2006-2007

News Release

REF NO.: 0

SUBJECT: Grenfell - Community Prosperity Forum schedule finalized

DATE: April 11, 2007

Organizers of the “Creating Successful Municipalities” forum have finalized the schedule and are now in the final days of preparation for this major municipal event.
April 24 and 25 will see a gathering at Corner Brook’s Pepsi Centre of North America’s leading experts with respect to municipal economic growth.
Titled “Creating Successful Municipalities,” the Community Prosperity Forum is co-hosted by the city of Corner Brook and Memorial’s Harris Centre, in partnership with Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, the Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation, College of the North Atlantic, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, and the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.
Speakers and participants from across Canada, the U.S., and the North Atlantic Rim will bring their knowledge and experience to the table to share lessons and best practices in how municipalities can develop and implement strategies for long-term success.
Tuesday, April 24, begins with registration and a continental breakfast, followed by the opening address and mayors’ panel. The mid-morning session will focus on post-secondary education, and features Dr. John Ashton, principal, Grenfell College; Dr. Brian McMillan, Holland College, Charlottetown; and Dr. Wade Locke of Memorial University’s St. John’s campus. Lunchtime guest speakers include Tom Denton of the Manitoba Immigration Council and Nellie Burke of Immigration Policy and Planning in the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. The afternoon session will focus on rural-urban interaction, featuring Kelly Vodden, Community Cooperation Resource Centre, NLFM; David Freshwater, University of Kentucky; and Peter Billing, Centre for Regional and Tourism Research, Denmark. The day will conclude with a meet-and-greet reception at the Greenwood Inn and Suites.
Wednesday, April 25, includes sessions on sustainable/green planning and economic development. The session on sustainable planning will feature Mayor Ron Casey, Canmore Alberta, Dr. Kathleen Blanchard of Intervale Associates Inc. and Jim Ireland of Eco-Industrial Solutions, Regina, while economic development sessions will present Rachael Matheson, University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park, Waterloo, and Dr. Larry Felt of Memorial University’s St. John’s campus. The lunchtime speaker will be Rick Comerford of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The day concludes with a closing panel and question and answer period.
To register, please contact Stacie Gregory, conference co-ordinator, Community Prosperity Forum, phone (709) 637-1587, sgregory@cornerbrook.com. For more information visit www.cornerbrook.com/conf.  

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