econext 2025 Conference


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 9, 2025 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.

In-person ticket sales for this event have now closed.  

If you are interested in attending our 2025 Conference event, please contact heffernan@econext.ca.

Conference Agenda

Click here to download the conference agenda as a PDF.

Additional information coming soon; please note the schedule is subject to change.

Innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Burgeoning Electricity Sector

Newfoundland and Labrador’s electricity grid is in a period of change. New resources have come online, and more are to come as we meet rising demands. Large renewable energy and storage projects are looking to interconnect. We are embarking on a journey with Quebec to reshape the Upper Churchill. This unprecedented level of activity in the electricity sector will present challenges for decision-makers. Innovation will be required to ensure our choices are both informed and efficient, while new technologies will need be developed and adopted to keep operational costs in check in order to keep prices down for consumers. This panel will explore how we can innovate within a highly regulated and highly complex industry.

Featuring:





Workforce Considerations for Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Economy

From electricity grid investments, to wind/hydrogen projects, to major hydro developments, the years ahead are anticipated to be significant for the province’s green economy. What are the needs anticipated to be for these developments? In a province that has an aging workforce, where will the labour come from? With other industries within the province also forecasting growth, how tight will the competition be for talent? A strategic and coordinated approach to workforce development will be required. This panel will explore these questions and highlight activities already underway to help ensure workforce supply is ready when demand spikes.

Featuring:





Net Zero and Marine Transportation in Newfoundland and Labrador

Transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador, and marine transportation accounts for 25% of it. However, marine transportation includes a wide variety of different vessel types and uses – from fishing boats, to ferries, to supply ships, to tankers, and more. Decarbonization of the sector will be complex, but necessary if the province is to achieve net zero by the year 2050. Where and how should Newfoundland and Labrador focus its efforts to innovate? This panel will explore what needs to be done, what existing resources can be brought to the table to help, and how the province can accrue benefits from dedicated time and effort to the cause.

Featuring:





National and International Clean Energy Trends

It is a disruptive time for economies worldwide. Markets for the supply and demand clean energy are hard to predict. The Canadian government is preparing to support projects deemed to be of ‘national interest’. What does this mean for our domestic clean energy industry? Europe continues to face new geopolitical pressures; to what degree has has this changed demand for clean energy across the pond? How are actions being taken south of the border impacting opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador? This panel will explore these questions and give their best assessments specific to their subsectors and jurisdictions.

Featuring:




Plus…




Registration

Date:
Thursday, October 9, 2025

Time:
8:00 AM (Registration) – 5:00 PM

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

Tickets:
econext Members: $249 + HST
non-Members: $349 +HST
online-only: $149 +HST

If you are interested in attending our 2025 Conference event, please contact heffernan@econext.ca.

Online processing fees from Eventbrite will be added to your total.
Your ticket will include a continental breakfast and buffet-style 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.

Pre-Conference Social


Join us for econext’s 2025 Pre-Conference Social, in partnership with KBRS and the Corner Brook Port!

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.

Registration for this event is now closed. 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.

Conference Reception


Directly following the conclusion of the conference agenda, join us for the Conference Reception brought to you by Hatch. Admission to this event is included with a registration to the 2025 econext Conference.

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.


econext 2024 Conference


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 30, 2024 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.

REGISTER NOW!

Conference Agenda

Click here to download the conference agenda as a PDF.

Keynote Address

Welcoming Remarks

Canada’s Emerging Hydrogen Industry





Social License and Clean Energy Projects





Cleantech Innovation in Canada




Energy Storage, Biomass, and the Grid





Registration

Date:
Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Time:
8:00 AM (Registration) – 4:20 PM
Click here for agenda

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

Tickets:
econext Members: $249 + HST
non-Members: $349 +HST
online-only: $149 +HST

REGISTER NOW!

Online processing fees from Eventbrite will be added to your total.
Your ticket will include a continental breakfast and buffet-style 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.

Pre-Conference Social

Join us for econext’s 2024 Pre-Conference Social, in partnership with KBRS!

This in-person event will take place on Tuesday October 29th, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Sláinte Whiskey and Wine, located at 115 Duckworth 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 2024 econext Conference. We kindly ask that Conference attendees register as well – it only takes a minute!

Be sure to RSVP by 2:00 PM on Tuesday October 22nd. 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

Post-Conference Social

Join us for the North Atlantic Green Energy Hub Networking Reception, following the econext 2024 conference. Enjoy drinks and canapés, while connecting with like-minded professionals to share ideas and explore potential partnerships. You’ll also get the chance to learn more about North Atlantic’s new Green Energy Hub. We look forward to seeing you there!

Admission to this event is included with a registration to the 2024 econext Conference. Upon conference registration you will receive a link to confirm your attendance to the North Atlantic Green Energy Hub Networking Reception.

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.

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.

econext 2022 conference | October 20, 2022

The global pursuit of net zero is positioning Newfoundland and Labrador to be a significant contributor to emissions reductions around the world.

Join us on October 20, 2022 to hear about the latest developments for Newfoundland and Labrador related to renewable energy, hydrogen, mining, waste management, and emissions reductions in the offshore.

This is the best opportunity of the year to network with clean technology and environmental services stakeholders in industry, government, and academia.

REGISTER NOW!

Conference Kick-Off Networking Event

Conference Agenda

The econext 2022 conference will feature panel discussions with decision-makers and industry leaders on the following topics as they relate specifically to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL):

View the Detailed Agenda Here

An Update on NL’s Renewable Energy Future

In December of 2021, the Government of NL released its renewable energy plan. In this session hear from key decision makers on the progress that has been achieved since December – and what the next steps are in helping NL reach its renewable energy potential.

Green Hydrogen and NL’s Opportunity

NL has the potential to become a first-mover and global leader in the production of green hydrogen on a substantial scale. In this session, hear from a panel of prospective developers on what they see as being opportunities for the production and export of green hydrogen from NL.

The Latest on Offshore Wind

This session will provide attendees with an update on offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada from two perspectives. Industry representatives will give an overview of the advancements they are seeing on the ground, while the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will provide an update on the regional assessment that is being developed for the region.

The Role of NL’s Mining Sector in the Global Energy Transition

A global energy transition will demand the production of more raw materials for wind turbines, batteries, and other clean energy technologies. NL is home to many of the minerals required, and thus presents an opportunity for economic growth for the province. This session asks two questions: how do we reduce the environmental impact of our industry today, and how do we balance future industrial development with the pursuit of net zero?

Innovation in Waste Management

NL faces significant challenges in the management of its waste – the primary obstacle being economies of scale. In this session, hear about the progress has been achieved in the province through 2022 in exploring new innovative approaches to dealing with waste streams – as well as new initiatives and new companies that are already at work!

Charting a Net Zero Future for NL’s Offshore

In this session led by The Net Zero Project, you will hear about the results of work undertaken through 2021-2022 to outline net zero pathways for NL’s offshore industry, the role that carbon offsets will play in that pursuit, and the importance of digitalization and technology.

More information on the econext 2022 conference agenda is coming soon.

Registration

Date:
Thursday, October 20, 2022

Time:
8:15 AM – 5:00 PM

Location:
The Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s, NL

Tickets:

econext Members: $179 + HST
non-Members: $229 +HST
online-only: $90 +HST

SOLD OUT

Your ticket will include a continental breakfast and lunch. Online-only registrants will receive a Zoom link to participate in the conference live. All registrants will have access to conference session recordings on-demand following the event.

Information on tickets being made available to students will be released closer to the conference date.

Conference Sponsorship

Are you interested in supporting econext‘s work and its 2022 conference? Click here to download the options available to you. Contact Matt Rumboldt at matt@econext.ca to discuss your interest.

econext 2021 conference

Join us on October 22, 2021 to explore the vast opportunities that net zero, the energy transition, and finding value from waste are presenting Newfoundland and Labrador.

This is the best opportunity of the year to network with your clean technology and environmental services colleagues in industry, government, and academia.

Click here for important information on health and safety protocols being employed at the conference. Proof of vaccination will be required to attend this event.

REGISTER NOW!

Conference Agenda

Click here to download a detailed agenda. The conference will feature four panel discussions:

Cleantech Sector Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador


Our province’s technology sector is booming, and among the success stories are businesses that are developing their own products and services that improve our relationship with the environment. In this session you will hear from a cleantech CEO who has seen their company experience rapid growth on an international scale – and from one of province’s foremost experts on how we are supporting our tech entrepreneurs and setting them up for success.

  • Keynote Speaker – Joshua Green, CEO – Mysa
  • Michelle Simms, President & CEO – Genesis
  • Philip Cave, Key Account Specialist – takeCHARGE

Technology, Net Zero, and the Environment


Global discussions around net zero have accelerated greatly since the onset of the pandemic. The pursuit of net zero will present industries key to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy with significant challenges, but also with substantial opportunities for the development and application of new technologies. In this session you will hear from leaders in oceans, mining, and oil and gas on what all of this means for their industries and the action that they are seeing taking place.

  • Moderator – Deidre Puddister, Env. & Compliance Manager – Anaconda Mining
  • Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister – Environment and Climate Change
  • Jim Keating, CEO – Oil & Gas Corporation of NL
  • Kendra MacDonald, CEO – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
  • Allan Cramm, VP Innovation – Novamera Inc.
  • Geni Peters, Labour Market Information Manager – ECO Canada

Value from Waste and the Opportunity for Innovation


Newfoundland and Labrador faces obstacles in dealing effectively with its waste streams – at household and industry scales. Our population is small and waste is generated in rural and remote areas. Economies of scale are difficult to achieve, and the environmental impact of transporting waste outside of the province can be substantial. In this session you will hear about why conditions for waste management innovation are ripe in this province, and where the best opportunities for investigation may be.

  • Moderator – Sarah Halliday, Bus. Dev. Manager – Heave Away Waste Management
  • Charles Bown, CEO – Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB)
  • Don Drew, Operation Manager – Newco Metal & Auto Recycling
  • Ben Wiper, Co-Founder and CEO – 3F Waste Recovery

Our Energy Future – Electricity, Renewables, and Hydrogen


The momentum that hydrogen and other clean fuels are gaining globally as solutions to achieve deep emissions reductions present Newfoundland and Labrador with exciting opportunities for the development of its vast cache of renewable energy resources. Using clean energy for the production of clean fuels gives the province a new pathway for development, while electricity generation remains an option. In this session you will hear about what these opportunities are and what the most realistic pathways to clean energy development may be for the province.

  • Moderator – Alex Templeton, Partner – McInnes Cooper
  • Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources
  • Hon. Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology
  • Jennifer Williams, President and CEO – Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
  • Keith Drover, VP Project Development – Growler Energy
  • Blair MacDougall, Founder and Director – Waterford Energy Services

Renewable Energy Strategy Roundtable

To inform the development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy plan, econext will be hosting a renewable energy strategy roundtable at its 2021 conference on October 22. The roundtable will be a facilitated discussion open to industry representatives and conference participants only. The discussion will serve to inform econext‘s formal submission on November 4 to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for consideration in the development of its renewable energy plan. Please indicate your interest in participating in this session to Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca.

Partners

                    
          
                    

Registration

Date:
Friday, October 22, 2021

Time:
8:15 AM – 4:15 PM

Location:
The Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s, NL

Tickets:

econext Members: $179 + HST
non-Members: $229 +HST
online-only: $90 +HST

REGISTER NOW!

Your ticket will include a continental breakfast and lunch. Online-only registrants will receive a Zoom link to participate in the conference live. All registrants will have access to conference session recordings on-demand following the event.

Information on tickets being made available to students will be released closer to the conference date.

To ensure the safety of participants from COVID-19, this event will strictly follow public health guidance in place at the time of the event.