Summit 2022: Advanced Agenda and Keynote Announcement

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Economic Development Summit 2022

Advanced Agenda Available Now

Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux Returns to Summit

Business Development Bank of Canada Vice President and Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux joins an already strong agenda at the upcoming Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit.

A seasoned speaker, Mr. Cléroux returns to provide a keynote address at this year's in-person event on Friday, November 18th at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. He first spoke at the Summit in 2017 and was welcomed back in 2018. This year he joins the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, who is the first keynote speaker of the day.

Pierre leads a team of experts who analyze economic data to identify business and sector trends impacting Canadian entrepreneurs. He is responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to the Bank’s senior management team, and supervises all marketing and industry research activities. Over his 25-year career as an economist, he has held several influential positions that had a direct impact on entrepreneurs in Canada and abroad.

Before joining BDC, Mr. Cléroux was the Quebec Assistant Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, responsible for the implementation of economic policies and programs to support small and medium-sized businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.

The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office, in partnership with Michael Barrett M.P., Hon. Steve Clark, M.P.P., the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board and the 1000 Islands, Grenville and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporations invite you to the region’s top Economic Development event of the year.

Advanced Agenda Available Now

Date: Friday, November 18, 2022

On-site registration opens at 8:15 a.m. Schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: North Grenville Municipal Centre (click for map)

285 County Road 44, Kemptville, Ontario.

Registration: $50 including HST - Includes light breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Advanced payment is required.

Registration Deadline Friday, November 11, 2022

For more information visit www.investleedsgrenville.com/summit2022, call 613-342-3840 ext. 5362, or email Joanne Poll.

Economic Development Leadership Award Nominees

A Leeds Grenville resident will be honoured with the Bill Thake Award (Warden's Award) at the upcoming Summit. This year's outstanding nominees are:

Dermid O'Farrell - Municipality of North Grenville. Dermid is passionate about North Grenville. President and partner of O'Farrell Financial, he has been an active volunteer with many local organizations and charities for 25 years, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation, Kemptville Youth Centre, Ryan's Well Foundation and the Knights of Columbus Sweetheart Brunch, which Dermid founded. He has been a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Dermid most recently served as Chair of the International Plowing Match Local Exhibitors Committee.

JoAnne Sytsma - Township of Athens.

JoAnne demonstrates an effortless ability to inspire and motivate others to her level of community participation. She is known for her giving nature. Organizations with which Sytsma is or has been involved include Climb for Care, Brockville & Area Food Bank, Girls Inc., Career Services, Feed Ontario, 100 Women Who Care 1000 Islands and Our Kenyan Kids. JoAnne and her late husband created The Village Store in Athens and turned it into a downtown hub and tourist attraction. JoAnne is described as a champion for the entire region, making Leeds Grenville a better place to live.

Derek Ouellet - Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. Derek is a champion and advocate for economic growth and development in the Seeley's Bay community. He retired to the community but was soon opening Ridgway Confections, a chocolate shop helping put the village on the map. His success has been a model to other area entrepreneurs and demonstrates how a local business can find creative ways to contribute to the community. Derek and his wife Cindy Healey launched the annual Easter Egg Hunt to help get families out to explore area parks and the annual Truffle Shuffle 5K walk/run, now in its 8th year.

Susan Warren - Township of Rideau Lakes.

Susan works tirelessly to make the history and genealogy of her area accessible to the public at large. The author and retired librarian has been on the forefront of the digitization movement to ensure visitors and future generations can see archives. She's an active member of the Chaffey’s Lock and Area Heritage Society; Delta Mill Society; Elgin and Area Heritage Society; Friends of the Rideau; Leeds & Grenville Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society; and Chair of the Rideau Lakes Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee. Sue is passionate about bringing visitors to the region.

This is the 12th anniversary of the award celebrating a volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership resulting in economic development and growth of Leeds Grenville. The award is named after the late Bill Thake, who served 52 consecutive years on Westport Council to set a Canada-wide record as the longest serving head of a municipality.

Since the award was introduced in 2011, close to 50 area residents have been nominated and 16 have been named winners. All nominees are celebrated for their much-valued achievements.