Thank you to all of our attendee's and speakers for joining us for our 2026 Northern Regional Event. Thank you to the City of Sault Ste. Marie and for co-hosting this amazing event. We look forward to our 2027 northern event next year!

See some highlights in photos below.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is hosting EDCO's Northern Regional Professional Development Event on June 15 – 16th, 2026!

Earn 3 Economic Development Certification Points for Attending!

Tuesday, June 15th – 16th, 2026

Proudly Sponsored By:

Northern Credit Union

Agenda:

Day One: June 15th, 2025

MRA  Pre- Conference Workshop: Understanding BR+E for your Community – Engaging Local Business and Designing a Project That Fits

1 PM – 4 PM

This session introduces the essentials of a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project and how it can be used to better understand and support local businesses. Participants will learn how BR+E can help build stronger relationships with local businesses, better understand day‑to‑day business challenges and opportunities, and support informed, locally driven action.

The workshop explores practical ways to engage business owners, from informal conversations to structured interviews, and reviews different BR+E project options that can be scaled to match local capacity, resources, and priorities. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of how to kick off a BR+E project that is manageable, meaningful, and well‑suited to their community.

Participants Will Learn How To:

  • Understand the purpose and core components of a BR+E project
  • How to build trust and engage effectively with local businesses and partners
  • Adapt BR+E projects to fit small, medium, or large-scale projects
  • Set the foundation for a successful BR+E project in their community

Who Should Attend:
Economic development practitioners, municipal staff, and community partners involved in business retention, expansion, and local economic development initiatives.

Please note: Registration is separate from main event, cost of $25 (+HST) and includes light refreshments – no lunch will be provided. Limited space is available, secure your spot today!

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Sunset Cruise Networking Boat Cruise

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is pleased to host EDCO Regional Seminar delegates on a sunset networking cruise aboard the Miss Marie Lock Tour Boat. Enjoy a two-hour cruise along the scenic St. Marys River, taking in downtown views of both Canadian and U.S. Sault Ste. Marie while relaxing on one of the region's most iconic waterways.

The evening before the seminar, connect with fellow delegates over light appetizers and a complimentary beverage (cash bar available). Set against a historic trade corridor linking Lake Superior to the Great Lakes, this unique experience brings the seminar's themes of infrastructure, connectivity, and regional opportunity to life.

Please note this event is included in the regional event main registration fee, please ensure you rsvp on the form when registering.

Day 2: June 16th, 2025

We have the Big Ben Shuttle available for attendees staying at the Delta Hotel.

The shuttle will pick up at the Delta at 8:30am, scheduled to drop attendees off at the Bushplane venue at 8:45am. No need for a voucher just let the attendant know you are part of the EDCO group.

The shuttle will pick attendees up at Bushplane Museum at the end of the day 4:00pm and will drop off at the Delta hotel for 4:30pm.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Registration and Networking

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM – Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Welcome from the City of Sault Ste. Marie
  • EDCO Welcome

9:20 AM – 10:10 AM – Plenary: Marine Connectivity & the Great Lakes Advantage

Speaker: Larissa Fenn, HOPA Ports

  • Unlocking port potential in the Great Lakes system
  • Marine infrastructure as a catalyst for regional growth
  • Integrating ports into rail and road networks to improve market access

10:10 AM – 10:30 AM – Coffee and Networking Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM – Plenary: Rail Connectivity & Northern Supply Chains

  • The role of shortline rail in connecting people, resources, and markets
  • Cost reduction, reliability, and competitiveness for Northern industries
  • Rail as a strategic asset for rural and resource-based economies

Speaker: Rob Bingham , Watco

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Panel Discussion: Multimodal Infrastructure as an Economic Enabler

  • Aligning infrastructure investment with economic outcomes
  • Overcoming geographic and scale challenges in the North
  • Public-private collaboration models

Moderator: Sherri Smith, Interim President,  Sault College

Speakers:

Tom Vair, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Sault Ste. Marie

Chris Olson, President, Chippewa Economic Development Corporation

Sheila Purvis, Purvis Marine

Mr. Olson is a dedicated professional in the field of Economic Development for the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCECD) in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Mr. Olson has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as master's degree in business administration. He has also completed post master's coursework in the field of finance.

President Olson has worked in the Industrial and Automotive markets for over 25 years and has solid experience with several Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Olson has a proven track record of leading teams in business development, operations, procurement, and program management.
In his current role as President of the CCEDC he oversees and fosters economic development of Chippewa County as well as oversight of the Chippewa County International (CIU) airport and Industrial Park. The CCEDC also manages multiple assets that include general aviation, rail sidings, and other industrial facilities. Mr. Olson's primary responsibility is to encourage economic growth through strengthening of the county's competitive position and facilitate investment that builds capacity, create jobs, and generate economic opportunity.
Mr. Olson currently resides in Barbeau, Michigan with his wife and three children.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch and Networking

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Sector Spotlight: From Core Industries to Community Impact

A facilitated conversation featuring:

  • Agri-Food: lowering operating costs and improving market access
  • Tourism SSM & Downtown Revitalization:
    • How increased industrial and business activity drives tourism, culture, and service-sector growth
    • The relationship between economic activity, vibrancy, and quality of life

Moderator: Bob Burns, SSM Chamber of Commerce

Speakers:

Travis Anderson, Director Tourism & Community Development, City of Sault Ste. Marie

David Thompson, Executive Director, Harvest Algoma

Josh Ingram, Supervisor-Downtown Plaza, City of Sault Ste. Marie

Josh Ingram, Supervisor – CDES

Josh leads the planning and delivery of festivals, events, and cultural programming in the downtown core, driving community engagement and economic activity in one of the municipal facilities. Additionally, he works closely with both municipal committees and local stakeholders to address maintenance priorities, support business development, and deliver initiatives that enhance the vitality of the urban core.

Dave Thompson is the Executive Director of Harvest Algoma, a food distribution and access initiative operating across the Algoma District in Northern Ontario. With over 15 years in agri-food economic development, Dave also works with the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), where he has been a contributor since 2013, supporting value-added food entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, trade show delegations, and technology adoption funding programs. Across both organizations, his work connects producer development with the distribution and logistics infrastructure that rural food economies depend on, from coordinating wholesale supply chains to piloting regional food hub models that lower operating costs and improve market access.

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM – Coffee and Networking Break

2:00 PM – Closing Reflections

2:10 PM – 3:30 PM – Guided Experiential Session: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre – Curator-Led Tour

  • Historical role of aviation in opening Northern Ontario
  • Movement of people and resources as the foundation of economic development
  • Linking historic gateways to today's multimodal opportunities

Venue:

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre

50 Pim Street

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

P6A 3G4

Accommodations:

Delta Hotels Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront

208 St Mary's River Drive

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

P6A 5V4

Book Your Room Here

Rate: $190 – $205 /night

Last Day to Book: Monday, May 18, 2026

*Regional Event Registrations are non-refundable after June 1, 2026. Before this date, registrations are refundable less a $50.00 +HST administration fee*

*Event registrations are transferrable until June 8th, 2026.*