Top Business, Community Leaders to Present at NSBI Conference

Some of Canada's top business and community leaders are among the keynote speakers and panellists scheduled to attend Nova Scotia Business Inc.'s (NSBI) Geared for Growth business conference.

Presented by Aliant, Geared for Growth is taking place June 13-14 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. The Nova Scotia business community will engage in panel discussions on the key issues that will determine the growth of companies in the province.

"If we approach our emerging opportunities wisely, Nova Scotia will prosper," said Premier John Hamm, who will be the final speaker at the conference. "This is a great opportunity for businesses in Nova Scotia to learn from, ask questions of, and engage in provocative discussions with some of our country's best and brightest in the business community."

Covering such topics as leadership, finance, exports, productivity and commercialization, Geared for Growth's roster of confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Mike Lipkin, president of Environics (Mr. Lipkin has been voted "hottest speaker" by four international meeting planning publications);
• Jay Forbes, president and chief executive officer, Aliant Inc.;
• Annette Verschuren, division president, Canada and Expo Design Centre, Home Depot;
• Chris Huskilson, president and chief executive officer, Emera;
• Bernd Christmas, president and chief executive officer, Membertou Development Corporation;
• Elizabeth Beale, president and chief executive officer, Atlantic Provinces Economic Council;
• Bob Hickey, vice-president and general manager, TrentonWorks Limited;
• Stephen Plummer, president and chief operating officer, IMP Group Limited;
• Shawn Levangie, vice-president, Trail Blazer Products Limited;
• Tanya Shaw Weeks, chief executive officer, Unique Pattern Designs;
• Sean Riley, president and vice-chancellor, St. Francis Xavier University;
• Barbara Manning, president and chief executive officer, IT Interactive Services Limited and GenieKnows; and
• Tom Brennan, vice-president, commercial banking, Atlantic Canada, Scotiabank.

"Now, more than ever, it's important for Nova Scotia businesses to come together to discuss what we're doing right to stimulate new growth, what we could be doing better and how can we get there," said Stephen Lund, conference host and president and chief executive officer of NSBI.

"This is an exciting mix of business leaders who all have a compelling story to share," said Mr. Forbes, who will be the keynote speaker at a breakfast on Tuesday, June 14. "Aliant is proud to play a major role in bringing this conference to life."

A full list of panellists and speakers is available on the website at www.gearedforgrowth.com . In addition to Aliant, other sponsors include Emera, Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales, KPMG, Scotiabank, CGI and the Municipality of the County of Richmond. The Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Agencies is also a partner.