THUNDER BAY — Businesses came together, connected and became aware of opportunities for growth in the years to come at this year's Prosperity Northwest conference.
The event was hosted by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Anishinaabe Business Professionals Association at the Valhalla Inn on Wednesday.
“(At the Prosperity Northwest conference, we) really focus on what the opportunities are in our region for the next five to 20 years. We're talking about things like mining and energy and biofuels. We just had a conversation about some of the other economic opportunities for the whole province,” said Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.
This conference is held every year, Robinson said, adding that it grows every time they host it.
“It is all about business-to-business connections. People are here, they meet businesses that they didn't know about, that could now meet a need in their own business. The business trade show folks that are here, many of them are trying to make connections with perhaps some of the new projects that are coming.
“We've got energy projects, we've got mining projects, we've got different things. It's hard to find the person to talk to just on your own. So, they're here, they can make that connection, introduce themselves. ‘Here's what our company offers and how do we make a connection to potentially become an opportunity for some you know selling and buying between our businesses,’” she said.
Robinson said the event is not promoted to the public, but is an opportunity for the businesses to invite clients to connect with them and other businesses.
“We've got businesses from all over, mostly Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, but we do have some other companies looking at Thunder Bay as an opportunity, too. It's a great way for them to also feel out some partnership opportunities and what the potential is for them to maybe open an office here.”
There were 68 booths and over 400 people in attendance on Wednesday, Robinson said.
The Prosperity Northwest conference is not really about developing projects, but helping people understand what the projects are, she said.
“But, way back in 2017, one of the speakers was about the Greenstone gold mine that opened last year. We've had them here as speakers throughout that process of getting open and going through the assessment process, regular updates every couple of years, and last year they were able to really say we're opening next year.
“It was kind of neat to see that pathway from an idea and we're going to try to get this approved to we're opening and we're buying from you already and here's how we can buy from you more. Those kinds of projects are really exciting to see that transition. They don't just happen in 15 minutes and sometimes it's 15 years, but making sure that businesses are aware of those projects, even from that beginning stage that they can start to figure out where their business might fit and make those connections. When the actual opportunity is ready for them, they've already got those connections and that's what this is all about,” Robinson said.
Jason Thompson, president and CEO of Superior Strategies Inc. and Warrior Engineering, said the climate for business in Northwestern Ontario is great.
“You see a lot of future potential opportunities, actually, we're seeing it right now today, so it's exciting and definitely important for us to be here.”
Thompson said as an Indigenous business person, participating in this day is vitally important.
“We got everybody here from the service side of things to a variety of different business sectors, from energy, mining, forestry, transportation, a variety of infrastructure type projects and opportunities.
“The goal of today, and we heard it loud and clear from the chamber and the ABPA perspective, that the business community was looking at projects and opportunities that are relevant today that are not just potential mining projects that are years down the road, but shovel ready projects today and not five, 10 years down the road, today, and that's important.”
Thompson said it’s important that in this era of reconciliation that businesses are focused in on meaningful engagement, building capacity within the community.
“I truly believe the path forward is working together in partnership, and that means building strong relationships and growing together,” he said.
