“Leading for the future” is the theme of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Summit, taking place this year on Thursday, May 2nd.
Sponsored by Peterborough marketing agency acorn30, the event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fleming College’s Kawartha Trades & Technology Centre at 599 Brealey Drive.
The half-day conference features a keynote speaker, two blocks of three professional development workshops (participants can choose to attend one from each block), lunch, and a panel discussion.
The Business Summit kicks off at 9 a.m. with a keynote address from Bill Lett, principal of Peterborough-based Unity Design Studio.
Previously known as Lett Architects, the architectural firm has projects in almost 20 municipalities across Ontario. Its local projects include the new Canadian Canoe Museum set to open this spring, the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, Brock Mission, Hospice Peterborough, Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, and more.
A registered architect in Ontario, Lett has 25 years of experience leading complex projects. In 1998, he joined the Peterborough location of the firm his father had originally founded in Toronto in 1968 and, in 2008, assumed full control of the company. In 2018, Lett was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and, in 2021, the firm became Canada’s first certified B Corporation architectural practice.
Following Lett’s keynote, the first block of three workshops will run from 10 to 11 a.m.
“You Should Know More About Your Customers Than They Do” is presented by Heather Watson of acorn30 and Matthew Stimpson of We Design Group, “Unleash the Power of AI” is presented by Sofie Andreou of Your AI Coach, and “Unlocking Potential: Employment Strategies for Immigrants and Diverse Abilities” is presented by Andy Cragg of New Canadians Centre and Agnes Wojewoda of the Ontario Disability Employment Network.
After a half-hour refreshment break, the next block of three workshops will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“Leading Through Uncertainty” is presented by Nancy Wiskel of Dan Joyce Clothing, Anthony Evelyn of Scotia Wealth Management, and Nicole Cooke of Organized by Design, “Copilot for Microsoft 365 – Achieve more than ever with AI” is presented by Adam Bishop of Shaw Computer Systems Inc., and “Meeting the Media: How to Best Share Your Business Story” is a panel of local news experts Jaye Makinson of Global Peterborough, Jordan Mercier of Freq 90.5, Jeannine Taylor of kawarthaNOW, and Marcus Tully of the Peterborough Examiner.
Lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a panel discussion called “Building Your Team” taking place from 1 to 2 p.m. Moderated by Chamber president and CEO Sarah Budd, the panel features Heather Watson of acorn30, Scott Murison of Wild Rock Outfitters, Mike Stock of Unity Design Studio, and Jennifer Scates of Central Smith Ice Cream.
“The Business Summit is an opportunity to learn from the experts, learn from your colleagues, and get inspired to unlock your business potential,” Budd says. “The world is changing quickly and events like the Business Summit help to strengthen our business community and better prepare us for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Tickets for the Business Summit cost $75 for Chamber members and $110 for non-members, and include the keynote speaker, two of the six workshops, refreshments and lunch, and the panel discussion. To register, visit www.pkchamber.ca/business-summit.html.
The 2024 Business Summit is sponsored and supported by acorn30, Shaw Computer Systems, Unity Design Studio, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Community Futures Peterborough, Scotia Wealth Management, Plan A Peterborough, New Canadians Centre, Ricart Branded Apparel and Promo, and Agilec.
Media partners include kawarthaNOW, the Peterborough Examiner, Global Peterborough, Pure Country 105, Move 99.7, The Wolf 101.5, Bounce Radio 91.9, and Fresh Radio 100.5.
