Get ready for an exciting lineup of sessions, keynotes, and networking opportunities at the 2025 Ontario East Municipal Conference. Our program is designed to provide valuable insights, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections for economic development professionals and municipal leaders.
Agenda Highlights
Dates: September 17–19, 2025
Location: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
- Keynote Speaker, Jennifer Botterill: Insights on leadership, resilience, and driving success in economic development
- Plenary, Economic Development & Housing: Addressing infrastructure challenges and unlocking growth opportunities
- EV & Workforce Transition: The future of electric vehicle manufacturing and workforce adaptation in Eastern Ontario
- Cybersecurity & Municipalities: Protecting local governments from digital threats and ensuring resilient operations
- Premier Networking & President’s Reception: Connect with municipal leaders, investors, and industry experts over drinks & entertainment
2025 Call for Speakers –
Now Accepting Submissions
2025 Preliminary Program
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Evening Registration
Beat the Wednesday Rush!
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cocktail and Networking Reception
NEW! reception with the Ottawa Business Journal to celebrate the launch of City Building 2024 magazine and to reveal the top 30 city building projects in the region. This will take place in the Atrium, which is the main OEMC registration area at the Ottawa Conference & Event Centre.
RSVP is required for this event as seats are limited. OEMC Delegates have received an invitation. If you have not and would like to attend, please contact oemc@ontarioeast.ca
Wednesday, September 17, 202
8:30 AM
Registration Opens
Refreshments in Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
OEMC Opening Remarks & Government Address
- Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario (video)
- Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (video)
- Warden Peter Emon, County of Renfrew, Chair, Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus
- Mayor Jeff Leal, City of Peterborough, Chair, Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Opening Plenary
Sponsored by Devcore Group
*Schedule is subject to change.
** EMC attendees are eligible for 3 points towards EDAC’s professional Ec.D. accreditation
2025 Preliminary Program
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
| 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | |||
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
| 8:30 AM | ||||
| 10:00-10:30 AM | ||||
| 10:30-11:30 AM | ||||
| 11:30-12:30 PM | ||||
| 12:15-1:30 PM | ||||
| Breakout 1 | Breakout 2 | Breakout 3 | Breakout 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30-2:30 PM | TBC | Tax Incremental Financing and Other Tools to Revitalize Distressed Areas within a Community | Canadian Immigration Toolbox and Economic Growth | Warming Up to Climate Change: Municipal Resilience in Eastern Ontario |
| 2:30-3:00 PM | ||||
| 3:00-4:00 PM | Catalyzing Growth: Government Funding Strategies for Economic Development | Conservation Authorities and Municipalities - Partnerships in Action | Rural Inclusion Pilot Project: Collaborative Workforce Solutions for Growing Communities | Lights, Camera, Action: Behind the Scenes in a Film-Friendly Town |
| 4:00-4:10 PM | ||||
| 4:10-5:10 PM | Building Global Connections: Tactical Approaches to Attracting Investment in Eastern Ontario | Land (Un)Locked: Using Spatial Analysis to Unlock the Potential of Underused Public Lands | Collaborating for Prosperity: Uniting Communities to Create the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop | The AI-Powered Small Town: How Human-Centered AI is Transforming Marketing & Productivity for Local Economies |
| 5:10-6:30 PM | ||||
| 6:30 PM | ||||
| 8:30 AM | Registration Opens Refreshments in Exhibit Hall | |||
| 10:00-10:30 AM | OEMC Opening Remarks & Government Address | |||
| 10:30-11:30 AM | Opening Plenary Panel | |||
| 11:30-12:30 PM | Opening Keynote Sponsored by Devcore Group | |||
| 12:15-1:30 PM | Lunch – Sponsored by Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) | |||
| Breakout 1 | Breakout 2 | Breakout 3 | Breakout 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30-2:30 PM | TBC | Tax Incremental Financing and Other Tools to Revitalize Distressed Areas within a Community | Canadian Immigration Toolbox and Economic Growth | Warming Up to Climate Change: Municipal Resilience in Eastern Ontario |
| 2:30-3:00 PM | Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall | |||
| 3:00-4:00 PM | Catalyzing Growth: Government Funding Strategies for Economic Development | Conservation Authorities and Municipalities – Partnerships in Action | Rural Inclusion Pilot Project: Collaborative Workforce Solutions for Growing Communities | Lights, Camera, Action: Behind the Scenes in a Film-Friendly Town |
| 4:00-4:10 PM | Transition | |||
| 4:10-5:10 PM | Building Global Connections: Tactical Approaches to Attracting Investment in Eastern Ontario | Land (Un)Locked: Using Spatial Analysis to Unlock the Potential of Underused Public Lands | Collaborating for Prosperity: Uniting Communities to Create the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop | The AI-Powered Small Town: How Human-Centered AI is Transforming Marketing & Productivity for Local Economies |
| 5:10-6:30 PM | President’s Reception in Exhibit Hall | |||
| 6:30 PM | Free Night! | |||
Thursday, September 18, 2025
| 8:00-9:00 AM | ||||
| 9:00-10:00 AM | ||||
| 10:00-10:30 AM | ||||
| Breakout 1 | Breakout 2 | Breakout 3 | Breakout 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30-11:30 AM | Facilitating Economic Development and Evidence-based Decision Making for Rural Communities – | Optimizing the Environmental Assessment (EA) Process: Best Practices for Efficiency and Impact | Universities as Engines of Growth | Municipal Law Update |
| 11:30-11:40 AM | ||||
| 11:40-12:40 PM | Beginners Guide to Effective Funding Proposals | First Impressions Community Exchange Program | Connecting for Success: Programs for Ontario’s Municipalities and Businesses | HealthPulse Shuttle: Supporting skill & workforce development through regional partnerships | Everyone has a role to play in solving the productivity crisis |
| 12:40-1:45 PM | ||||
| 1:45-2:45 PM | Finding Opportunities in Times of Upheaval: A Regional Perspective | Preserving our Past: Navigating the Changes to the Ontario Heritage Act Through Partnership | Workforce Housing: Emerging Solutions from Rural and Small Urban Municipalities (CMHC) | Envisioning Eastern Ontario’s Electricity Future |
| 2:45-3:15 PM | ||||
| 3:15-4:15 PM | Driving Economic Growth: Harnessing the Power of BR+E with Prosper Belleville Insights | Incenting ARU Development in Rapidly Growing Rural Areas: An ARU Initiative Case Study and Toolkit | ResearchFDI Academy | |
| 5:30 PM | ||||
Friday, September 19, 2025
| 8:30- 9:30 AM | Morning Refreshments and Closing SpeakerHow is Eastern Ontario’s Economy Faring Amid Renewed Trump Uncertainty? | ||
Thanks to Our Sponsors
2025 Speakers
Jideofor Ahaneku, Business Developer
University of Waterloo
Jideofor Ahaneku, Business Developer at the University of Waterloo, specializes in co-op placements, connecting students with employers in the National Capital Region. With 15 years of entrepreneurial experience across Nigeria and China, he brings a global perspective to talent acquisition and workforce development. A strong advocate for continuous learning, Jideofor is presenting Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: The Strategic Advantage of Co-op Student Employment at the City of Kingston International Student Symposium. This session explores how international students contribute to local economies while facing unique integration challenges, highlighting Kingston’s model for fostering inclusion and collaboration among regional partners.
Greg Belmore, Manager of Human Resources
The County of Renfrew
Greg Belmore, Manager of Human Resources for the County of Renfrew, leads HR initiatives focused on talent acquisition, employee engagement, and international recruitment to address labour shortages, particularly in healthcare. A Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Human Resource Professional, he has implemented strategic HR policies, recognition programs, and a human resources information system to enhance workforce development. Greg is co-presenting Innovating Rural Resilience: Eastern Ontario’s Path to Immigrant Attraction and Skilled Workforce Integration, exploring how rural communities can leverage skilled newcomers to address labour shortages and foster inclusive growth through the Rural Inclusion Project.
Behdad Banan, Head of Product
Enbridge Sustain
Behdad Banan, Head of Product at Enbridge Sustain, leads commercial planning and product management for sustainable technologies, including hybrid heating, solar, geothermal, and EV charging solutions. With an MBA and a background spanning energy and telecom, he has driven market growth and operational efficiencies in previous roles at Rogers Communications. At OEMC 2024, Behdad will present Enbridge Sustain: Towards a Lower-Carbon Future, exploring innovations in sustainable energy and how municipalities can leverage new technologies to meet evolving energy demands and environmental goals.
Gain Insights from Past Conferences
The conversations that shape Ontario’s economic future don’t start from scratch—they build on years of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation. OEMC has consistently brought together industry experts, policymakers, and economic leaders to share strategies and solutions.
Want to see what’s worked before? Explore past conferences for key takeaways, impactful discussions, and game-changing insights that continue to influence municipal and regional development.