The 17th Annual State of the Island Economic Summit opened at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in downtown Nanaimo on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The conference is organized by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) and brings together local governments, business owners, and First Nations to network and discuss how to improve the Island\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
VIEA\u2019s CEO Julie Sperber says that the conference is a place to highlight opportunities on Vancouver Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe're all so busy in our own lives, jobs, professions, and we don't really know what's happening within our own region,\u201d she said. \u201cSo at this event, we get to feature and share what different innovative business models are producing and growing in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says that not only is the conference an important event for the city\u2019s economy, attracting over 600 people who spend money at local businesses, but it is also a great way to hear people\u2019s ideas on how to improve the city<\/p>\n
\u201cI'm interested in hearing what people have to say and what themes start to emerge, not just ones that are being promoted by the conference, but what's the the talk in the hallway, if you will, to get some sense of the concerns of people issues that they may have with the city itself in terms of why they may or may not invest or create jobs here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact is that these kinds of conferences are often seen by the nattering nabobs of negativism as just a big talk fest,\u201d said Krog. \u201cFor me they are about networking, which is so important to the long term economic and social health of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, as part of about 20 sessions over two days, the conference is also hosting \u201caction labs\u201d on regional food security, community design and economic development where people can problem-solve common challenges.<\/p>\n
Sperber says that the action lab on regional food security is especially important for Vancouver Island<\/p>\n
\u201cI think most Vancouver Islanders are familiar with the three days of food on the island. \u201cIf catastrophe were to strike and we weren't going to have regular transportation modes coming in, that is a huge factor in why we're having this discussion.\u201d
\nOne of VIEA\u2019s initiatives is the Island Good logo that helps consumers identify goods and products produced on the Island. VIEA board chair Katie Bishop says the idea came out of discussions at a previous conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will see a lot of producers will have a stamp of Island Good on their product, it will be sold in local stores and we like to promote that,\u201d she said. \u201cI think that's really contributed to some growth and strong sales for a lot of those partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Premier David Eby scheduled to speak at the conference on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
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