aht First Nation

Dan Dagg (Moderator)
President, H2 Accelerator

Robert Dennis
Chief, Huu ay aht First Nation

Carol Dirom
Owner, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish

Jessica Duncan
Owner, Singing Bowl Granola Inc.

Peter Elkins (Moderator)
Founder, Project X

Ben Geselbrecht
Councilor, City of Nanaimo

Paul Gill
Owner, Sutra Foods

Sharon Hooton
Owner, Woodfire Spice

Dan Hurley (Moderator)
Principal, Hurley Martin Group

Shannon Janzen
Vice President, Partnerships & Sustainability and Chief Forester, Western Forest Products

Denise Lloyd, MA, FCPHR
Founder, Engaged HR

Kera McHugh
Digital Innovation Group Member, and Community Engagement Director, Comox Valley Community Arts Council

Dave McIntyre
Owner, Fierce Fish

Kate Moran
President & CEO, Ocean networks Canada

Naoufel Mrini
Senior Consultant, Facilitator Talent and Leadership Development Montreal, QC

Joe Perkins (Moderator)
Anchor, CHEK News

Louisa Plant
Social Impact Lead, Nordicity West

Jean-Luc Plante
Director, Organizational Development and Global Training Training, CSL Group (Montreal, QC)

Chad Rickaby
Economic Impact Lead, Nordicity West

Kristi Rivait (Moderator)
Director, Partnerships and Programs, Scale Collaborative

Melissa Sanderson
Assistant Deputy Minister, Forest Policy and Indigenous Relations Division, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations

Graham Sakaki
Regional Research Institute Manager, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute, Vancouver Island University

Ian Simpson
CEO, Petroglyph Development Group

Naina Sloan
Assistant Deputy Minister, BC, Western Economic Diversification Canada

Graham Truax
Executive Director, Innovation Island

Bret Torok-Both (Moderator)
Senior Manager Commercial Banking, Coast Capital Savings

Angela van den Hout
Director of Economic Development, Malahat Nation

Bruce Williams (Moderator)
CEO, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Woodland
Chair, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance and CEO, Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood LP

Stephanie Woodward
Founder, Agency II Change, Inc.

Thomas Zaban (Moderator)
President, Reliable Controls

Charles Short
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, Regional Operations (COAST), Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development

Alex Dunae
CTO, Tickit

Michael Garfinkle
Founder, docLogica Medical Inc.

Clive Goodinson
Founder / CEO, Pixton Comics

J. Marie Takahashi
Owner, Two Crows Craft Foods Ltd.

Josi Billinghurst
Owner, Propeller One Ventures

2021 Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSORS:
• City of Nanaimo
• EDC
• MNP
• Vancouver Island University

GOLD SPONSORS:
• Array
• Fortis BC

MEDIA SPONSORS:
• Black Press Media
• IChek
• Douglas
• H2
• Pattison Media

SILVER SPONSORS:
• BCFerries
• CPA
• ICET
• Inland
• Port Alberni Port Authority
• SW Event Technology
• Reliable Controls
• TD
• Vancouver Island Conference Centre
• VIREB

BRONZE SPONSORS:
• BC Hydro
• BC Treaty Commission
• Blackberry Active
• Coast Bastion Hotel
• Community Futures
• Futurpreneur Canada
• Haphoto Image is Everything
• Islands Savings
• Mosaic Forest Management
• Norhwest Properties
• Nort of Nanaimo
• Royal Roads University
• Used
• Vi-Media
• Western Forest Products