The Future of Cities

March 3, 2022

Canada’s innovation ecosystem is ready and able to help overcome our biggest challenges

We all want our cities to be safe, sustainable and livable. Getting there depends on how well we can address the complex social and economic challenges standing in our way.Civic leaders can’t (and shouldn’t) be left to do this on their own.

From clean energy and digital connectivity to data and AI, Canada’s innovation ecosystem is ready and able to help overcome our biggest municipal challenges. But to do it we need clear pathways for collaboration and problem solving between innovators and government leaders.

That’s why CityAge and Communitech brought local government and tech founders and business together. On March 3, we explored how municipal governments and the world’s best innovators can explore, define and solve today’s complex challenges, and build the future of cities, together.

Event Theme Include:

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Event Partners Include:

SPEAKERS & GUESTS

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Dr. Ann Cavoukian

Chief Privacy Officer | Founder & CEO Innovate Cities | Global Privacy & Security by Design | Former Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

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Larry Smith

Founder & Senior Researcher, The Problem Lab University of Waterloo

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Adam Straker

Program Manager, Ecosystem Collaboration Communitech

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Ben Perry

President Perry Group Consulting Ltd.

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Claudia Preciado

Director of Growth, Replica

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Dan Mathers

Co-Founder, President & CEO eleven-x

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Mary Scott Nabers

President & CEO Strategic Partnerships

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Mike Savage

Mayor Halifax, NS

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Kimberly J. Williams

Chief Innovation Officer, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

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Alison Carden

Global Practice Director, Products and Platforms GHD Digital

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Catherine McIntyre

Reporter The Logic

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Sasha Einwechter

General Manager, Information Technology (IT) City of Guelph

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Tess Van Thielen

Vice President, Advanced Services Portfolio Rogers for Business

PROGRAM

11:30 am

Anchor Welcome and Introduction, Naomi Parness, Founder, KPW Communications

11:35 am

Opening Comments by: Adam Straker, Program Manager, Ecosystem Collaboration, Communitech

11:40 am

Presentation by: Larry Smith, Founder & Senior Researcher, the Problem Lab, University of Waterloo

How do we really know what the future of cities looks like? What trends we’re seeing, what possibilities cities should prepare for, and how they will shape the solutions they adopt.

12:05 pm

Panel 1: Complex Challenges, Collaborative Solutions

Cities are facing complex challenges. Exciting solutions exist, but they’re not always easy to implement. What challenges do cities face in trying to adopt the latest technologies? What challenges do innovators face in trying to scale their solutions in cities? How do we improve that collaboration to solve problems?

  • Dan Mathers, Co-Founder, President & CEO, eleven-x
  • Claudia Preciado, Director of Engagement, National Association of City Transportation Officials
  • Alison Carden, Global Practice Director, Products and Platforms, GHD Digital
  • Mike Savage, Mayor, Halifax, NS
  • Panel Host: Ben Perry, President, Perry Group Consulting Ltd.

12:30 pm

Presentation by: Tess Van Thielen, Vice President, Advanced Services Portfolio, Rogers for Business

The changing face of digital collaboration. How tech leaders, government and corporations are working together to shape the future of cities.

12:45 pm

Presentation by: Ann Cavoukian, Chief Privacy Officer, Innovate Cities, Founder & CEO, Global Privacy & Security by Design, Former Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

1:00 pm

Panel 2: Public-Private Partnerships to build the Future’s Cities: What Works & What Doesn’t?

A look at various public-private partnerships – successful and not. What worked? What didn’t work? What can other innovators and city leaders learn from these examples?

  • Mary Scott Nabers, President & CEO, Strategic Partnerships
  • Kimberly Williams, Chief Innovation Officer, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Harris County
  • Emily Yates, Smart City Director, City of Philadelphia
  • Sasha Einwechter, General Manager, Information Technology (IT), City of Guelph
  • Panel Host: Catherine McIntyre, Reporter, The Logic
1:30 pm

Close

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