After two successful conferences, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the third annual PEP Conference and Tradeshow at the Radisson Hotel on Jan. 21-22 next year.
In a news release, the chamber said PEP is a conference created to explore ways to grow the northern resource development and infrastructure sectors through innovative supply chain management.
“This includes a discussion of the advantages of partnerships; learning from those who have successfully designed and executed local procurement frameworks; and how we can best prepare our youth and the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow,” the release said.
“This is a very important conference for us to both lead and play a role in,” Debbi Nicholson, chamber president and CEO, is quoted as saying in the release.
“We are proud to host these speakers and ignite this conversation right here in Greater Sudbury.
“Building strong partnerships between business and Indigenous communities is important to our members, and something we need to focus on more – not only in Northern Ontario, but across Canada.”
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) has been a partner since PEP’s inception in 2018.
“The PEP conference and trade show has had tremendous growth and success as we work toward economic reconciliation by engaging in and encouraging discussion around the growing Indigenous economy and best practices to increase procurement opportunities for a thriving Canadian economy,” JP Gladu, president and CEO of Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, said in the release.
“PEP provides an impressive speakers panel delivering keynote discussions and presentations pertaining to challenges, opportunities, and best practices for the future. I encourage participation in this important conference that will help recognize equity and opportunity for Aboriginal businesses so that together we can utilize and grow wealth and potential.”
Over the past two years PEP has welcomed speakers such as Alan Coutts (Noront Industries), Gladu, Greg Rickford (minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs), Dawn Madahbee-Leach (Waubetek Business Development Corporation), Roy Slack (Canadian Institute of Mining), Alicia Woods (Marcotte Mining Machinery), and Jolene Recollet (Wahnapitae First Nation).
Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.pepconference.ca for more information.
