econext 2023 conference | October 26, 2023


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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

Atlantic Canada Caribbean Spring Trade Mission | May 15-19, 2023

LAST CHANCE: 3 SPACES REMAINING!

econext, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology (IET), is continuing its work assisting firms from Atlantic Canada in the investigation and pursuit of international business opportunities in the Caribbean region, with particular focus on the Green and Blue Economies.

Registration will be closing March 24, 2023 for the Spring mission to the Caribbean region with an intent to focus travel primarily around the business week of May 15-19, 2023.

Each delegate firm/organization may select to receive support services in up to two markets.

What's Included

Participants in this trade mission will receive:

  • Matchmaking and Mission Support provided by Amber Mackereth Consulting
  • Hotel Block/Group Rate*
  • Airport Transfers In-Market
  • Networking Reception(s)*
  • Ground Transportation to Off-Site Meetings
  • In-market Debriefs/Troubleshooting Sessions*
  • Mission Follow-Up Services/After-Care
  • Travel Stipend: Delegates are responsible for their own travel costs. However, a travel subsidy from IET may be available for eligible NL participants.

*in anchor markets/markets with sufficient delegate presence

Interested in participating in the mission to do your own follow-up meetings? Consider registration as an Associate Delegate!

Contact abbie@econext.ca to register as an Associate Delegate

Eligibility

To register for the Spring mission, companies must meet the following criteria:

  • Clear financial standing with econext and its funding partners ACOA and IET
  • Completion of registration form and mission profile
  • Confirmed payment of registration fee – $600.00 + HST for Full Delegate | $200.00 + HST for Associate Delegate
  • Demonstrated export readiness/market research
  • Confirmation of flight itinerary by April 6, 2023.

It is highly recommended that firms considering this trade mission have completed preliminary market analysis/research.

FAQ

FAQ

What are the target markets for this mission?

Our missions are customizable! We believe that each delegate should select markets that make sense based on your own objectives and market research instead. Receptions, briefing sessions, etc. will take place in “anchor markets”, or markets seeing significant delegate presence.

What happens if public health guidance changes regarding non-essential travel?

Should econext decide that travel to the region is no longer advisable prior to the creation of mission meeting programs, the mission may be postponed.

If travel restrictions change after matchmaking has begun, the mission may pivot to a virtual format. It takes considerable time and effort to create and confirm tailored meeting programs, and delegates will be expected to devote similar attention and effort to the execution of a virtual program if need be.

Registration

Click Here to Register

Registration deadline for this mission is March 24, 2023, however early registration is encouraged!

*Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available for this opportunity and that meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee registration.*



If you have any questions about the econext Spring Mission, Please Contact Abbie at abbie@econext.ca.