The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, led by Inspire Nanaimo, presents author and urban issues expert Gord Hume at Nanaimo’s Shaw Auditorium on Nov. 1.
Hume will speak on building Nanaimo’s economy by positioning itself to attract knowledge-based industries.
Hume will define the ‘knowledge-based economy’ and describe how Nanaimo can attract businesses to consider Nanaimo as the city to start, migrate, establish and grow a business.
According to a press release from the chamber, Nanaimo already benefits from the positive economic influence of knowledge-based economic drivers like Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo school district, private schools and academies in the region, the health sciences community and is the No. 4 tech industry growth centre in B.C.
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. Hume is no stranger to Nanaimo, having worked with the city to develop its own ‘Cultural Plan for a Creative Economy.’
In his presentation, Hume will cite his fifth book, Places and Spaces, a 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.
“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,” said Kim Smythe, chamber CEO. “He delivered the keynote at the second UNESCO Congress on Creative Cities. We’re incredibly thrilled that he’s agreed with us to visit Nanaimo again.”
Tickets to the presentation at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 are $15 each and are available on the chamber website at www.nanaimochamber.bc.ca.