Economic Development Summit 2025
Friday, November 21, 2025
This event was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Kemptville Municipal Centre.
A day focused on Economic Development and Leadership, this event is in partnership with Michael Barrett, M.P., Hon. Steve Clark, M.P.P., the 1000 Islands, Grenville and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporations and the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board.
Agenda & Speaker Announcements
- Agenda (updated Nov. 19)
- Speaker bios (updated Nov. 19)
- Participant List
- Media Releases - Summit, and Leadership Award
#LGEcDevSummit * investleedsgrenville.com/summit2025
** Videos will be uploaded to this page once finalized.
- Welcome / Greetings
- Celebrating 175 Years & Bill Thake Memorial Economic Development Leadership Award
- The Rideau Canal: Looking Ahead
- Envisioning Eastern Ontario's Electricity Future
- Keynote: Hon. Nina Tangri - Protecting Ontario's Small Business, Jobs and Economy
- Panel: Bottle & Barrel Adventures - Behind the Brews
- Special Announcement
- Keynote: Steady Hands - Adapting to Economic Change
- Cross-Border Customs Update: Tariffs, De-minimis and What It Means to You
- Leeds Grenville / 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways
Save the Date!
- Friday, Nov. 20, 2026
Bill Thake Memorial Economic Development Leadership Award
Introduced in 2011, this annual award, also called the Warden's Award, recognizes and celebrates a volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership resulting in the growth and vitality of the Leeds Grenville economy.
Congratulations to award winner:
- Brian Purcell, Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, of James Purcell Insurance Ltd.- watch video
Thake Award Presentation: Economic Development Manager Ann Weir, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Warden Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Marlene Thake, 2025 Thake Award recipient Brian Purcell of James Purcell Insurance Ltd., Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands-Rideau Lakes MP Michael Barrett, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.
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