BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20250318T110000Z DTEND:20250318T183000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Economic Engine DESCRIPTION:Unlocking Productivity: A Fresh Blueprint for Success \n\nThe Halifax Chamber's annual Economic Engine Forum is back! Join us for our third annual Economic Engine Event: Unlocking Productivity on March 18th\, 2025. \n\n\n\nThis event intends to showcase a positive\, realistic\, and optimistic narrative of where Nova Scotia's economy is heading through the perspective of political leaders\, industry experts\, and economic professionals. With this year's forum focusing on Nova Scotia's wanning productivity levels\, we intend to explore how our region can unlock private sector investments\, leverage new technologies\, and reduce internal trade barriers. \n\nHighlights of the day include:\n\n\n Fireside chat with HRM CAO Cathie O'Toole and Mayor Andy Fillmore\n Unlocking Private Sector Investment Panel\n AI Adoption Discussion\n Canadian Leadership in the Clean Growth Economy with Canadian Climate Institute's Sachi Gibson\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMayor Andy Fillmore\n\n\n\n\n\nMayor Andy Fillmore\n\nMayor Fillmore is a Canadian politician who has been the mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality since November 5\, 2024. He previously served as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament for the riding of Halifax from 2015 until 2024. \n\n \n\n\n\nHRM CAO Cathie O'Toole\n\nHalifax Regional Council appointed Cathie O'Toole as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Halifax Regional Municipality on Jan. 1\, 2023.\n\nO'Toole brings more than three decades of leadership and public sector experience to the role most recently as the General Manager of Halifax Water\, a role she has held since 2019. From 2011-2019 she was the Director of Corporate Services/CFO for the municipally-owned water utility. Prior to joining Halifax Water\, she worked with the Halifax Regional Municipality for 10 years in a variety of roles including Director of Finance/CFO and Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRhiannon Davies\n\nSandpiper Ventures\n\nA native of New Brunswick\, Rhiannon's business leadership spans Europe\, Asia\, South and North America. She was on the Board of Directors that took GrandVision N.V.\, a CAD$ 5.5 Billion revenue retailer with businesses in 45 countries\, through a successful IPO on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Rhiannon has driven the target identification\, due diligence\, acquisition\, integration and move to profitability of many companies. She thrives in fast moving\, fast growth environments\, and works in executive and board roles in private\, public and non-profit organizations. Rhiannon believes in the need to support entrepreneurship and innovation to deliver meaningful change in business\, community\, and social development. She actively supports this belief by serving as a mentor and angel investor.\n\n\n\n\n\nJeff Larsen\n\nCreative Destruction Lab\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\nEliminating barriers to internal trade and labour mobility is key to making it easier for Canadians to do business with each other from coast to coast to coast and unlocking Canada's full economic potential. Learn how the Government of Canada is working with closely provinces and territories to expedite efforts to remove barriers to internal trade and labour mobility\, to support faster and easier access to domestic markets and creating opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow. \n\nWith:\n\n\n\nJeannine Ritchot\n\nAssistant Deputy Minister\, Multilateral Relations Intergovernmental Affairs Privy Council Office\n\n \n\n\n\nJay Barber\n\nDirector of Internal Trade\, Privy Council Office\, Government of Canada\n\n\n\n\n\nHaley Brown\,\n\nExecutive Director\, Wine Growers Nova Scotia\n\nHaley Brown is an accomplished stakeholder relations and business development executive with over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships\, government relations\, and industry advocacy\, living in the Annapolis Valley. As Executive Director of Wine Growers Nova Scotia\, she has led advocacy efforts\, expanded market share\, and strengthened industry collaboration. As Principal of Plum Strategies\, she advises clients on stakeholder engagement\, government relations\, and market development. Previously\, she held leadership roles in government\, technology\, sports\, tourism and international marketing\, focusing on business growth and economic development. Haley holds a Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a BA in Communication and Culture from the University of Calgary."\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHear from three speakers on AI adoption and the critical role it will play it productivity gains locally and beyond.\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer LaPlante\n\nChief Growth & Investment Officer\n\nCanada's Ocean Supercluster\n\nJennifer LaPlante is the Chief Growth & Investment Officer for Canada's Ocean Supercluster\, providing strategic growth and oversight of OSC's investment portfolio. Jennifer's career has been focused on data\, analytics and technology. As the Executive Director of DeepSense\, she drove economic growth through increased comprehension and adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Canada's ocean sector. She holds an MBA and an MSc in Computing and Data Analytics. Jennifer is a member of the Public Awareness Working Group under the Government of Canada Advisory Council on AI and is a co-organizer of the Halifax Chapter of Women in Machine Learning and Data Science (WiMLDS).\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Rita Orji\n\nProfessor\, Faculty of Computer Science\n\nDalhousie University\n\n\n\n\n\nChris Johnston\n\nCEO of Levership\, a division of Symplicity Designs\n\nChris brings well over a decade of leadership experience in information services and technology. Since joining Levership\, he has been instrumental in developing AI-driven processes that enhance productivity at every stage of the sales and marketing funnel. Under his leadership\, Levership has started adding sessions specifically focused on helping businesses integrate AI into their workflows\, ensuring they can streamline decision-making\, optimize operations\, and unlock new levels of efficiency in an increasingly digital world.\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPedro Antunes\n\nChief Economist\, The Conference Board of Canada\n\nPedro Antunes is the Chief Economist at The Conference Board of Canada where he provides insights and general direction for economic products\, which include reports and economic indicators about Canada\, its regions\, and sectors. He provides professional testimony before parliamentary and senate committees along with media appearances in both English and French. Pedro is widely sought to speak to industry leaders and decision-makers on a wide range of issues and topics impacting Canadians.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Munro\n\nChief Economist\n\nHalifax Partnership\n\nAs Chief Economist\, Ian manages the Partnership's research strategy to provide timely economic intelligence and analysis on the Halifax economy. He leads our team of economic researchers and policy analysts and draws from more than 25 years as a professional economist in both the public and private sectors.\n\nWhat excites Ian most about Halifax is that the prevailing mood is now one of optimism.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSachi Gibson\n\nResearch Director\n\nCanadian Climate Institute\n\n\n\nSachi Gibson has a policy background in climate change mitigation\, clean energy\, and integrating greenhouse gas reduction\, adaptation\, and clean growth objectives. Prior to joining the Canadian Climate Institute\, Sachi was the Manager of Climate Change Policy for the Government of Nova Scotia. She previously worked with the Pembina Institute and Ivey Foundation. She holds a Masters of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you to our Partners\n\n\n\n\n\nAdvocate Partners\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nLuncheon Partner\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHost Partners\n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSponsorship Opportunities Available\n\nPlease contact Josh Creighton\, Corporate Partnership Specialist to discuss\n\n(902) 481-1229 or josh@halifaxchamber.com X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:


\n
\nUnlocking Productivity: A Fresh Blueprint for Success \;

\n\n

The Halifax Chamber'\;s annual \;Economic Engine Forum is back! \;Join us for our third annual \;Economic Engine Event: Unlocking Productivity \;on \;March 18th\, 2025. \; \;
\n
\nThis event intends to showcase a positive\, realistic\, and optimistic narrative of where Nova Scotia&rsquo\;s economy is heading through the perspective of political leaders\, industry experts\, and economic professionals. \; With this year&rsquo\;s forum focusing on Nova Scotia&rsquo\;s wanning productivity levels\, we intend to explore how our region can unlock private sector investments\, leverage new technologies\, and reduce internal trade barriers. \;

\n\n

Highlights of the day include:

\n\n\n\n


\n
\n
\nMayor Andy Fillmore
\n
\n
\nMayor Andy Fillmore
\nMayor Fillmore is a \;Canadian \;politician who has been the \;mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality \;since November 5\, 2024. \;He previously served as a \;Liberal Party of Canada \;Member of \;Parliament \;for the riding of \;Halifax \;from \;2015 \;until 2024. \;
\n \;

\n\n


\nHRM CAO Cathie O'\;Toole
\nHalifax Regional Council appointed Cathie O&rsquo\;Toole as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Halifax Regional Municipality on Jan. 1\, 2023.
\nO&rsquo\;Toole brings more than three decades of leadership and public sector experience to the role &ndash\; most recently as the General Manager of Halifax Water\, a role she has held since 2019. From 2011-2019 she was the Director of Corporate Services/CFO for the municipally-owned \;water utility. Prior to joining Halifax Water\, she worked with the Halifax Regional Municipality for 10 years in a variety of roles including Director of Finance/CFO and Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management.
\n
\n
\n

\n
\nRhiannon Davies
\nSandpiper Ventures
\nA native of New Brunswick\, Rhiannon&rsquo\;s business leadership spans Europe\, Asia\, South and North America. She was on the Board of Directors that took GrandVision N.V.\, a CAD$ 5.5 Billion revenue retailer with businesses in 45 countries\, through a successful IPO on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Rhiannon has driven the target identification\, due diligence\, acquisition\, integration and move to profitability of many companies. She thrives in fast moving\, fast growth environments\, and works in executive and board roles in private\, public and non-profit organizations.  \;Rhiannon believes in the need to support entrepreneurship and innovation to deliver meaningful change in business\, community\, and social development. She actively supports this belief by serving as a mentor and angel investor.
\n
\n
\nJeff Larsen
\nCreative Destruction Lab
\n
\n \;\n


\n
\n \;

\n\n

Eliminating barriers to internal trade and labour mobility is key to making it easier for Canadians to do business with each other from coast to coast to coast and unlocking Canada&rsquo\;s full economic potential. Learn how the Government of Canada is working with closely provinces and territories to expedite efforts to remove barriers to internal trade and labour mobility\, to support faster and easier access to domestic markets and creating opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow.  \;

\n\n

With:
\n

\n\n

Jeannine Ritchot
\nAssistant Deputy Minister\, Multilateral Relations &ndash\; Intergovernmental Affairs \;Privy Council Office
\n \;

\n\n

\n\n

Jay Barber
\nDirector of Internal Trade\, Privy Council Office\, Government of Canada
\n
\n
\nHaley Brown\,
\nExecutive Director\, Wine Growers Nova Scotia
\nHaley Brown is an accomplished stakeholder relations and business development executive with over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships\, government relations\, and industry advocacy\, living in the Annapolis \;Valley. As Executive Director of Wine Growers Nova Scotia\, she has led advocacy efforts\, expanded market share\, and strengthened industry collaboration. As Principal of Plum Strategies\, she advises clients on stakeholder engagement\, government relations\, and market development. Previously\, she held leadership roles in government\, technology\, sports\, tourism and international marketing\, focusing on business growth and economic development. Haley holds a Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a BA in Communication and Culture from the University of Calgary."\;
\n​\;
\n
\n
\n
\nHear from three speakers on AI adoption and the critical role it will play it productivity gains locally and beyond.
\n
\n
\nJennifer LaPlante
\nChief Growth &\; Investment Officer
\nCanada'\;s Ocean Supercluster
\nJennifer LaPlante is the Chief Growth &\; Investment Officer for Canada&rsquo\;s Ocean Supercluster\, providing strategic growth and oversight of OSC&rsquo\;s investment portfolio. Jennifer&rsquo\;s career has been focused on data\, analytics and technology. As the Executive Director of DeepSense\, she drove economic growth through increased comprehension and adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Canada&rsquo\;s ocean sector. She holds an MBA and an MSc in Computing and Data Analytics. Jennifer is a member of the Public Awareness Working Group under the Government of Canada Advisory Council on AI and is a co-organizer of the Halifax Chapter of Women in Machine Learning and Data Science (WiMLDS).

\n\n


\n
\nDr. Rita Orji
\nProfessor\, Faculty of Computer Science
\nDalhousie University
\n
\n

\n\n

Chris Johnston
\nCEO of Levership\, a division of Symplicity Designs

\n\n

Chris brings well over a decade of leadership experience in information services and technology. Since joining Levership\, he has been instrumental in developing AI-driven processes that enhance productivity at every stage of the sales and marketing funnel. Under his leadership\, Levership has started adding sessions specifically focused on helping businesses integrate AI into their workflows\, ensuring they can streamline decision-making\, optimize operations\, and unlock new levels of efficiency in an increasingly digital world.
\n \;

\n\n


\n
\n
\n
\nPedro Antunes
\nChief Economist\, The Conference Board of Canada

\n\n

Pedro Antunes is the Chief Economist at The Conference Board of Canada where he provides insights and general direction for economic products\, which include reports and economic indicators about Canada\, its regions\, and sectors. He provides professional testimony before parliamentary and senate committees along with media appearances in both English and French. Pedro is widely sought \;to speak to industry leaders and decision-makers on a wide range of issues and topics impacting Canadians.
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nIan Munro
\nChief Economist
\nHalifax Partnership

\n\n

As Chief Economist\, Ian manages the Partnership&rsquo\;s research strategy to provide timely economic intelligence and analysis on the Halifax economy. He leads our team of economic researchers and policy analysts and draws from more than 25 years as a professional economist in both the public and private sectors.

\n\n

What excites Ian most about Halifax is that the prevailing mood is now one of optimism.
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nSachi Gibson
\nResearch Director
\nCanadian Climate Institute
\n
\nSachi Gibson has a policy background in climate change mitigation\, clean energy\, and integrating greenhouse gas reduction\, adaptation\, and clean growth objectives. Prior to joining the Canadian Climate Institute\, Sachi was the Manager of Climate Change Policy for the Government of Nova Scotia. She previously worked with the Pembina Institute and Ivey Foundation. She holds a Masters of Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University.

\n\n


\n
\n \;

\n \;\n\n
\n
\n
\n


\nThank you to our Partners
\n
\n
\nAdvocate Partners

\n\n

\n \;  \;  \; \; \;
\n
\n \;\n


\n
\nLuncheon Partner
\n
\n
\n
\nHost Partners

\n \;\n\n
 \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \; \;
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \;
\n
\n
\n\n
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
\nPlease contact \;Josh Creighton\, Corporate Partnership Specialist \;to discuss
\n(902) 481-1229 \;or \;josh@halifaxchamber.com
\n
\n\n
 \;
\n LOCATION:Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel 1919 Upper Water Street\, Halifax\, NS UID:e.2481.4219 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260515T093948Z URL:https://business.halifaxchamber.com/events/details/economic-engine-4219 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR