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MEDIA RELEASE
Hamilton and Burlington Team Up for Economic Summit
June 2 Event to Strengthen Cooperation and Boost Regional Influence
HAMILTON May 25, 2015 — Prominent leaders from the adjacent cities of Hamilton and Burlington,
Ontario will participate in the inaugural Bay Area Economic Summit at Royal Botanical Gardens on June
2, 2015.
The day-long gathering, inspired by the Greater Bay Area Committee co-chaired by Councillor Judi
Partridge (City of Hamilton) and Rick Craven (City of Burlington), is being co-hosted by the Hamilton
Chamber of Commerce and Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
It will help strengthen strategic cooperation between our two great cities in the context of a growing
economic region that extends from Toronto through to the United States.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring are honorary summit co-chairs
and will open the morning in conversation with Paul Berton, editor-in-chief, The Hamilton Spectator.
The event will identify the advantages of investing in a shared future through a program featuring
presentations, panels and breakout sessions.
The luncheon program will include addresses by The Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of
Finance and Rod Phillips, chair of Postmedia Corporation (the largest publisher by circulation of paid
English-language daily newspapers in Canada). Mr. Phillips is also chair of CivicAction, a not for profit
organization focused on tackling complex challenges across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
through multi-sector collaboration.
The day’s discussions, combined with delegate input, will be used to produce a resource to better
communicate the Greater Bay Area’s key contributions to Ontario and beyond.
Combined, the cities of Hamilton and Burlington represent roughly 4.4 % of Ontario’s GDP and boast
an active labour force of more than 392,000 people.
Looking ahead to 2031, the Greater Bay Area (Hamilton and Burlington) is expected to grow by
approximately 110,000 people, roughly 5% of Ontario’s overall growth projection to 2031.
The time is now to plan for population and employment growth as well as prepare for attendant
mobility, housing and environmental challenges.
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“We’re drawing on over a century of history as good neighbours to address intercity issues of shared
interest,” said Keanin Loomis, president and CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “These issues
range from transportation and energy to infrastructure renewal and ecological stewardship.”
The event will include a focus on three major regional themes: education and training, people and
goods movement, and life sciences. Top leaders from Hamilton and Burlington who represent these
sectors will present at the summit.
The program will also provide an opportunity for delegates to weigh in on draft economic development
strategies for the cities of Hamilton and Burlington — major planning documents that will shape our
interdependent future for years to come.
“Growth is coming to the Greater Bay Area,” said Keith Hoey, president, Burlington Chamber of
Commerce. “The summit will strengthen the bonds needed to help advance our regional economy.”
To register or learn more, visit BayAreaSummit.ca or contact Whitney Eames at
w.eames@hamiltonchamber.ca or 905-522-1151 x 100.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Keanin Loomis, President and CEO
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
k.loomis@hamiltonchamber.ca
905-522-1151
Keith Hoey, President
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
keith@burlingtonchamber.com
905-639-0174