What does the future hold for the economy, technology and energy?
Those are the issues leading industry speakers will be addressing Tuesday, May 10 during the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce's Economic Summit 2.0.
Chamber executive director Michael Hind said about 250 business leaders will be converging on the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver to hear economic, energy and technology future forecasts that could be critical information for their industries.
"It's about leading through uncertain times," Hind said. "[The question being asked is] how do you manage the change, how do you manage when times are always changing?"
The panelists are being organized into three categories: technology, energy and a CEO panel, with some notable speakers, including Michael van Hemmen, public policy manager with Uber, which has been in the media of late with its push to be allowed to operate in B.C.
"What role does technology play? It's a big issue and we have some local companies that are leading in that area," said Hind, who noted other technology panelists will be Wilkins Chung, co-founder of A Thinking Ape Software; Greg Malpass, CEO and founder of Traction on Demand; and Ryan Peterson, CEO of Finger Food Studios, which is partnering with School District 43 to introduce computer coding to students as young as 12 with a programmable app and hardware called a Sphero.
As well, Sherry Cooper, chief economist with Dominion Lending Centres, will provide an economic forecast. There will also be an energy panel with speakers from BC Hydro, Resource Works and Fortis, and a CEO panel featuring Dave Hood of the Original Cakerie; Dave Lanphear, president of Envision Financial; Gary Mauris, CEO Mortgage Centre Canada and president and co-founder of Dominion Lending Centres; and Faye Wightman, former president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation.
The event runs 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam and registration is available at www.tricitieschamber.com
