SDG Counties Regional Event
Thank you to all of our attendee's and speakers for joining us for our Eastern Regional Event in United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Thank you to the county for hosting this amazing event. We look forward to next year!
See some highlights in photos below.
The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry are hosting EDCO's Eastern Regional Professional Development Event on May 27 -28, 2026!
EDCO Regional Economic Development Professional Development Event
Earn 3 Economic Development Certification Points for Attending!
May 27 – 28, 2026
We invite you to encourage your elected officials to join EDCO's dedicated session on the vital role economic development plays in strong, resilient communities.
EDCO Pre- Conference Seminar – Investing in our Future: Why Economic Development Matters
EDCO is pleased to offer our Eastern Ontario Elected Officials Investing in Our Future: Why Economic Development Matters on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 9 am – 12 pm, at the South Stormont Community Hall in Long Sault.
This focused half‑day session is designed for elected officials and senior municipal leaders who want a clear, practical understanding of how economic development influences long‑term community prosperity. Participants will explore what economic development truly is, what it is not, and how municipal decisions directly shape business growth, investment readiness, and overall community vibrancy.
This session offers an accessible, high‑value learning opportunity for councils and leadership teams across Eastern Ontario.
Registration is $25 (+HST) and includes morning refreshments. Please note Registration is required to attend, limited space is available, secure your spot today!
Draft Agenda
Day 1: May 27th, 2026
Pre-Conference Tour & Networking Event
Tour Departure: 1:00 PM
Kick off the conference with an immersive afternoon exploring the cultural and historical landscape of Eastern Ontario, followed by a relaxed networking experience. This tour will depart and conclude from Lost Villages Brewery: 16133 ON-36, Long Sault ON K0C 1P0 .
Stop 1: Native North American Travelling College (NNATC)
Located on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, the Native North American Travelling College is dedicated to preserving and promoting Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture and language. NNATC's mission is to reach people, inform them, and foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and heritage through education and lived experience.
The St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project permanently transformed this region, an engineering achievement that also reshaped communities and lives. This story is explored through three distinct perspectives:
Stop 2: Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Centre
Discover the scale and impact of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project, where the remarkable feat of engineering is examined alongside its effects on the people and communities of the region.
Stop 3: Lost Villages Museum
Visit the museum that commemorates the ten villages and hamlets submerged as a result of the project, preserving their stories, buildings, and legacy.
Networking Event: Lost Villages Brewery – 4pm – 6pm
Conclude the afternoon with a networking event at Lost Villages Brewery, where locally crafted beer and community-inspired artwork keep the memory of the Lost Villages alive, one pour at a time.
Guests will enjoy a flight of beer paired with appetizers, creating a relaxed setting to connect and continue the conversation.
Day 2: May 28, 2026
8:30 AM Registration and Light Refreshments
Start the day with a mix of insightful presentations, panels, and networking opportunities, highlighting cross-border collaboration, community development, and business growth in the region.
9:00 AM Opening Remarks
The conference will begin with a Land Acknowledgement, followed by remarks from key leaders
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Keynote – Coopetition: Let's Tackle The Healthcare Workforce Crisis Together
After years of working in silos and competing to attract health professionals to fill staff vacancies, dozens of partners across Akwesasne, Cornwall, SDG Counties, Russell Township, and parts of southwest Ottawa have joined together to develop a new regional recruitment campaign and retention strategy.
The Great River, Great Future project shows how a little coopetition can go a long way to achieving seemingly impossible goals. Are you ready to find out what it means to work nicely with your competition?
Speaker: Kat Rendek, Economic Development Officer with SDG Counties
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Panel: Cross-Border Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Explore strategies, opportunities, and lessons learned in cross-border partnerships and joint ventures, with a focus on fostering strong partnerships that benefit all communities. This session will highlight experiences in Indigenous entrepreneurship, sharing insights on how businesses and communities can work together respectfully and effectively.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how collaboration, across sectors, borders, and communities, can lead to innovative solutions, economic growth, and resilient regional development.
Moderator: Sydney Smith, City of Cornwall
Speakers:
Michelyne Tarbell, Akwesasne Travel
Raeann Adams, Akwesasne Travel
Angela Bero, Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce
Joyce King, Akwesasne Travelling College
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM Coffee and Networking Break
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Community Improvement Programs / Regional Incentives Program
This session will provide an in-depth look at how different levels of government collaborate to implement programs that support community improvement and regional growth. Attendees will gain insights, with a focus on the coordination and partnership between upper- and lower-tier municipalities.
The discussion will highlight practical examples from smaller communities, making the content highly relevant for regions like ours. Participants will hear from communities that have successfully implemented Community Improvement Programs (CIPs) and learn how these programs have evolved or shifted focus over time to address changing needs.
Moderator: Alex de Witt, Ministry of Rural Affairs
Speakers:
Dana McLean, City of Cornwall
Peter Young, SDG Counties
Dan Ethier, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Karl Doyle, South Stormont
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Lunch Break
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM Panel: Cross-Business Promotion
Discover how local businesses work together to strengthen the community, preserve regional heritage, and support economic growth. This panel highlights the unique story of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project, and the Lost Villages, and how local businesses are keeping the legacy alive while driving collaboration:
- Lost Villages Brewery
- Cardinal Meats
- Lost Villages Museum
Attendees will learn how these partnerships not only preserve local history but also create innovative ways for businesses to support each other, attract tourism, and contribute to the overall vitality of the region.
Moderator: Bob Peters, City of Cornwall
Speakers:
John Wright, Lost Villages Brewery
Jessie Cardinal, Cardinal Meats
Ashley Lewis, Cardinal Meats
Jim Brownell, Lost Villages Museum
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Coffee and Networking Break
2:30 – 3:30 PM Speaker Spotlight: Ross Video
Gain insights from Ross Video, a leading technology company, on the strategies and collaborations that have fueled its regional and global growth. This session will explore:
- Investment in Staff as a Growth Strategy
- Collaboration with the Municipality and Developers
- Impacts of Tariffs on Operations
Speaker: Jeff Poapst, Ross Video
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Closing Remarks
Attendees will leave with practical lessons on balancing workforce development, community engagement, and global business strategy to achieve long-term success.
Venue:
South Stormont Community Hall
2 Mille Roches Road
Long Sault, ON
K0C 1P0
Accommodations:
Hampton Inn by Hilton Cornwall
1757 Vincent Massey Drive
Cornwall, ON
K6H5R6
Rate: $214 / night
Cut Off Date: April 14, 2026
*Regional Event Registrations are non-refundable after May 13th, 2026. Before this date, registrations are refundable less a $50.00 +HST administration fee*
*Event registrations are transferrable until May 20th, 2026.*