The Greater Peterborough Area will be welcoming 300 Economic Development Professionals from every province and territory in Canada as the 2011 Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) conference begins tomorrow.
The conference, which runs from October 1-4, will have an estimated $1,000,000 impact on the local economy. This is only the 3rd time in its 48 year history that the conference has been held in a small city with the past conferences being held in Vancouver (2009) and Quebec City (2010).
“We’re extremely pleased to be able to bring our national conference to Peterborough in 2011. This small urban centre has been able to meet the needs of the conference and offer unique highlights that we haven’t seen in other communities,” EDAC President Dave Paul stated. “As final preparations are coming together, it’s apparent that we are going to have a great conference with outstanding education and entertainment.”
The steering committee for this years conference has strived to make as many local connections as possible with Siemens Canada being a major industry partner and field trip host, Wind Mobile represented as a title sponsor and Flying Colours Corporation represented as a partner and field trip host. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) have also partner to bring this event to the Peterborough Community.
The agenda includes local Director of the Biomaterials Research Program at Trent University, Suresh Narine, a field trip to Trent University and keynote presentations by internationally known, Don Tapscott (via video conference), Tom Rand, and Sir Terry Matthews.
Guests will also have the pleasure of hearing a presentation by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science & Technology) and FedDev (Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario) during a lunch at the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough featuring this year’s Kawartha Choice Burger winner.
Sunday night is Peterborough’s night to shine starting with a local marche style dinner under a tent beside the Historic Peterborough Liflock and ending with a local entertainment showcase featuring Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Beau Dixon, The Three Martinis and the Silverhearts, hosted by Mike Melnik. With plenty of local fare and nightlife included, the region will be well highlighted to guests.
