MEDIA RELEASE: Is Hamilton Canada’s Brooklyn? TVO’s Steve Paikin to Moderate Ambitious City Event on November 16

· by Whitney Eames

MEDIA RELEASE
Is Hamilton Canada’s Brooklyn?
TVO’s Steve Paikin to Moderate Ambitious City Event on November 16

HAMILTON October 30, 2015 — The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce today announced details of its third annual Ambitious City, a marquee event devoted to new and emerging leadership trends in progressive community building.

This year’s event will feature a spirited, interactive conversation on the question: Is Hamilton Canada’s Brooklyn? It takes place on November 16 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Lincoln Alexander Centre in downtown Hamilton.

“People want to know and understand what’s driving Hamilton’s renaissance,” said Hamilton Chamber President and CEO Keanin Loomis. “One big factor is a powerful combination of homegrown culture, commerce and authenticity also found in urban hotspots like Brooklyn. Our goal is to compare and contrast the renewal experiences of two kindred cities and unlock new ways to accelerate Hamilton’s unique transformation.”

Brooklyn, similar to Hamilton, has been successful in leveraging its history and gritty character to attract and retain talent and investment. This is a proven formula that is enabling increased economic opportunity and generating new revenue streams — two essential outcomes for cities in transition.

Yet it is also producing new challenges, such as housing affordability, traffic congestion and income inequalities. What is the balance that creates the broadest good?

The event program will feature an illustrated talk by Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Scissura will draw on his extensive public career as a vocal champion for small business, healthy neighbourhoods and social innovation to share the remarkable story of Brooklyn’s rise as a hub of economic dynamism and quality of life. He will also talk about what it takes to flourish in the shadow of Manhattan, remain welcoming and accessible, and preserve a civic identity in the face of persistent change.

“We have lots in common with Hamilton, especially a commitment to stay real,” said Scissura.

Scissura’s talk will be followed by an interactive panel discussion moderated by Steve Paikin, host of The Agenda on TVO.

The panel will feature Tim Potocic, an award-winning cultural entrepreneur based in Hamilton and the driving force behind Supercrawl; Sevaun Palvetzian, CEO of CivicAction, a leading not for profit organization facilitating positive change across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; and, Terry Cooke, President and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, a leader in co-creating an even better Hamilton. Carlo Scissura will also join the panel to elaborate on the Brooklyn story.  Said Loomis: “This panel has the global insights and on the ground experiences needed to engage the audience and address our topic head on.”

Tickets are $40 per person and available at hamiltonchamber.ca/events, or contact Whitney Eames at w.eames@hamiltonchamber.ca or 905-522-1151 x 100. Group discounts available.
Attendees will be able to purchase a signed copy of Steve Paikin’s latest book Paikin and the Premiers: Personal Reflections on a Half Century of Ontario Leaders.

Past Ambitious City events have featured Toronto Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat on a recipe for great cities (2013) and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi on inspired community building (2014).

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Media Contact: Richard Allen | 905-572-0363 | r.allen@hamiltonchamber.ca
Ambitious City