Category: #Posts

Greening Business Workshop – Labrador City

Posted on by Alex Rumbolt

Are you a business owner looking to embrace sustainability and green your operations?

econext, with support from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, is hosting a series of regional Green Business Workshops in 2025-2026.

For our first workshop, we’re partnering up with Labrador West Chamber of Commerce and heading to Labrador City. Join us 9:00am-11:00am on Wednesday October 22nd at Gateway Labrador in Labrador City to:

  • discuss businesses’ impacts on the environment, how climate change affects businesses, and the benefits of greening operations.
  • learn about tools and resources to help businesses assess their impact and leverage funding/incentives to implement changes

Date: Wednesday October 22, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Venue: Gateway Labrador, Labrador City

Refreshments to be provided.

Click here to register.

 

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador through a focus in three areas of activity: innovation, workforce, and net zero. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. With a membership of over 150 businesses, research institutions, governments, and organizations – econext is Newfoundland and Labrador’s leading voice on the green economy.

Greening Business Workshop – Conception Bay Area

Posted on by Alex Rumbolt

Are you a business owner looking to embrace sustainability and green your operations?

econext, with support from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, is hosting a series of regional Green Business Workshops in 2025-2026.

For our next workshop, we’re partnering up with Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Paradise. Join us 12:00-2:00pm on November 5 to:

  • discuss businesses’ impacts on the environment, how climate change affects businesses, and the benefits of greening operations.
  • learn about tools and resources to help businesses assess their impact and leverage funding/incentives to implement changes

Date: November 5, 2025
Time: 12:00-2:00pm
Venue: Warming Room, Double Ice Complex, Paradise

Refreshments to be provided.

Click here to register.

 

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador through a focus in three areas of activity: innovation, workforce, and net zero. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. With a membership of over 150 businesses, research institutions, governments, and organizations – econext is Newfoundland and Labrador’s leading voice on the green economy.

econext ideathon | September 19-21, 2025 | MUN St. John’s Campus

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

This event took place September 19-21, 2025. Click here to read the news release which summarizes the event and highlights the winning teams!

econext Ideathon

Embrace the Future of Clean Growth! econext is thrilled to announce it’s next ideathon, paving the way for innovative solutions that will drive sustainable progress in Newfoundland and Labrador. This time, we are bringing the ideathon back to the MUN St. John’s Campus! The weekend-long event, open to all MUN students, will be taking place in-person September 19-21, 2025.

Challenge: Design a solution, system, or approach that helps individuals, communities, or companies offset/reduce their carbon footprint in a meaningful way.

Click here for the opening ceremonies slideshow.

Click here for the prompt presentation.

Click here for the judging rubric. 

View the mentor schedule.

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 specific challenge, relating to clean growth, will be released at the beginning of the weekend where we will provide you with all the necessary information needed to participate.

Teams will consist of 3-5 students.

Learn more about our previous ideathons here: September 2023 | March 2024

Who can participate?

This is a multi-disciplinary event and we welcome any student from Memorial University to participate. If you are interested in clean growth, we encourage you to join us! Please note that this event takes place at St. John’s campus, and transportation and accommodations will NOT be provided.

When and where?

The ideathon will take place at the Core Science Facility at Memorial University’s St. John’s Campus over a 48-hour period from September 19-21, 2025. A schedule is available below.

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
  • 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 and snacks
  • Group activities
  • Have some fun!

How to register?

Registration is individual, but you will be required to work on teams of 3-5 students. Submission of teams will take place on the evening of Friday September 19. If you have already established a team, you will be required to submit your teams then. If you haven’t already established a team, there will be opportunity throughout the evening to network to form teams. We will assist in matching individuals to teams as needed.

Registration for this event is now closed. If you are interested in competing, please reach out to Timilehin Oguntuyaki at timilehin@econext.ca.

What is the schedule?

Our ideathon is a weekend-long event, beginning on Friday, September 19 at 5pm and ending on Sunday, September 21 at 5pm.

(Schedule is subject to potential changes)

Our Partners

OPENING CEREMONIES

3RD PLACE PRIZE

Have questions?

Reach out to Timilehin Oguntuyaki at timilehin@econext.ca.

Call for EOI: 2025 Conference Research Poster Presentations

Posted on by Colin Heffernan

econext is calling for expressions of interest from graduate students and postdocs conducting relevant research that would be of interest to attendees of the econext’s 2025 Conference.

Participants will present their projects via posters. Please submit your expression of interest by email to Colin Heffernan, Manager, Industry & Community Engagement with econext, at heffernan@econext.ca. The deadline for submissions is Monday September 15th at 4:30 PM.

Download EOI

Green Roots Wrap Up: Exploring Your Career in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Economy

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM NDT
Location: Holiday Inn, 180 Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s, NL

Register on Eventbrite

About the Event

Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy is growing, and with it, new career pathways are opening up.

Join us for a special event marking the conclusion of the Green Roots Project, a program created to support newcomers and internationally trained professionals who are exploring or transitioning into careers in the green sector.

This event offers a chance to reflect on the project’s impact, build connections, and learn more about what’s ahead in this fast-evolving field.

What You Can Expect

• A look back at the Green Roots program and its accomplishments
• Opportunities to network with peers, employers, and program staff
• Insights into current and upcoming opportunities in the green workforce
• A preview of future initiatives supporting success in the sector
• Light refreshments

Whether you participated in the program or are simply interested in opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador’s sustainable economy, we invite you to join us!

This program was supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Powering Inclusion: Building Inclusive Hiring and Equitable Workplaces in the Green Economy

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

About the Event

Date & Time: Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Online Webinar (Zoom)

Powering Inclusion is a free, interactive webinar brought to you by econext and designed to empower professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy to foster inclusive, equitable workplaces. Through this session, you’ll gain practical tools to help integrate DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) principles into every stage of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retention.

Click Here to Register

Objective

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to:
• Explore practical ways to support inclusive and respectful workplaces in the green economy.
• Apply DEI principles in recruitment, hiring, retention, and employee engagement.
• Recognize existing equity gaps in their current professional contexts.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will leave the session able to:
1. Define DEI concepts specific to Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy.
2. Apply allyship strategies aligned with sustainability and equity goals.
3. Hire with intention by creating inclusive pathways to employment.
4. Lead inclusively to improve recruitment, retention, and workplace engagement.

Registration

Spots are limited to help participants gain meaningful engagement from this session. Register now!

This program was made possible through support provided by the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador.

2025 econext Pre Conference Social

Posted on by Colin Heffernan

Join us for econext’s 2025 Pre-Conference Social, in partnership with KBRS & Corner Brook Port Corporation. This in-person event will take place on Wednesday October 8th, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Grotto, located at 189 Water Street in St. John’s.

Connect with fellow professionals in the industry and enjoy a fun-filled evening of networking, drinks, and snacks. This is a great opportunity to mingle with fellow Conference attendees, expand your professional network, and catch up with the econext team.

Admission to this event is included with a registration to the 2025 econext Conference. We kindly ask that Conference attendees register on this page as well – it only takes a minute!

Be sure to RSVP by 2:00 PM on Tuesday September 30th. If you have any questions regarding the social, please contact Colin Heffernan via e-mail at heffernan@econext.ca, or by phone at (709) 979-0423.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Register now and secure your spot.

Click Here to Register

Climate Adaption and Resilience Training (CART)

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Have you heard of CART? The Climate Adaptation & Resilience Training (CART) Program is an introductory 12-week part-time training program coordinated by CLIMAtlantic. This program is for people new to climate change adaptation who work with municipalities or Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada. CART helps learners understand and build skills across a range of topics:

  • Manage adaptation processes and projects
  • Understand and use climate information
  • Assess risk and vulnerability
  • Engage, facilitate, and collaborate across sectors
  • Centre equity and Indigenous leadership
  • Navigate different governance levels
  • Enhance community resiliency

Are you or someone you know interested? Build your confidence and sense of belonging as you network and create community with other participants and experts across the Atlantic region. You will increase your understanding of climate adaptation from different perspectives, access a helpful collection of adaptation resources, gain practical experience, and learn to think more holistically while taking part in a supportive space to share and experiment.

Applications are now open for English and French Fall 2026 cohorts.

Application deadline is June 30, 2026. Limited spaces available. Due to interest in the program, priority may be given to municipal and Indigenous Community staff and those currently working with them.

Click Here to Register

For more information, schedules, costs, etc. visit: https://climatlantic.ca/cart

econext insights: Opportunities for Domestic Clean Fuels Use in Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

As jurisdictions around the world work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build more resilient energy systems, clean fuels are emerging as a key part of the solution. With abundant natural resources and a growing focus on innovation, Newfoundland and Labrador is well-positioned to lead in this transition. Join econext for an online workshop as we explore the opportunities and challenges of clean fuel adoption across some of the province’s most critical economic sectors.

This session builds on the findings of econext’s recent research, which took a sector-specific approach to assessing the potential for clean fuel use within Newfoundland and Labrador. The research focused on the following areas:
• Marine Transportation
• Port Operations
• Electricity Grid Integration
• Remote Communities
• Heavy Industry (e.g. Mining)
• Heavy Duty Transportation
• Public Transportation
• Aviation

Session participants will be provided with a high-level overview of the study’s findings and invited to offer feedback that helps validate and enhance the insights. Your input will help shape future work, ensuring it reflects real-world needs and supports informed decision-making.

If you’re a stakeholder in any of these areas—whether you work in operations, infrastructure, energy, or policy—your perspective is vital. This is a chance to connect with peers, share your expertise, and contribute to shaping a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Newfoundland and Labrador. Register now to take part in this important conversation.

Register now

This event is made possible through the support of Natural Resources Canada / Ressources naturelles Canada.

econext Summer Social 2025

Posted on by Chelsie Cake

Celebrate the Summer with econext!

Join us for the econext Summer Social on Thursday, July 17th, 2025 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm, in partnership with takeCHARGE! This in-person event will take place at Wooden Walls Distilling, 140 Harbour Drive, St. John’s.

Connect with fellow professionals in the industry and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of networking, refreshments and snacks. This is a great opportunity to expand your professional network and connect with the econext team. Be sure to get your tickets by 4:00pm on Friday July 11th.

Space is limited – don’t miss out on this exciting event! Register now and secure your spot. See you there!

Buy Tickets Now