Welcome!
The Ulster Canada Initiative will be hosting our 12th annual Laurentic Forum virtually this year, but it is still packed with interesting experts, discussion and content. The overarching theme for Forum is set around Sustaining Coastal Communities, and will run on November 10th. 12th 17th & 19th, 2020. We’ll be working in collaboration with regional stakeholders such as Inishowen development partnership, Udaras na Gaeltachta, ERNACT, Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Institute of Technology , Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Failte Ireland, as well as with our Newfoundland partners such as the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, ACOA, the Marine Institute of NL, the Centre for Social Enterprise at Memorial University of Newfoundland , the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, The Municipality of Port Rexton amongst others.
We have chosen the image of a lighthouse as a key symbol in our logo because of what it represents around the world—a beacon of hope to coastal communities. For centuries these guiding lights have withstood the elements in order to ensure safe passage, pointing the way to a secure future. In the same way, we hope that the Laurentic Forum can help to do the same.
Conference Agenda
(Expand for further information)
Online Conference Begins
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
November 10th – 10:30-12:30 (NST) / 14:00-16:00 (GMT)
Official Opening of the Laurentic Forum & an Overview of the EU Northern Periphery Programme for 2012 with potential Collaboration with Atlantic Canada
Moderator – Shauna McClenaghan – Joint CEO of Inishowen Development Partnership.
· Opening Address by Cllr Rena Donaghy – Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council
· Charlie McConalogue, T,D Minister of Agriculture, Food and Marine, for the Republic of Ireland.
· Province of Newfoundland and Labrador -Speaker TBC
· Christopher Parker, Program Manager for the EU Northern Periphery and Arctic Program.
· Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) – Speaker -TBC
· Q&A Session
November 12th – 10:30-12:30 (NST) / 14:00-16:00 (GMT)
Theme – Digital Hubs & Social Enterprise: Advancing remote work in rural communities
Moderator: Nicole Helwig, General Manager of the Centre for Social Enterprise, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
· Tracey Keogh, Co Founder of Growremote, (Winner of the Social Enterprise of the Year Award in Ireland for 2019)
· Maria Gallagher, Donegal County Council – An overview on their consultation Remote Working Development Strategy.
· Colin Corcoran, Founder of St Mary’s Bay Connect and CFO of the Genesis Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
· Adrian Begley, Arranmore Island Council and Director of the Modem, Arranmore Island’s Digital Hub.
· Carolyn Wakeham, Community Ecosystem Innovation Coordinator, The Commons in Bonavista, NL, Canada
Q&A Session
November 17th – 10:30-12:30 (NST) / 14:00-16:00 (GMT)
Theme – Opportunities and Challenges in The Blue Economy
Moderator- Robert Verge, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation.
· Dr Mark White, Economic Development Officer for Udaras na Gaeltacht, to give an overview on the Blue Economy
· Diane Hollett, Founder and CEO of the Newfoundland Seaweed Company.
· Donegal Hydro Harvesting LTD. (a start-up algae farming company in Inishowen, Co Donegal)
· John Andy Bonar, Vice President for Research, Equality and External Affairs at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) and and Kevin Anderson Head of the School of Fisheries at the Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland. A joint presentation on the role of Education & Research Institutions feeding into Industry and the Community driving economic development
· Derick Butler, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Seafood Producers and Richard Donnolly from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (The Irish Seafood Development Agency) present a joint presentation on the current challenges facing the Seafood Sector in light of Covid-19
Q&A Session
November 19th – 10:30-12:30-(NST) / 2:00pm-4:00pm (GMT)
Theme – Tourism during a time of Covid
Covid-19 is bringing challenges and opportunities for the tourism sector and business must react and pivot to attract and retain new customers.
Discuss market insights, how business must attract the domestic market as against traditionally focusing overseas. Visitor expectations before, during and after their visit. Ensuring safety and confidence among customers and staff. Newfoundland & Labrador and Donegal are known for wide open spaces, sparse population, uncrowded destinations, this is what people are looking for now.
Moderator- Meadbh Seoighe, Tourism Development Officer for Údarás na Gaeltachta
Email/online facilitator: Máire Ní Fhearraigh, Donegal Tourism
Topic 1 : Destination Response to Covid – Marketing (20 minutes)
Government Speakers:
· TBC, Fáilte Ireland – Insights on markets – Wild Atlantic Way
· Andrea Peddle, Director of Tourism, Marketing and Visitor Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation –- Tourism Strategy “Inside Out”
Topic 2: Destination response to Covid – Health and Safety (20 minutes)
· TBC, Fáilte Ireland – Covid Safety Charter – implementation & promotion
· Craig Foley, CEO Hospitality, Newfoundland and Labrador – Doing it right Program
· 15-minute Break
Topic 3: Business Experience & The COVID Pivot 30 minutes
· Sonja Mills, Port Rexton Brewery, Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)
· Michael Gatherall and Joe O’Brien: Gatherall’s and O’Brien’s Boat Tours Collaboration Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)
· Margaret Cunningham (Glencolmcille folk Village)
· Inishowen …
Q&A Session: 30 minutes followed by Wrap Up.
Powered by: 
Contact Us
The Laurentic Forum is organised and facilitated by the Ulster Canada Initiative with funding, sponsorship and support from the following organisations:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |