The Hamilton Chamber is pleased to present the annual Hamilton Economic Forecast on Monday December 3 at LIUNA Station.  The event begins with a reception at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6pm.

We would like to thank presenting sponsor Grant Thornton, panel sponsor Hamilton Economic Development, and program sponsors Gowlings, Hamilton International Airport, FirstOntario Credit Union and McMaster University for their generous support of this event.

The panel will be moderated by Jim Menzies, Partner, Manufacturing and Distribution, Grant Thornton and panelists include:

Helmut Pastrick, Chief Economist, Central Credit Union 1

David Robitaille, Manager, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, IBM Canada

Frank Russo Jr. Senior Vice-President, Global Spectrum

Joe Watson, Director, Business Development, PCL Contractors

For tickets, please call Whitney at 905-522-1151 ext. 100 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Tickets are $95 plus HST and includes a full dinner.

Hamilton’s long range prosperity strategy generated interest and excitement at this year’s Ontario Economic Summit held November 6-8 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.   

The strategy, which continues to evolve based on community input, has emerged over time through a series of local economic summits and planning events organized by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the City of Hamilton and a variety of partners. 

Nick Markettos, Assistant Vice President of Research Partnerships, McMaster University (pictured at left) shared highlights at the Ontario Town Hall, an interactive session that provided summit delegates with briefings from economic leadership events held in eight regional centres across Ontario earlier this year, including Hamilton. Markettos talked about six economic actions for Hamilton moving forward:
 
Education: Form a multi-sector working group to strengthen collaboration among our city’s educational institutions, including McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University College.

Creative Industries: Leverage our city’s many assets to make Hamilton a magnet for creative industries.

Health Sciences: Position our local health sciences cluster — anchored by Canada’s top medical school — as an economic value and export-oriented wealth generator.

Advanced Manufacturing: Expand working partnerships in order to push the research and innovation envelope, increase productivity, drive investments and deliver on sustainability goals.

Transportation: Capitalize on Hamilton’s intermodal advantages and advocate for more public investments in our transportation networks, including roads and mass transit.

Infrastructure: Build smart infrastructure that meets the needs of a 21st century Hamilton tied to a growing regional and global economy.

“Nick’s presentation helped put Hamilton into perspective as an important contributor to jobs and prosperity in Ontario,” said David Adames, President and CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “Hamilton is helping our province reinvent its value proposition in the global economy.”

Nick Markettos, a former director of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, continues to support the chamber as a strategic advisor and committee volunteer.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and its partners will continue to help advance a home grown economic strategy and to report on achievements at the annual Ontario Economic Summit and other leadership gatherings. 

The Ontario Economic Summit is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce focused on helping Ontario emerge stronger at a time of economic transformation. The 2012 summit attracted more than 200 delegates representing all sectors of the economy.  In attendance were Mo Elbestawi, McMaster University; Rob MacIsaac, Mohawk College; and Tony Valeri, ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

GET INVOLVED: Contact David Adames at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 905-522-1151 x 229.

The Hamilton Chamber will be represented at the Ontario Economic Summit this week, including Hamilton HIVE Chair Ryan Moran speaking on November 6. 

The Hamilton Chamber, Small Business Enterprise Centre and Innovation Factory are hosting "Contacts to Contracts" - Doing Business with Government: Tuesday November 6, 9am: McMaster Innovation Park.

On Friday November 9, 8-9am at the Mulberry Cafe, the Chamber will be hosting November's Coffee with the CEO and Guests: Glen Norton from the Urban Renewal Office and Kristin Huigenbos from the Small Business Enterprise Centre with Hamilton Economic Development.

The following Division and Committee meetings are taking place this week:

Transportation: Tuesday November 6, 8am: Hamilton Chamber office. Guest speaker: Bruce Wood, Hamilton Port Authority.

Human Resources: Wednesday November 7, 8am: Waterfront Centre. Guest speaker: Dr. David Posen: "Running on Empty - Dealing with Workplace Stress"

Innovation and Technology: Thursday November 8: 8am: McMaster Innovation Park.  Guest speaker:

Ancaster Division: Friday November 9, Noon: Ancaster Mill