Photo Courtesy of HA Photography

Business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates from across Vancouver Island gathered in Nanaimo from October 23 – 24, 2024 for the 18th Annual State of the Island Economic Summit.

Hosted by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA), this two-day event offers attendees a chance to connect, learn, and discuss some of the island’s economic challenges and opportunities.

This year, our agency proudly returned for the 13th time as gold sponsors, with five team members—Kristina Crowson (CEO), Sarah Brown (CTO), Myra Dionne (project manager and lead content strategist), Dan Stelck (account executive and business development lead), and Jason Schultz (creative director)—bringing a range of experiences to the event.

Read on to discover our marketing agency’s insights from this year’s economic summit.

Our team was thrilled to sponsor the Business-to-Business Exhibitors and Networking Sessions. Attendees had the opportunity to visit sponsor booths (including our own), collect free swag, and connect with each other over cups of coffee and tea.

When asked about this year’s experience, Sarah said:

“It’s so good to see current and old business associates and friends we have made along the way. We always get a chance to catch up and I really appreciate that opportunity. I also get a chance to meet so many interesting and passionate people —it’s invigorating to the soul!”

Between morning and afternoon networking opportunities, we attended several breakout sessions featuring dynamic discussions among panellists and industry experts.

Here were a few of our highlights:

This session explored how Indigenous communities are navigating the complexities of preserving cultural heritage while advancing sustainable development, governance, and social well-being.

“I was looking forward to learning from the Economic Reconciliation Panel, but I didn’t anticipate how inspired I would be from the discussion,” said Dan. “Although many of the ideas were expressed in an indigenous context, principles like commitment to community, respectful dialogue, and mutual growth should be universally valued.”

One message that particularly resonated with Dan was the shift from “consultation” to “collaboration”—highlighting that true progress and growth are rooted in creating healthier, more vibrant, and inclusive communities.

Myra attended two enlightening healthcare sessions, the first focusing on infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing accessibility and community well-being, while the second examined strategies for improving service integration across the island.

“It’s clear that prioritizing healthcare infrastructure and access will have a positive ripple effect, supporting both individual well-being and economic resilience across Vancouver Island,” said Myra. “When we remove barriers to building infrastructure, enhancing healthcare education, and fostering collaboration, real change will happen.”

The summit featured two lunches, a dinner, and breakfast buffet with delicious Island Good products. These were complemented by keynote speeches on important topics influencing Vancouver Island’s economy.

Here were our takeaways:

Greg Hart, CEO of Future Fit Cities, delivered an engaging keynote on reimagining a more resilient future amidst today’s uncertainties.

“Greg emphasized the importance of rethinking urban design and the potential for improved negotiation of urban obstacles,” said Jason. “His insights reinforced that better planning leads to more efficient and organic movement within communities, ultimately enhancing the experience for everyone.”

Through an exploration of where we are, where we’re heading, and how we can get there, Hart challenged us to rethink traditional approaches to community growth and stability.

Geena Jackson, founder of Bears’ Lair and President of Indigenous Initiatives Inc., took us on a journey through Indigenous entrepreneurship, highlighting its historical roots, present growth as Canada’s fastest-growing business sector, and the promising future ahead.

Her keynote emphasised the resilience and innovation of Indigenous businesses and their vital role in Canada’s economic landscape.

“Geena Jackson, Bears’ Lair was so inspiring. I found her forward-thinking approach to supporting her community refreshing,” said Kristina. “She inspires me to develop as a leader, volunteer, champion the work of Indigenous entrepreneurs, and educate my children on the importance of eye contact and building kind-caring authentic relationships.”

In a special live recording, Hotel Pacifico podcast hosts Mike McDonald, Kate Hammer, and Geoff Meggs discussed the recent provincial election and shared insights on key political issues shaping British Columbia.

“Hotel Pacifico’s podcast recording was so good! It was great to hear the perspectives on our current election, I feel like it caught me up a bit with some political tea, so to speak!” said Sarah.

The session concluded the Summit with a lively Q&A, offering attendees a chance to engage directly with the hosts on the latest political developments.

If there was one key message our team can all agree on, it’s the importance of strategic impact and purpose.

“We naturally do impact strategies in our business, but the importance of it is not documented for all to see and understand,” said Kristina. “I think there is real value here in being less humble about it and purposefully weaving it into our core values and key messages.”

In line with this commitment, the VI Economic Summit concluded with the Vision 2050 workshop, run by our client, Wirk Consulting. It was great to see a diverse group of people come together, brainstorm, and discuss the future we want for our region.

As we move forward, we’re inspired to embed impact and purpose into every aspect of our work, ensuring our strategies contribute to the collective well-being of our communities. If you’re interested in partnering with us to achieve your marketing goals and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to connect!