For a Niagara College public relations student that desires to one-day work within the Ministry of Tourism, volunteering at the Ontario Economic Summit was an amazing opportunity. Volunteering for the public relations professionals of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce allowed me to experience public relations at its highest level. We did everything from media monitoring and media registration to writing blogs and sitting in on a media scrum with Premier Dalton McGuinty.

We were required to listen to various captains of industry address the summit on how to grow economically as a province. Listening to these keynote speakers and their theories on how our province could flourish economically was extremely interesting and educational. The highlight of the Ontario Economic Summit was listening to Alex Dobrochodow and Premier McGuinty. Mr. Dobrochodow is a Creative Strategist and Brand Expert from Australia who spoke in regards to tourism. He explained how we could use tourism as he has with the Seven Wonders of New South Whales Australia by marketing regional tourist destinations within Ontario. I thought that his theory regarding corporate businesses investing in tourist areas because it creates jobs and promotes a stable economy along with regional marketing was profound.

Premier McGuinty was the second speaker that I really enjoyed listening to. I found his public speaking skills outstanding. He addressed the summit about the new harmonization tax and was able to capture everyone’s complete attention because he was confident, knowledgeable and very passionate about his cause.

The three days that I spent volunteering at the Ontario Economic Summit was an extraordinary experience and was instrumental to my foundation as a public relations student. I hope to one day become a great speaker like these two gentlemen.

I would like to thank all those that made this possible.

Written by: Kevin Brochu, Student, Niagara College

Driving to the Fallsview resort on Monday, November 2, I was nervous, curious and excited about my upcoming days at the Ontario Economic Summit. Upon arrival, my two classmates and I entered the kick-off event, which was an evening dedicated to William G. Davis – the first Ontario Visionary award recipient. Dinner was, of course, fantastic, and my nerves were settled after being introduced to Amy Terrill, Erin Riach and Jessica Doan, the team from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce with whom we would be working.

The next morning, Kevin, Brett and I arrived at White Oaks where Erin immediately took us to the media room. She showed us what media monitoring is all about, and how to perform searches that will pinpoint who has written and published stories covering the event at hand.

Over the course of the day, we were given the opportunity to sit on some of the speakers, including Tim Hudak, Warren Jestin and Greg Ip. As a former Business and Economics student at Wilfrid Laurier University, I found these sessions particularly interesting and enjoyed getting a fresh perspective on the current economic situation.

The following couple of days consisted of writing a blog, assisting in the registration of OES delegates, and attending more speaker series. The highlight of the entire event was having the opportunity to listen to the “Go Green and Prosper” session, which featured a keynote address by Gerald Butts, President and CEO World Wildlife Fund Canada, and Galen Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited. Their insights on the green economy was both eye opening and interesting, and well received by all in attendance.

The Ontario Economic Summit was a totally new experience for me, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the event this year. We are at a turning point in the future of our economy and now more than ever need the guidance of today’s leaders.

Written by: Danielle Purslow, Student, Niagara College

My experiences at the Ontario Economic Summit (OES) can be summed up in one word: unforgettable.

When I arrived at Fallsview Casino, I was extremely nervous due to the magnitude of the event and I did not know what to expect.   The OES is where economic decisions for the future of Ontario are made.  Being able to participate at an event where the delegates have such a large influence on the economic prosperity of Ontario, I was not only nervous but excited.

Being of a political mind, the OES brought together my educational experiences and provided an opportunity where I could gain practical work experience.  Listening to political speeches, and seeing how every aspect of a large event, such as the OES,  is planned, allowed me to gain experience for future career in political communications.  Watching the OES crew work through changes to the itinerary was fascinating.  I learned a great deal from how they reacted to the changes and how the problems were resolved.

The educational and practical experience that I gained by participating in the OES will help me in obtaining my future career goals and aspirations.  The OES is an experience that will not soon be forgotten.

Written by: Brett McNally, Student, Niagara College

Each year the Ontario Chamber of Commerce reaches out to Niagara College’s public relations students to find volunteers keen on learning about event management and media relations. This year we asked our students to sit in on some of the sessions at the OES. We wanted to know what the OES experience means to them. Over the next three part series we will look at the Ontario Economic Summit through the lense of tomorrow’s leaders.

Part 1: Brett McNally “OES: An unforgettable educational experience” will be posted Wednesday November 17

Part 2: Danielle Purslow “Nervous, Curious and Excited…” will be posted Thursday November 18

Part 3: Kevin Brochu “My OES Experience“ will be posted Friday November 19

Enjoy!

For Ontario’s economy, the road forward will not be the same as the road we have travelled in the past, nor will it take us back to where we used to be.

Ontario Economic Summit co-chairs David Dodge and Robert Prichard recapped the highlights and takeaway messages from the three-day event, which brought together representatives of business, government, labour, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

“We have to be prepared for what is coming ahead,” said Dodge. “At the heart of dealing with that are imagination, creativity, and innovation.”

Both public and private sectors must become more efficient—and that will require cooperation and collaboration, in an atmosphere of trust and openness.

“We will not agree on everything,” Dodge said. “But we are capable of moving forward if we carry on dialogue and resolve the inevitable differences about what we have to do to make Ontario a better place.”

Government can also play a critical role. “We need agile government that can help all of us,” Prichard said. “The premier said that there is an important conversation to be had about building a better future. It’s important for all of us to be part of that conversation.”

Written by the Conference Publishers