Agenda 2009

The 2009 Celebrating Communities Conference and Awards, Growing Together, will be held at the Best Western Trade and Convention Centre in Truro from September 23 to 25, 2009. Held every two years in partnership by the Department of Economic and Rural Development and this year, the Colchester Regional Development Authority, the conference draws upwards of 300 participants from across the province. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

10:00am - 1:00pm
Arrival and Registration/Community Market

A Community Farmers Market  will be set up in the conference centre as delegates arrive on Wednesday September 23rd.  It will be an opportunity for conference participants to meet local farm and craft producers, visit some information booths and experience some of the bounty that Colchester County has to offer. 

Conference delegates will be invited to explore information booths, speak with producers and pick up an array of gifts for take home.

Be sure to arrive early!
 

1:00pm - 1:30pm
Welcome and Opening Guests
1:30pm - 2:15pm
Growing Together
Speakers: Barb Stegemann
2:15pm - 2:30pm
Nutrition Break

Visit the Community Farmers Market and Information Booths.

2:30pm - 3:15pm
Deconstructing Dinner
Speakers: Jon Steinman
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Break

Visit the Community Farmers Market and Information Booths.

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Discussion and Wrap-up day
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Buffet Dinner
6:45pm - 7:00pm
The Edible School Yard
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Cultural Celebration

A night of cultural celebration is one of the key highlights of the Celebrating Communities Conference. This high-energy evening will display Nova Scotia's diversity and rich culture. It is hosted by the Colchester Regional Development Agency. There will be numerous activities and performers that will make you be proud to be a Nova Scotian.

The date is Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 7:00 until 9:30 p.m. So make sure that you are available to take part in this extraordinary event!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

8:30am - 8:45am
Orientation Conference

Erika Wicks CoRDA

8:45am - 10:00am
Telling Our Stories

Paul Shakotko, Metro Halifax Region United Way
with guests from Action for Neighbourhood Change.

 

10:00am - 10:20am
Nutrition Break
10:30am - 11:45am
Exploring Community - Nova Scotia Cafe

A Nova Scotia Cafe conversation facilitated by Michael Jones.  The session will be feature Michael Jones' unique mix of concert piano performance and discussions about the nature of communities and creativity.  The session will prepare the conference delegates for the afternoon learning modules; a selection of facilitated field trips exploring rural Colchester County community success stories.

www.pianoscapes.com/

Speakers: Michael Jones
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Discovering Communities

Presentations: Downtown Truro  | Downtown Truro  | Downtown Truro  | Tatamagouche Creamery Square  | RiverBreeze Farmers Market  | Glooscap Heritage Centre  | Agritech Park/ NSAC  | Debert
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Return to Conference Centre
5:30pm - 6:15pm
Reception

Drinks and appetizers

6:15pm - 6:30pm
Piano Michael Jones
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Banquet Dinner
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Awards Night

Hosted by Ian Hanomansing. 

Conference delegates and guests will assemble to celebrate the success of the 2009 Celebrating Communities nomination finalists and award winners.

Extra tickets are available.  $30 per person includes the banquet. 
Email celebratingcommunities@gov.ns.ca to request tickets.

Speakers: Ian Hanomansing
6:30pm - 7:00pm
The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S., DHumL

Friday, September 25, 2009

8:30am - 9:00am
Opening Remarks

Reflect on Awards night and conference gathering

9:00am - 10:00am
Preparing for a High Speed Future: Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia

Lorraine Glendenning
 

10:00am - 10:15am
Nutrition Break
10:15am - 11:00am
Minister of Economic and Rural Development
Speakers: The Honourable Percy Paris
11:00am - 11:45am
Closing Panel

Paul LaFleche, DM NS Agriculture
Ian Thompson, DM NS Economic and Rural Development
Rick Williams, DM NS Policy
Peter Hogan, ACOA

11:45am - 12:00pm
Wrap-up
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Closing Cermony

Lunch