Nanaimo BC • October 17, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URBAN PLANNING EXPERT SPEAKS IN NANAIMO
The Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Inspire Nanaimo, presents author and urban issues expert Gord Hume at Nanaimo’s Shaw Auditorium on Tuesday, November 1. Mr. Hume will speak on building Nanaimo’s economy by positioning itself to be more attractive as a business location for knowledge-based industries.
His presentation will define the ‘knowledge-based economy’ and describe how Nanaimo can attract businesses to consider Nanaimo as the city to start-up, migrate, establish or grow a business as we transition away from a traditional resource-based economy. Nanaimo has a head start on this with a solid foundation through Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, regional private educators, the health sciences community and tech industry growth.
Gord Hume is recognized as one of Canada’s leading voices on municipal government, sustainable development, cultural planning and creative cities. He is a popular public speaker, an advisor to municipal governments and a respected and provocative author. Gord is no stranger to Nanaimo having worked with the City to develop its own “Cultural Plan for a Creative Economy”.
In his presentation, Gord will cite his fifth book, “Places and Spaces”, a compelling look at how the decisions of a municipality impact local prosperity and community health based on whether they roll out the Red Carpet or the Red Tape. His ideas and philosophies address the topic of municipalities performing balancing acts to achieve the greatest economic and quality-of-life benefits.
Chamber CEO, Kim Smythe, offered that “Gord is a highly sought-after public speaker by large audiences and local governments in Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, across Canada and the United States. He delivered the keynote at the 2nd UNESCO Congress on Creative Cities. We’re incredibly thrilled that he’s accepted the Chamber’s invitation to visit Nanaimo again.”
Tickets to the Shaw Auditorium presentation at 7 pm on November 1 are $15 each, available on the Chamber website www.nanaimochamber.bc.ca. This event is supported by Vancouver Island University, the City of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Conference Centre and the Coast Bastion Hotel.
KIM SMYTHE, President & CEO
250-756-1191 • 250-740-0771
