Economic update
Event offers opportunity to establish relationships with potential clients
Summit brings together business, community representatives.
Progress updates on some local businesses and a discussion of the role of immigration in Cape Breton’s economic future are among the items on the agenda for Thursday’s Cape Breton Partnership investors summit.
The day-long summit takes place at the Keltic Lodge in Ingonish Beach. Each year, about 200 people from across Cape Breton take part in the event.
“(They) talk about the positive things that are happening in the region as well as ways we can address some of our current challenges,” Cape Breton Partnership CEO Keith MacDonald said in an interview. “This year, we have a number of updates from businesses that are moving forward some projects.”
MacDonald said he had gotten positive feedback from those taking part in previous summits, saying it gives businesses a chance to connect with each other, establish new relationship with potential clients. The speakers also provide new information about what is taking place throughout Cape Breton, he added.
Jeremy White of Big Spruce Brewing, Shannon Campbell of Kameron Collieries/Donkin Mine and Dean Hart of Bear Head LNG will all provide updates on their respective ventures.
Campbell is originally from Cape Breton and is now vicepresident of project development and external affairs with Kameron Coal’s Donkin project. Before joining Kameron Coal in March, he managed several underground operations in Timmins, Ont., the Northwest Territories and on Vancouver Island.
The keynote speaker will be Tareq Hadhad of Peace By Chocolate in Antigonish.
MacDonald will also update the activities of the partnership.
Some of the local organizations involved in the cultural sector strategy that is to be released on Friday — including Lori Burke of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design and Gaelic College CEO Rodney MacDonald —will also outline some of the activities in that field.
Pierre Cléroux, vice-president of research and chief economist with the Business Development Bank of Canada, will provide an overview of economic conditions globally, nationally and regionally, MacDonald said.
“(It’s) so that our attendees can learn and anticipate economic data for the upcoming year,” MacDonald said.
Heather Coulombe of Farmer’s Daughter Country Market in Whycocomagh and Shibin Xu of Bite of Asia in Sydney will also talk about some of the opportunities related to immigration.
To register for the summit phone, 902-562-0122 or email, kate@capebretonpartnership.com.