Hard on the heels of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Whistler is hosting what it hopes will become the Davos of North America.
“It’s a lofty vision,” said Fiona Famulak, president of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, who is organizing Whistler’s first Outlook Economic Symposium modelled on the World Economic Forum held each year in Davos, Switzerland. “But it gives us a great framework from which to build.”
The new annual conference aims to bring together business and community leaders from across the province to explore big-picture questions about B.C.’s economy and business environment and its position in the global marketplace.
This year’s inaugural theme will delve into whether B.C. is properly positioned to prosper over the next decade.
Famulak said the goal of the conference is to give entrepreneurs, CEOs and senior managers in B.C. the opportunity to think about the broader economic and business environment within which they operate and ultimately help them make better decisions.
“When they leave the room, the goal is that they have a better understanding of how they can plan for and create their own business success and contribute to the overall success of the province.”
Among some of the topics that she said will be discussed:
- the direction of consumer trends over the next decade;
- dealing with low productivity;
- how to attract investment;
- dealing with exchange rates; and
- the broad, long-term impact of approved destination status from China.
This year’s speakers includes Sam Shaw, a vice-president at Encana Natural Gas; Jim Allworth of RBC Investments; Andrew Ramlo of Urban Futures Inc.; and Roger Gibbins, president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation.
Conference highlights include a panel discussion on the future trends and opportunities for key B.C. business sectors ranging from tourism and natural resources to technology, the arts and real estate.
The panel includes Peter Leitch, chairman of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC, and Pascal Spothelfer, president and CEO of the BC Technology Industry Association.
The conference is scheduled to begin with a special panel of Business in Vancouver Media Group’s most recent Forty Under 40 award recipients. They’ll discuss what they see as the opportunities and challenges facing B.C. entrepreneurs over the next 10 years.
“It will be compelling, with some provocative comments,” Famulak said. “There will be calls to action made and a great opportunity for attendees to engage with the speakers and network with their peers across the province.”
Early bird deadline for the conference is May 27.