05/15/2026
We are back and are grateful to have attended the 2026 BC Economic Summit in beautiful Penticton, BC, this week, hosted by the British Columbia Economic Development Association - BCEDA. This year's theme, Shaping Tomorrow: Igniting Ideas, Inspiring Action, Driving Change, was evident in every session, conversation, and connection made during the event.
A standout moment on Day 1 was Kendal Netmaker's keynote, Keep Moving Forward, which received a standing ovation, and for good reason. His message was both simple and powerful: an act of kindness can change the world. His broader reflections on entrepreneurship were equally impactful—encouraging us to actively support and promote entrepreneurship, to surround ourselves with other successful entrepreneurs, and to seek out mentors who have walked the path we are striving toward. A reminder to honour their time, learn intentionally, and stay open to sharing knowledge and experience.
We also had the opportunity to attend the panel Connecting Communities to Opportunity: Driving Local Prosperity Through Collaboration, hosted by members of our Community Futures British Columbia network. A key takeaway was the critical role collaboration with community partners plays in attracting investment, businesses, and people to our regions, ultimately strengthening local economic resilience.
In addition to the learning sessions, the Summit offered opportunities to connect and celebrate the sector. Highlights included a memorable 1920s Murder Mystery evening and the BC Economic Development Awards. It was an honor to witness the recognition of outstanding programs, partnerships, and initiatives from across British Columbia for their contributions to economic reconciliation, resilience, marketing, and community impact.
Our own work through The BIG Pitch was proud to be nominated in the Community Project category over 25,000 population, which recognizes initiatives that deliver meaningful economic benefits to a community or region. With so many creative, collaborative, and impactful nominees from communities of all sizes, it was inspiring to be among such strong company.
A valuable reminder that economic development is built through relationships, shared learning, and a collective commitment to strengthening our communities. We look forward to next year!
