EDCO Regional Economic Development Professional Development Event

8:30 – 9:00 am – Registration and Networking

9:00 – 9:10 am – Welcome and Land Acknowledgement

9:10 – 9:15 am – Opening Remarks from EDCO

9:15 – 10:30 am – Developing your Destination Brand

Learn about how Kingston, Ontario invested in the development of its destination brand to create an authentic and compelling identity which has been adopted by community partners and shareholders.

Speaker: Alison Migneault, Chief Marketing Officer, Tourism Kingston

Moderator: Daniel Solorio, Marketing & Communications Manager, Kingston Economic Development

Alison Migneault, Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Kingston, is an accomplished marketing and communications professional with nearly two decades in the industry. She is responsible for guiding Kingston’s leisure marketing portfolio, stewarding the Kingston brand, and developing and leading special projects. Before joining Tourism Kingston, she held a senior marketing role with Queen’s University. Alison’s skill in brand management, strategy, and leadership is bolstered by more than a decade in the not-for-profit sector. For nine years, she directed the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, doubling its operating budget, securing government support, and developing special programs.  Alison’s work has been recognized with 30+ national and international marketing awards.

10:30 – 10:45 am – Coffee / Tea Break

10:45 – 12:00 pm – Moving Beyond Tokenism in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In today’s rapidly growing communities, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are crucial. However, the challenge lies in ensuring these efforts are genuinely impactful and not merely performative. This session aims to delve deeply into the essence of authentic inclusion, offering strategies to create sustainable and meaningful DEI practices.

Speaker: Nour Mazloum, Executive Director, Downtown Peterborough DBIA
Moderator: Yu Jier Kou, Executive Director, Kingston Immigration Partnership

Nour Mazloum stepped into the role as the Executive Director of Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) in June. Prior to her role at Peterborough DBIA she led the development, writing and production of business collaterals, media strategies and public relations for Kingston Economic Development. She brings a wealth of experience, having also served as a Director at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) Board of Directors and as the Co-Chair of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Nour’s contributions have been recognized with EDCO’s 2021 President Award and the 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Influencer of the Year Award. She was recently honoured as Ontario’s Champion of Diversity. Nour holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy and Political Studies from Queen’s University and currently working towards her MBA at the Royal Military College of Canada.

12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 pm – The Great Business Succession 

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), over $2 trillion in business assets are at stake as majority of small business owners plan to exit their business over the next decade.  Providing support to business owners to prepare for their transition is critical to retaining jobs and business assets in our communities.

Speaker: Judith Pineault, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Judith Pinault Consulting
Moderator: Rob  Tamblyn, Business Development Manager – Small & Medium Enterprises, Kingston Economic Development

As a 30-year entrepreneur and C-Suite executive in manufacturing and services, Judith Pinault has spearheaded startups across four continents and amassed an abundance of knowledge. Her focus is on transforming businesses to ‘Best in Class’ (BiC). She takes a granular approach to product viability, business development, process management, and meticulous financial modeling. Whether in pursuit of a refined business development strategy or an optimal exit strategy, the principles of BiC remain constant. She is ready to engage in meaningful discussions to maximize the value in your business community.

2:00 – 2:15 pm – Coffee / Tea Break

 2:15 – 3:30 pm – Panel Session: Leveraging AI for Economic Development

An insightful panel discussion on “Leveraging AI for Economic Development,” where Claire Bouvier, Dr. Evan Steeg, and Patrick Egbunonu will explore the transformative impact of AI on economic development practices in Ontario. The session will cover enhancing personal productivity, conducting economic research, addressing ethical considerations, and boosting lead generation.

Panel: 

Claire Bouvier, Educator for Small Businesses in Small Towns
Evan Steeg, PhD, President, BridgeTech AI and Data Science Consulting Services
Patrick Egbononu, President & Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Informanos Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Inc.

Moderator: Norman Musengimana

Claire Bouvier, a forward-thinking business coach and consultant leading the charge in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to uplift small businesses and empower meaningful human connections. Drawing from her rich background as a former high school visual arts teacher and multidisciplinary artist, Claire seamlessly fuses technology with creativity to reshape the landscape of modern entrepreneurship. Beyond simply streamlining operations, Claire’s approach emphasizes the profound impact of AI on fostering genuine connections and driving positive change in communities. Through her guidance, entrepreneurs discover how to leverage AI not just for productivity, but also to amplify their influence on causes that matter most. One of Claire’s specialties lies in harnessing the power of generative AI for text and image creation. By unlocking the potential of these cutting-edge tools, she helps businesses craft compelling narratives and captivating visuals that resonate deeply with their audience. Join Claire Bouvier on a transformative journey where AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency, but a catalyst for human connection and creative expression.

Evan Steeg has 30 years in innovation as a researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, and consultant.   He was among the first to apply AI tools to drug discovery and built a company that sold genomics analysis software worldwide.  He has advised Fortune 100 companies, start-ups and the US, Canadian and UAE governments on advanced technologies including machine learning, bioinformatics and synthetic biology.   He received his B.A. in Mathematics from Cornell University, and his MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto under deep learning pioneer Dr. Geoffrey Hinton.  Recent projects include development of a labour market intelligence system for the Ontario government, and computer vision systems for a global telematics company.  Experienced innovation professional, AI and bioinformatics expert, executive and strategic advisor – IT, Life Sciences, Foresight, Strategic Planning. Consultant to companies and governments in Canada, USA, Singapore, UAE.  Multiple patents. Raised millions in venture capital.

Patrick Egbunonu is the President and Chief AI Officer at Informanos Analytics & AI, a social enterprise dedicated to helping leaders and organizations grow through AI and analytics. He leads the development of an AI-driven feedback platform and is passionate about using AI to improve decision-making, workflows, and productivity. He is also the CEO of EBCHIM Strategy and Innovation Research, an AI consulting firm for small and medium-sized businesses, and the President of 1MT Technical and Leadership Institute, which empowers African youth with vocational and leadership skills through an AI-first approach. With over 20 years of experience, Patrick has integrated AI into organizational strategies, balancing short-term goals with long-term success. He has spoken at global conferences on AI and launched the Business Analytics program at St. Lawrence College, where he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Business. Patrick holds a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, an Executive MBA from Queen’s and Cornell, and master’s degrees in engineering and economics from Queen’s University. He is currently completing his doctoral studies, focusing on AI and education.

3:30 pm – Closing Remarks