Owen Sound’s Mayor will take part in a regional economic conference this weekend.
The South West Economic Alliance will gather for a conference and annual general meeting at the London Convention Centre.
The theme of this year’s event is branding — something that Owen Sound is actively pursuing — so Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners feels it would be beneficial to attend.
Networking opportunities exist at this conference because, as the Mayor points out, the economic alliance doesn’t just bring together municipal leaders.
Business and marketing people are also part of it, as are college and university representatives and others with an interest in economic development.
And the province has stepped up with what Lovell Stanners says is “substantial funding” to make this alliance a successful one.
The keynote speakers will include former Toronto mayor and ex-federal cabinet minister David Crombie, marketer and CBC radio host Terry O’Reilly, and pollster Allan Gregg.
Topics to be specifically discussed are agriculture, economic development, tourism, workforce development, technology and alternative energy.