DAY 1 • TUESDAY • OCTOBER 6 | CONNECTING IDEAS
7:30 AM
Registration Opens
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
Start the Summit by connecting with delegates from across industry, business, government and communities.
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Opening Ceremony & Cultural Welcome
Welcome by Emcee, Tara Pye
Remarks by Chief Jenny Brake
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening Keynote
Speaker
The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
9:30AM – 10:30 AM
Western Newfoundland is at a pivotal moment. With abundant natural resources, strategic infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and significant investment on the horizon, the region is uniquely positioned for growth. This opening panel brings together leaders from across sectors to explore what makes the West Coast an attractive place to invest, do business, and build for the future, and why the time to act is now.
Opening Panel: Why the West Coast and Why Now?
Panelists
Dean Major, President & Co-Owner, Majors Contracting Ltd.
Jonathan Walsh, COO, Qalipu Development Corporation
Andrea King, CEO, techNL
Janine Browne, Senior Director of Business Development, PAL Airlines
Moderator
Colleen Connors, Video Journalist, CBC Corner Brook
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Coffee & Networking Break
Connect with fellow delegates and enjoy live music.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Live Podcast Recording: The Honourable and the Hack
One of Newfoundland and Labrador's most engaging political podcasts comes to the West Coast Business & Investment Summit for a special live recording.
The Honourable and the Hack brings together political experience, sharp commentary and candid conversation about the issues shaping Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hosts
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, K.C. and journalist Alex Bill, allNewfoundlandLabrador
Guest
Nigel Jenkins, Owner, Laughing Heart Music Ltd.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Keynote Luncheon
A networking luncheon bringing together Summit delegates, speakers and partners.
Speaker
Frank Davis, AVP and Canada Country Head, Pattern Energy
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
Keynote Address
Speaker
The Honourable Lloyd Parrott, Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister of Government Services, Minister of Red Tape Reduction, Minister of Labour, Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL, Minister of Energy and Mines, Government House Leader, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
1:20 PM – 2:30 PM
Today's most successful projects recognize that technical excellence alone is not enough. Earning and maintaining a social licence to operate requires meaningful engagement, strong environmental and social governance, and genuine partnerships with Indigenous governments, communities, municipalities, regulators, and stakeholders. This panel explores how moving beyond consultation to collaboration can reduce risk, strengthen project outcomes, build public confidence, and create long-term value for both proponents and the communities in which they operate.
Panel: Building Better Projects: From Consultation to Partnership
Panelists
Chief Jenny Brake, Qalipu First Nation
Shem Evans, Senior Engagement Manager, Hatch
Dr. Steve Bonnell, Adjunct Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland (Department of Geography / Environmental Policy Institute)
Chris Pembroke, Environment and Technical Services Manager, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
Moderator
Amy Stoodley Thorne, Senior Associate, Pedal & Shift
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Coffee & Networking Break
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Panel: From Project to Approval: Permitting, Policy, and Timelines
In today’s competitive investment landscape, certainty matters. Investors, governments, and communities all benefit from approval processes that are transparent, predictable, and effective. This panel examines how policy, permitting, and regulatory decision-making can support responsible development, reduce uncertainty, and help ensure the right projects move from proposal to reality.
Panelists
Rhonda Tulk-Lane, President and CEO, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
Sharon McLennon, Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre
Colin Taylor, Vice President Information Technology, ICI Innovations
Gail Boland, Assistant Deputy Minister, Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Moderator
Ian Froude, Managing Director & Founder, Pedal & Shift
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
A brief wrap-up of the day's conversations before delegates reconvene at Marble Mountain.
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Summit Reception at Marble Mountain
Experience one of Western Newfoundland's signature destinations while connecting with Summit delegates, speakers and partners.
With Live music by Nick Hamlyn
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Pre-Reception Social
Cash Bar & Social Hour (Prior to Reception transit)
DAY 2 • WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 7 | FROM CONVERSATION TO ACTION
8:30 AM
Registration Opens
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Guided Nature Walk
Participark Trail, gathering at entrance near Grenfell
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Day 2 Welcome
Welcome by Emcee, Tara Pye
Linda Chaisson, Mayor of Corner Brook
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM
Keynote Address
Speaker
Carol Anstey, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
9:20 AM – 10:30 AM
Panel: Unlocking Growth: Infrastructure, Investment, and the Capacity to Grow
Panelists
Kelly Smith, CEO, Corner Brook Port Corporation
Sean Kennedy, Manager, Cenovus Sales and Supply Chain Management Centre of Excellence
Chad Fowlow, Founder & CEO, Angler Solutions
Gary Murray, CEO, Newfoundland Power
Moderator
AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, The Board of Trade
Opportunity is accelerating across Western Newfoundland, but growth can only happen if the region has the capacity to deliver. From reliable energy and transportation networks to housing, workforce development, skills training, and access to capital, this panel explores the investments and partnerships needed to ensure the region is ready to support the next generation of projects, businesses, and communities.
10:30 AM – 10:50AM
Coffee & Networking Break
10:50 AM – 12:00 PM
Some of the most significant opportunities in Western Newfoundland are already taking shape.
This session gives delegates the opportunity to hear directly from companies advancing major projects and investments about what they're building, where their projects stand, what comes next and the opportunities these developments could create for businesses, workers, communities and investors.
Project Presentations: The Projects Shaping What's Next
Featuring
Robert Booth, Chief Operating Officer, Atlas Salt
Darren Pelley, Vice President, Special Projects, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
Dean Comand, COO, Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation
Devin Lacey, Newfoundland & Labrador Lead, Triple Point Resources
Darrell Gallant, VP Operations, Marine Atlantic
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Continue the conversation over lunch with delegates, speakers and Summit partners.
Networking Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Panel: The People to Build It: Workforce, Skills and the Next Generation of Growth
Western Newfoundland has significant investment on the horizon—but projects can only move forward if employers can find the people and skills to build and operate them. As demand grows across construction, mining, energy, transportation, tourism and other sectors, the region faces an urgent question: do we have the workforce to seize the opportunity?
This conversation explores how employers, educators, governments and communities can work together to train, attract and retain the people Western Newfoundland needs—and how major investment can translate into lasting careers and opportunities for people who live here.
Panelists
Brent Howell, Dean of Natural Resources and Industrial Trades, CNA
Corey Parsons, Deputy Director, Trades NL
Sherri Tucker, Employer Engagement Specialist, Avalon Employment
Lisa Lovelady, President and CEO, Academy Canada
Moderator
Ted Cadigan, Director, CNA Foundation
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Closing Panel: Culture, Land, and Economy: A Living Connection
A strong economy is built on more than investment. It is also rooted in place.
The landscapes, cultures, histories and communities that define Western Newfoundland are not separate from economic development—they are among the region's greatest competitive advantages.
Our closing conversation explores how Western Newfoundland can leverage what makes it distinctive to strengthen tourism, attract people and investment, support local businesses and communities, and create lasting economic opportunities while preserving the qualities that make the region unlike anywhere else.
Panelists
Autumn Gale, COO, Majors Contracting Ltd. and Hew & Draw
Brad Evoy, CAO, Qalipu First Nation
Spencer Lake, Founder and Chair, Saltwind Foundation
Moderator
Dustin Parsons, Atlantic Regional Manager, Team Rubicon Canada
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing Networking Reception
We'll close the inaugural West Coast Business & Investment Summit by bringing delegates together one final time to recognize our partners, continue the conversations started over the previous two days and look ahead to what's next for Western Newfoundland.
Finger food and cash bar available