The Fraser Valley Business Coalition has revealed the official program for the inaugural Fraser Valley Economic Summit taking place at the University of the Fraser Valley on Tuesday, May 21.
The FVBC, made up of the Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack and Mission chambers, stated that the summit will be a gathering of the region’s business leaders and key voices to discuss the future needs of the Fraser Valley, showcase local innovators and current projects and announce a list of action items on behalf of the coalition for British Columbia’s next provincial government.
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The keynote address for the event will be made by Ken Peacock, the senior vice-president and chief economist of the Business Council of British Columbia.
There are four expert panels scheduled including:
- The Building Blocks of Growth: Addressing the Fraser Valley’s Infrastructure Deficit: Featuring Parm Sidhu – general manager of Abbotsford International Airport, Kelly Scott – CEO of BC Roadbuilders Association and Troy Ganzeveled – Semá:th First Nation councillor.
- Fraser Valley Mayors Panel: Featuring Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens, Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward, Mission Mayor Paul Horn and Chilliwack Deputy Mayor Jason Lum. Moderated by Tzeachten First Nation Chief, Derek Epp.
- Seeds of Innovation - Ag tech and Food Security for all of British Columbia: Featuring Dr. Lenore Newman – Canada research chair in food security, Stan Vander Waal – owner of Rainbow Greenhouses and past chair of the BC Agriculture Council, Dr. Rahul Singh – the director of innovation and technology for the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation and Gavin Dew – chief strategy officer for the Abbotsford Tech District.
- Investing in the Fraser Valley’s Workforce and People Panel: Featuring Dr. James Mandigo – provost and vice-president academic at UFV, Dr. David Burns – associate vice-president academic at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Lesa Lacey – business manager at Lacey Developments Ltd. and Kim Tamminga – transformation business partner at Marshall Aerospace. Moderated by CBC journalist Baneet Braich.
The event will also feature a government address at lunch. Event organizers hinted that there will be another major speaker announcement in the coming weeks.
The FVES runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.
Event tickets cost $229, but that price increases to $250 by May 18. For more information, visit business.abbotsfordchamber.com/chamber-calendar/Details/fraser-valley-economic-summit-1080563.