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Agenda

KNOWLEDGE | INNOVATION | GROWTH

Agenda

  • Main Room: Pointe Sainte-Anne BDC

  • From Awareness to Advantage: Human + AI Integration for Atlantic Leaders Presented by Matt Symes

    Atlantic Canada is staring at a once-in-a-generation productivity window, yet only ~4% of NB businesses and <6% across Atlantic Canada currently recognize the need to invest in AI. Matt Symes, CEO, Symplicity Designs; AI Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre will translate that urgency into action. He will focus on practical AI integration to drive capacity gains for private and public-sector organizations—so leaders do more with the teams they already have.

    Grounded in real regional delivery with 500+ Atlantic organizations supported over the past decade and introducing practical AI to more than 300 organizational leaders since 2023, Matt spotlights how to decide on the few high-value workflows to unlock time, reduce cycle times, and improve decision quality. Attendees leave with practical knowledge so value shows up on Monday, not someday.

  • Sponsored by Opportunities New Brunswick

  • Main Room: Pointe Sainte-Anne BDC

    How can local businesses work together? This session will bring together stakeholders, the business growth team and successful entrepreneurs to talk about local supply chain and live problem solving to overcome the burdens!

    Speakers:

    Rosemary Hamilton - Opportunities New Brunswick

    Darren Graham - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

    Craig Gourley - GAP Group

    Laura Richard - Saltwinds Coffee

    Hannahbelle Weaver - Ignite

    Kumaran Thillainadarajah - SmartSkin Technologies

    Josee Oulette (Moderator) - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

  • Session Room: Nashwaaksis

    Tourism is an essential service in our economy! This session will be a learning opportunity for current and aspiring tourism businesses. Tips & tricks will be addressed as well as best practices to support local tourism.

    Speakers:

    Brent Staeben - Harvest Music Festival

    Julia McDevitt - Elm City Events

    Ryan Kelly - Mangata Riverside

    David Seabrook (Moderator) - Fredericton Capital Region Tourism

  • Session Room: Barkers Point

    As AI transforms industries, it excels in automation but can't replace human traits like empathy, creativity, and decision-making. This session will explore how AI and humans can collaborate, combining efficiency with emotional intelligence and innovation to enhance productivity and drive success.

    Speakers:

    Jason Urquhart - HUB International

    Aaloak Jaswal - Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

    Yves Boudreau - Career Beacon

  • Session Room: Marysville

    Successful integration and retention of newcomers extend beyond initial arrival. While recruitment is crucial, long-term success depends on fostering inclusive environments that support belonging, professional growth, and community connections. This roundtable will explore key retention factors such as workplace culture, leadership commitment, mentorship, and community engagement.

    Speakers:

    Ljiljana Kalaba - Multicultural Association of Fredericton

    Gwen McIntyre - City of Fredericton Office of Community Inclusion

    Colleen Comeau - NB Power

    Sheri Coates - WorkingNB

  • Sponsored by The City of Fredericton in partnership with Downtown Fredericton Inc.

  • Main Room: Pointe Sainte-Anne BDC

    As the world increasingly transitions to a knowledge-driven economy, the demand for highly skilled, adaptable, and innovative talent is more critical than ever. This session will examine best practices for workforce development, from early education to ongoing professional growth, and discuss how to bridge the skills gap that exists in many industries today.

    Speakers:

    Melissa O’Rourke - McKenna Institute

    Susan Morehouse - New Brunswick Community College

    Candice Pollack - Research NB

    Jeff White - New Brunswick Innovation Foundation

  • Sponsored by Futurepreneur

  • Session Room: Marysville

    This interactive workshop highlights the power of collaboration to drive community change. Participants will learn how to combine resources, diverse perspectives, and collective action for greater impact. The workshop offers practical tools for building partnerships and navigating challenges, equipping attendees with strategies to turn ideas into impactful community projects.

    Speaker:

    Vanessa Currie - All in Agency

  • Session Room: Nashwaaksis

    Not every customer is your customer — and chasing the wrong ones costs you time and money. In this session, we’ll break down how to identify, attract, and win over the people who actually need what you’re selling. You’ll hear real-world insights on how customer research fuels stronger brand strategy and smarter sales. Learn how to align your marketing efforts with buyers who are ready to say yes. If you’re ready to sell with more focus and less frustration, this is where you start.

    Speakers:

    Phil Curley - HotSpot

    Jamie Murdock - Journey Fitness Studio

    Bruce Gourley - GAP Group

    Kent Murphy (Moderator) - Atlantic Growth Solutions

  • Session Room: Barker’s Point

    Your personal brand is your foundation—it reflects who you are, what you stand for, and how you connect with others. In this session, discover how to harness the power of AI to amplify your message without compromising your authenticity. We’ll explore how to use AI strategically to refine your voice, streamline your presence, and elevate your impact—while staying true to yourself every step of the way.

    Session Sponsor: BrunNet

    Speakers:

    Chris Johnston - Symplicity Designs

    Sienna Thomas-Clark - KPMG

    Asif Hasan - NeuroAI Inc.

Venue

Fredericton Convention Centre

670 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C2

Ignite Summit 2025 Sponsors

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ABOUT THE SUMMIT

Join us for the third annual Ignite Summit— where Knowledge, Innovation & Growth come together! This one-day event is a dynamic gathering of business leaders, industry experts, community builders, and policymakers driving economic growth. With sessions covering inclusive workplaces, business financing, and the evolving knowledge economy, attendees will gain actionable insights to drive growth and innovation. Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, or ecosystem partner, the Ignite Summit is your opportunity to connect, learn, and lead.