The Quay - 100 Queens Quay East, 3rd Floor
In Person
Toronto’s waterfront is an economic powerhouse, district already contributing $13 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP. With the potential to add over 100,000 jobs and residents in the coming years, the next steps in the strategic development of our waterfront are vital.
The Board has spent the past year engaging stakeholders to envision a world-class Toronto waterfront. Our latest report, 'Ripple Effect: Unlocking Toronto's Waterfront Potential,' outlines key challenges and opportunities for the crucial 10 km stretch from Ontario Place to the Port Lands.
Building on last year's sold-out symposium featuring urban visionaries like Richard Florida and Jennifer Keesmaat, this year's event brings together local and international experts to tackle pressing questions, such as:
- How can we improve waterfront access and mobility?
- How can we leverage our water for enhanced recreation, travel and trade?
- What bold ideas will make our waterfront more attractive to all ages?
Join us as we explore actionable strategies to drive transformative change, foster collaboration and unlock our waterfront's full potential. Be part of the conversation that will shape Toronto's vibrant, sustainable and world-class waterfront destination.
- Gain exclusive insights from our 'Ripple Effect' report and engage with diverse experts, including local visionaries and international urbanists
- Explore innovative solutions for waterfront access, mobility, recreation, and economic growth in Toronto's $13 billion waterfront district
- Network with key stakeholders and contribute to shaping a waterfront poised to add over 100,000 jobs and residents
- Be part of a conversation driving actionable strategies for a vibrant, sustainable, and world-class waterfront destination
- Help craft the future of Toronto's waterfront, turning insights into transformative change
Agenda
8:00 – 8:30 am: Networking Breakfast & Registration
8:30 – 8:40 am: Opening Remarks
- Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
8:40 – 8:55 am: Context Setting: Toronto’s Waterfront is Ready to Launch
- George Zegerac, President and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto
8:55 – 9:10 am: Creating Tourism Magnets: Lessons from Vivid Sydney
- Geoff Parmenter, Chairman, New Sydney Waterfront
9:10 – 9:40 am: Transportation and Connectivity
- Jennifer Quinn, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Nieuport Aviation
- Corina Moore, Executive Vice-President, Transportation & Infrastructure, WSP in Canada
Moderator:
- Jonathan English, Fellow at NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management
9:40 – 10:00 am: Networking Break
10:00 – 10:10 am: Panel Discussion
10:10 – 10:25 am: Building a Thriving Waterfront: Ports, Airports and a Waterfront that Works
- RJ Steenstra, President and Chief Executive Officer, PortsToronto
10:25 – 10:40 am: Anchoring the Future: Expanding Education on the Waterfront
- Michelle McCollum, VP, Facilities and Sustainability, George Brown College
10:40 – 11:05 am: Looking Ahead
- Tim Kocur, Executive Director, Waterfront BIA
- Richard Florida, University Professor, University of Toronto; Visiting Distinguished Professor, Vanderbilt University; Founder, Creative Class Group
Moderator:
- Dr. Tim Moonen, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Business of Cities
11:05 – 11:10 am: Closing Remarks
- Giles Gherson
11:10 – 11:30 am: Networking
Speakers
-
Dr. Jonathan English
Fellow, NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management
-
Richard Florida
University Professor, University of Toronto; Visiting Distinguished Professor, Vanderbilt University; Founder, Creative Class Group
-
Tim Kocur
Executive Director, Waterfront BIA
-
Michelle McCollum
Vice-President, Facilities and Sustainability, George Brown College
-
Dr. Tim Moonen
Co-Founder & Managing Director, The Business of Cities
-
Corina Moore
Executive Vice-President, Transportation & Infrastructure, WSP in Canada
-
Geoff Parmenter
Chairman, New Sydney Waterfront Co.
-
Jennifer Quinn
Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Nieuport Aviation
-
RJ Steenstra
President & CEO, PortsToronto
-
George Zegarac
President & CEO, Waterfront Toronto
Tickets & Registration
Individual:
- Member: $129
- Non-Member: $179
Table of 10:
- Member: $1,290
- Non-Member: $1,790