City Building Summit 2025: Ottawa Strong

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The Event that Brings Us All Together

Join the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal for an inclusive conversation about the future of Canada's Capital Region, and connect with city builders, policy makers and community leaders who are passionate about this place we call home.

You can help shape the future. Hear from an impressive line-up of leading thinkers and make your voice heard.

In these uncertain economic and political times, the 2025 City Building Summit offers a unique opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and future thinking. The summit aims to build on the region's strengths to create a diverse, resilient, and vibrant community with a thriving economy and high quality of life for all.

Who Should Attend:

City Builders: Developers, architects, urban planners and investors.
Policymakers: Government officials and public sector leaders.
Business Leaders: Entrepreneurs and executives from various industries.
Community Advocates: Residents and activists interested in shaping Ottawa's future.

Agenda:

7:30 AM - Registration & Networking
8:30 AM - Opening Remarks
8:40 AM - Mayor's Address by His Worship Mark Sutcliffe
9:00 AM - Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda
- Join urban visionary Mary Rowe and key stakeholders for a dynamic deep dive into the heart of downtown Ottawa's transformation. This session tackles the pressing issues of housing, transit, and community safety, exploring both the challenges we face and the progress being made. Expect an engaging, solutions-focused discussion that highlights bold ideas, successful strategies, and the power of collaboration in shaping a thriving, resilient urban core. If you are invested in the future of downtown Ottawa, and you are, this is your chance to be part of the conversation driving real change.
10:00 AM - Empowering Developers: Building Cities of Tomorrow
- Around the world, leading cities are proving that sustainable development and economic growth can go hand in hand - so how can Ottawa rise to the challenge? This session dives into cutting-edge strategies for balancing economic, social, and environmental priorities in city-building. Discover real-world success stories from global leaders and explore the innovative approaches making zero-carbon and affordable housing a reality. From bold policies to breakthrough projects, this conversation will challenge conventional thinking and spark new ideas for shaping a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Ottawa.
10:50 AM - Animating the Capital: An Update on NCC Projects
- An update on NCC projects underway in the National Capital region with a focus on the many initiatives along its shorelines and waterways, including its growing number of bistros and taverns.
11:10 AM - Amplifying Ottawa: Building A Music City
- Music isn't just entertainment - it's an economic powerhouse and a key ingredient in vibrant, thriving cities. With fresh insights from the latest economic impact report, this panel dives into Ottawa's potential as a dynamic music hub. Explore bold strategies to support local venues, artists, and cultural infrastructure, ensuring that live music fuels both community spirit and economic growth. From policy innovations to industry collaborations, discover how Ottawa can amplify its music scene and stake its claim as a premier destination for music lovers and creators alike. The future of our city's sound starts here - be part of the movement!
12:00 PM - Lunch & Networking
1:15 PM - Powering Ottawa: Breaking Through the Energy Wall
- Ottawa's energy future is at a crossroads. As electrification surges, industries expand, and the race to net-zero 2050 accelerates, our power infrastructure faces a critical challenge - can it keep up? Without urgent action, grid instability, supply shortages, and rising demand could stall growth and put businesses, residents, and future developments at risk. Climate pressures and system resilience add even more urgency. This high-stakes session brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to tackle Ottawa's energy reality head-on. What are the barriers to sustainable growth? What bold solutions exist? And what immediate steps must we take to ensure a stable, sustainable, and future-ready energy system? The time to act is now - before the grid limits Ottawa's potential.

2:20 PM - Education & Health: Ottawa's Foundation for a Thriving Future
- When we think of hospitals, we think of places where we heal. When we think of universities, we think of places where we learn. However, both types of institutions are so much more. They are both drivers of research, innovation and commercialization with tremendous economic potential. This session explores the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of learning, research, and healthcare delivery, and how these sectors fuel economic growth and community well-being. From breakthrough medical research to post-secondary collaboration with private industry, discover how Ottawa can leverage its unique strengths in health and education to transform the city.
3:10 PM - AI + Cities: Building Ottawa's Future
- Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way cities grow, function, and thrive. From predictive infrastructure planning to real-time urban management, AI is unlocking new possibilities for sustainability, mobility, and economic development. But how can Ottawa harness this technology to build a smarter, more resilient city? In this forward-thinking closing session, Greg Lindsay, a leading voice at the intersection of AI and urban innovation, will explore how intelligent systems are transforming city-building worldwide. Discover the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations of an AI-powered future, and gain insights into how Ottawa can position itself at the forefront of this revolution. The future of city-building is here - how will we shape it?
4:00 PM - Closing Remarks
4:10 PM - Cocktail Reception: Launch of City Building 2025 Magazine

Speakers:

Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association	Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade	Bryce Conrad, President & CEO, Hydro Ottawa	Jennifer Cross, Business Development Manager, MARANT Construction
Christine Crump, President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa	Michael Curran, Publisher, Ottawa Business Journal	Scott Delaney, Chairman & CEO, Lumenix	Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner, City of Ottawa
Greg Lindsay, Urbanist, Futurist, Speaker	Cameron Love, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital	Brendan McGuinty, Chair, Ottawa Board of Trade	Mark Monahan, Executive Director,Ottawa Bluesfest
Tobi Nussbaum, CEO, National Capital Commission	Andrew Reeves, Architect, Principal Partner, Linebox Studio	Mary W. Rowe, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Institute	Ali Shafaee, Regional Vice President, Live Nation Canada
Julie St-Pierre, Interim VP, Research & Innovation, University of Ottawa	Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department, City of Ottawa	Eric Stubbs, Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service	His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa
Jonathan Westeinde, Founder & CEO, Windmill Development Group

Don't miss the community building event of the year!

Our agenda setting events are made possible by local business sponsors. In return, we offer high value engagement and recognition. If you would like to be a sponsor for this important event, please contact Don Mersereau at Don@OttawaBusinessEvents.ca.

Event Sponsors

Date and Time

Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM EDT

Location

Rogers Centre Ottawa, Trillium Ballroom (4th floor)

Fees/Admission

Single Ticket:
Ottawa Board of Trade Member - $250 + HST
Future Member - $300 + HST

Corporate Package:
Ottawa Board of Trade Member - Table of 8 - $1800 + HST
Future Member - Table of 8 - $2160 + HST

Contact Information

For event inquiries please contact info@ottawabusinessevents.ca
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