Category: Events

econext ideathon | September 22-24, 2023 | MUN St. John’s Campus

Posted on by Alex Rumbolt

This event took place September 22-24, 2023. Click here to read the news release which summarizes the event and highlights the winning teams!

 


Registration is now open for the first econext clean growth ideathon!

 

Challenge – How can we reduce the peak demand for electricity in Newfoundland and Labrador?

View the econext opening ceremony slideshow here to learn about the event logistics.

View the NL Power/Take Charge slideshow here to learn more about the challenge.

View the Key Green Economy Concepts presentation here.

View the mentor’s schedule here.

What is an ideathon?

Ideathons are competitive events in which students work together in teams over a short timeframe to come up with solutions to a set challenge. Our ideathons are a space to develop innovative solutions for clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The prompt will be released at the beginning of the weekend and we will provide you with all the necessary information needed to complete the challenge.

Who can participate?

This is a multi-disciplinary event and we welcome any undergraduate student from Memorial University to participate. If you are interested in clean growth, we encourage you to join us!

When and where?

The ideathon will take place in the MUN Core Science Facility over a 48-hour period from September 22-24, 2023. Find the full event schedule below.

Most of the event will occur in the Core Science building in the whale atrium and the multi-purpose room. Students are responsible for finding their own places to work; however, there is a working area in the Core Science building. We encourage students to stay on campus while working to take part in workshops and activities and to benefit from mentors.

Why should you participate?

  • We will be awarding cash prizes to the top three teams: $3,000 for 1st Place, $2,000 for 2nd Place, and $1,000 for 3rd Place! PLUS more non-tangible prizes.
  • Network with people in the industry as well as your peers
  • Workshop opportunities
  • Learn about the clean growth industry
  • Team building
  • You will be provided with free meals, snacks, and swag
  • Group activities
  • Have some fun!

How to register?

Click Here to Register

Register using our Eventbrite.

Sign up solo or in teams of three-to-five students. We encourage students to register as teams where possible; however, we will try our best to match individual registrants to a team. There will also be an opportunity on the first evening to network to form teams. Final submission of teams will take place on the evening of Friday September 22.

Deadline to register is September 20, 2023.

Registration is completely free!

What is the schedule?

Our ideathon is a 48-hour event, beginning on Friday, September 22 at 5pm and ending on Sunday, September 24 at 5:30pm.

Our Partners

1ST PLACE PRIZE

2ND PLACE PRIZE

3RD PLACE PRIZE

OPENING CEREMONIES

MEAL SPONSOR

 

PARTNER

Have questions?

Reach out to Alex Rumbolt at alex@econext.ca or Chelsea Linfield at chelsea@econext.ca

Stay tuned for more information! We will be updating this page in the coming weeks as the ideathon approaches.

 

The econext Ideathon was made possible through partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.

 

econext 2023 conference | October 26, 2023

Posted on by kieran


econext‘s Annual Conference is Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier green economy event, attracting leaders in business, government, academia, and the community.

Join us on October 26, 2023 in St. John’s, NL to hear about the latest developments in the province from decision makers and thought leaders relating to clean energy, green innovation, ongoing environmental challenges, and the pursuit of net zero.

Stay tuned to this website for more information on the conference as it becomes available.

REGISTER NOW!

Conference Agenda

Click here to download the conference agenda as a PDF.

Welcome Address

Session 1: Clean Energy – What’s Next

2023 has been a banner year for the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy industry, and the momentum is continuing to build. With decisions made on which proposed wind-to-hydrogen projects will have the opportunity to advance in the province, this session focuses on highlighting the next steps for industry, academia, and governments as they continue to advance and support clean energy growth.

Session 2: Achieving Net Zero by 2050

Newfoundland and Labrador has made a commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. As efforts are ramping up to decarbonize the economy and better understand our environmental impacts, we are starting to get a clearer idea about what the pursuit of net zero will mean for our province. This session will focus on some of the biggest challenges we must face and opportunities we should embrace.

Session 3: Continuing Environmental Challenges

While major ‘green’ industrial opportunities are crystallizing, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to face a number of challenges domestically that need to be addressed. From wastewater, to waste management, to climate change adaptation – we have much work to do. This session will explore and define these challenges – while highlighting interesting and innovative approaches to addressing them.

Session 4: Leading Green Economy Innovation

Newfoundland and Labrador has the opportunity before it to position itself as a leader in clean growth research, development, and innovation. This session will identify a series of green economy topics of particular relevance and importance to the province, explore why their pursuit from an R&D perspective is important, and discuss how they can best be approached.

Rapid Fire Presentations

Throughout the conference, attendees will hear from innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups on their ideas that can help solve environmental challenges and grow Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. Interested in presenting? Respond to our Request for Expressions of Interest.

Registration

Date:
Thursday, October 26, 2023

Time:
8:15 AM – 5:00 PM

Location:
Delta St. John’s, 120 New Gower Street

Tickets:

econext Members: $199 + HST
non-Members: $249 +HST
online-only: $90 +HST

REGISTER NOW!

Online processing fees from Eventbrite will be added to your total.
Your ticket will include a continental breakfast and lunch.
Online-only registrants will receive a Zoom link to participate in the conference live.
Information on tickets being made available to students will be released closer to the conference date.

Partnership

Are you interested in partnering with us on our conference? Click here for details and contact Colin Heffernan at heffernan@econext.ca with your interest.

Webinar – Introduction to ESG Strategies and Tactics

Posted on by kieran

econext is pleased to announce an informative webinar session introducing the fundamental concepts and strategies of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This session, instructed by Dr. Tom Cooper, serves as a gateway to understanding the importance of ESG, exploring key tactics, and highlighting the potential benefits – and pitfalls – associated with them for your business. Through practical examples you will gain valuable insights and inspiration to help you embark on your ESG journey.

Date: July 19, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 NDT
Location: Online
Cost: FREE!

For more information on this event, please contact our Director of Workforce Development, Ogaga Johnson, via e-mail at ogaga@econext.ca.

Register Here

Webinar: NL Green Transition Fund

Posted on by kieran

On June 21, 2023 the Green Transition Fund was announced.

Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 11am-12pm as we welcome representatives from the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology who will present on the particulars of the fund and answer questions from econext members.

Date: July 12, 2023
Time: 11h00 – 12h00 NST
Location: Online

Click to Register

Green Transition Fund program information and guidelines can be found here.

Regional Climate Workshop – Port Rexton, Trinity East / Bonavista

Posted on by kieran

Are you concerned about the impact climate change will have on your community and region? Do you have some ideas for adaptation strategies?

The Harris Centre, in partnership with econext and CLIMAtlantic, are hosting a series of regional workshops in 2023 to discuss the impacts and opportunities associated with climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The focus of these sessions will be to discuss the effects of climate change at a regional level, to explore regional options for climate adaptation, and identify potential regional development opportunities related to climate action. These sessions will build on and utilize information gathered during the Harris Centre’s Forecast NL initiative along with resources available through CLIMAtlantic.

The intent of these workshops is to:

  • Engage community members and stakeholders from different NL regions and sectors in a mutually beneficial exchange of information around climate change adaptation priorities, approaches, resources and outstanding questions.
  • Produce summaries of regional discussions that can be used by local and provincial organizations to inform their planning and provision of technical assistance resources toward the issues of highest interest, priority and need.
  • Provide opportunities for workshop participants to collectively identify adaptation strategies and actions they could pursue together in their region.
  • Highlight opportunities for the collection and dissemination of additional information – either already existing or developed through new research – focused on key questions and topics identified by community members and stakeholders.

Port Rexton

Date: June 11, 2023
Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: Port Rexton / Trinity East, NL
Venue: Brightside Bistro, 12 Main Road, Trinity East

Click to Register

Bonavista

Date: June 12, 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Bonavista, NL
Venue: Corduroy Brook Nature Centre, 2 Conservation Place

Click to Register

econext Summer Social

Posted on by kieran

Join us for the econext Summer Social on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. This in-person event will take place at Brewdock, 85 Duckworth Street, St. John’s.

Connect with fellow professionals in the industry and enjoy a fun-filled evening of networking, drinks, snacks, and live music. This is a great opportunity to expand your professional network and meet the econext team.

Be sure to RSVP by 4:00pm on Tuesday July 4, 2023. Any questions on the event, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Colin Heffernan via e-mail at heffernan@econext.ca.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Register here to secure your spot.

WEBINAR: Canada-Spain Collaboration in Sustainable Marine Technologies  + Funding Opportunities

Posted on by kieran

Are you interested in exploring co-innovation opportunities between SMEs in Canada and Spain in the green/blue economy? Tune in to this webinar to learn about some of the possibilities!

This webinar will provide information on the Eureka/Eurostars international call which funds collaborative research, development, and innovation projects between Canada and Spain. 

Date: May 11, 2023
Time: 11h30 Newfoundland Standard Time

Learn about Atlantic Canada’s strengths in ocean cleantech from econext and Spain’s strengths from PROTECMA … and also the capabilities of their members in order to help identify new collaborative opportunities.

Eureka is the world’s biggest public network for international cooperation in R&D and innovation which aims to boost the productivity and competitiveness of industries by financing and supporting international collaborative and market-focused projects.

Matchmaking opportunity for virtual B2B introduction after event:
Do you have a project idea and you are looking for a partner in Canada or in Spain? Fill the form during the registration and the associations will try to facilitate the introduction.

About CETMAR/PROTECMA
CETMAR is a public foundation in Spain that works to improve the marine environment, its resources and all the sectors that make a living from it, promoting innovation and environmental, social and economic sustainability. The general objective of PROTECMA is to develop and implement a research, technological development and innovation strategy aimed at i) the protection of the coast and the marine environment, ii) the prevention, response and mitigation of marine pollution caused by anthropogenic activity and iii) to control and improve the quality of marine, coastal and transition waters.

REGISTER NOW



AGENDA (60 Minutes)

Presentation of the seminar and opportunities for collaboration and investment in Canada.
Alexandra O’Sullivan, Embassy of Canada in Spain

Introduction of econext and its objective to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador
Kieran Hanley, econext

Introduction of PROTECMA and its lines of collaboration in marine technologies.
Marisa Fernandez and Anxo Mena, CETMAR/PROTECMA

Eureka/Eurostars opportunities between Canadian and Spanish entities.
Eric Holdrinet, NRC-IRAP and Antonio Gómez, CDTI

Questions and closing remarks

Regional Climate Workshop – Grand Falls-Windsor

Posted on by kieran

Are you concerned about the impact climate change will have on your community and region? Do you have some ideas for adaptation strategies?

The Harris Centre, in partnership with econext and CLIMAtlantic, are hosting a series of regional workshops in Spring 2023 to discuss the impacts and opportunities associated with climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The focus of these sessions will be to discuss the effects of climate change at a regional level, to explore regional options for climate adaptation, and identify potential regional development opportunities related to climate action. These sessions will build on and utilize information gathered during the Harris Centre’s Forecast NL initiative along with resources available through CLIMAtlantic.

The intent of these workshops is to:

  • Engage community members and stakeholders from different NL regions and sectors in a mutually beneficial exchange of information around climate change adaptation priorities, approaches, resources and outstanding questions.
  • Produce summaries of regional discussions that can be used by local and provincial organizations to inform their planning and provision of technical assistance resources toward the issues of highest interest, priority and need.
  • Provide opportunities for workshop participants to collectively identify adaptation strategies and actions they could pursue together in their region.
  • Highlight opportunities for the collection and dissemination of additional information – either already existing or developed through new research – focused on key questions and topics identified by community members and stakeholders.

Date: April 27, 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Grand Falls – Windsor, NL
Venue: Corduroy Brook Nature Centre, 2 Conservation Place

Click to Register

2023 Annual General Meeting and Industry Awards Presentations

Posted on by kieran

From March 30 – April 7, 2023 econext will hold its Annual General Meeting. The event is hybrid as to allow for maximum participation from members across the province.

In-Person Event

This event will feature:

  • Remarks from the Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • The presentation of the econext Industry Awards
  • The 2022-23 Annual Report
  • The Year Ahead: 2023-24 Preview
  • Membership Questions & Answers

Date: March 30, 2023
Time: 8:30am – 10:30am
Location: Comfort Hotel and Conference Centre, 106 Airport Road, St. John’s, NL

An event agenda can be downloaded below. This is a member-only event. Representatives from each econext member will be provided with registration information directly via email. If you do not receive your registration package, please contact econext CEO Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca.

Download Event Agenda

Online Voting

Members will be provided a personalized access code (distributed on April 3) which will be used for the casting of votes through to 17h00 NST on April 7, 2023. An online forum will be provided for members to ask questions and receive answers.

Resources

If you have any questions, please contact CEO Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca.

Industry Collab Networking Event

Posted on by kieran

The only thing better than one network is five!

Join us for a combined event bringing together the diverse and expansive networks of some of the largest industry associations in our province.

On Tuesday, March 28th the St. John’s Board of Trade, Energy NL, econext, techNL and NLOWE are bringing our members together so we can do what we do best; connect and collaborate!

Live music – Appetizers – Refreshments

We look forward to seeing you.

Click Here to Register