April 16, 2015 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada
The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, will welcome more than 500 participants to the 2nd Western Innovation Forum (WIF 2015) today in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two-day event is being hosted by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), Mitacs, and Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). The Forum brings together small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, multinationals, and other innovators in the aerospace and defence sectors from across Western Canada to foster collaboration and investment opportunities.
The Forum is focused on creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses by gathering all key players under one roof. In addition to showcasing the services available from government, the Forum will encourage interaction between businesses and innovators to drive new growth opportunities. By highlighting some of western Canada's most dynamic SMEs we are helping to create high-skilled jobs and economic growth.
In addition to Minister Rempel, who will be providing a keynote address at the Forum's opening, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services; the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade; and the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue will also be in attendance at the Forum.
Emily Goucher
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: 613-668-2903
Email: emily.goucher@wd-deo.gc.ca
Brian Berube
Director of Communications
Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries
Telephone: 613-235-5337 ext. 43
Email: brian@defenceandsecurity.ca
Chelsea Dibble
Communications Specialist
Mitacs
Telephone: 604-827-3094
Email: cdibble@mitacs.ca
Lina Seto
Communications and Planning Officer
Canadian Commercial Corporation
Telephone: 613-995-7380
Email: communications@ccc.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WD) role is to support the growth of a dynamic western economy that innovates, competes globally and creates new opportunities. As business innovation is vital to creating jobs, promoting economic growth and maintaining Canada’s competitive advantage in a global economy, WD works diligently to bring western Canadian innovators together to encourage the creation of new economic opportunities.
With these goals in mind, WD, in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), Mitacs, and Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is hosting the 2nd Western Innovation Forum April 16–17, 2015, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two-day industry-oriented event – focusing on innovation, technology commercialization, and cross-industry collaboration in the aerospace and defence sectors – provides a platform for western Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage and connect with innovators across business, academia, not-for-profits, and sectors. The event features:
- a full program of panel discussions focused on identifying business development opportunities by bringing together government and industry experts to speak about the Canadian defence supply chain, research and innovation, and export opportunities for Canadian enterprises;
- opportunities for Business-to-Business/Government (B2B/G) meetings that will allow industry and academia to meet with potential partners and learn about federal and provincial government support programs;
- the Mitacs Innovation Stage, that allows companies to showcase new innovations and products, and present them to an audience of potential investors and partners;
- access to federal and provincial innovation support programming representatives, to help SMEs navigate government support programs; and
- elements of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development’s ‘Go Global’ export workshops which provide practical information and support to help SMEs take advantage of international export opportunities.
The Western Innovation Forum provides an opportunity for improved collaboration and partnership among government, agencies, associations, science and technology organizations, academia and industry. Participants will gain an increased understanding of best practices in the commercialization of innovative technologies, ideas, and products in Canada and learn about a range of Canadian innovation funding programs – including the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative.
The Western Innovation Forum’s focus meets a need identified by western Canadian innovators and builds on WD’s role as a pathfinder and facilitator for western Canadian innovators and businesses.
