HAMILTON May 12, 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 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.

“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                           Keith Hoey, President

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce                             Burlington Chamber of Commerce

k.loomis@hamiltonchamber.ca                                 keith@burlingtonchamber.com

905-522-1151                                                                     905-639-0174

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