Agenda

Summit Day 1

Summit Day 2

Summit Day 3

Summit Day 1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT

The Hilton Vancouver Metrotown

February 25, 2026

7:30 AM

Networking & Breakfast

8:30 AM

Welcome Ceremony

Sam George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation

8:50 AM

Opening Remarks

Angie Whitfield, President & CEO, Burnaby Board of Trade

Mike Oulton, MC

9:00 AM

Sponsor Remarks

Chris Peters, Executive Director, Tourism Burnaby

Justin Reeve, Regional Advisor, Invest in Canada

Dr. Vidya Vankayala, Director, BCIT Applied Research

9:30 AM

Keynote Presentation

Pockets of the Future

Climate futurist, Michael Barnard, highlights Canada’s potential to be seen as a global leader in clean energy. He explores how Canada can stand out by using existing resources and collaborating efficiently to secure its position on the world stage. Barnard identifies untapped potentials specific to BC, such as pre-fabricated mass timber and the strategic wind and solar relationship with the United States. Finally, he discusses what Burnaby and Metro Vancouver are getting right regarding District Energy optimism, and explores reality-based opportunities to define Burnaby as a sustainable Clean Energy Hub.

Speaker:

Michael Barnard

10:15 AM

Panel Discussion

Burnaby: Leading the Way in Clean Energy for a Strong Competitive Market

Burnaby has become a global powerhouse for clean technology. Join local industry leaders as they share their journey from startups to global competitors and explain why Burnaby’s unique ecosystem is the ultimate launchpad for scaling clean energy innovation.

Speakers:

Brett Henkel

Diego Mandelbaum

Grace Quan

Moderator:

Angie Whitfield

11:00 AM

Coffee Break

11:15 AM

Panel Discussion

Funding for Clean Energy Projects in BC

This panel explores the diverse funding instruments and investment strategies driving the energy transition in British Columbia. Join us to explore key capital strategies for advancing clean energy initiatives, followed by an interactive Q&A.

Speaker:

Moderator:

12:00 PM

Q&A

12:15 PM

Networking & Lunch

1:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

Pathway to Commercialization

Tiffany Ballroom A

Move beyond the research lab and onto the global market. This breakout highlights the strategic resources and accelerator programs designed to help clean energy startups navigate the complexities of commercialization and achieve long-term scale.

Speakers:

Moderator:

Collaborating Across Sectors

Tiffany Ballroom B/C

Take a global look at the shifting landscape of clean energy resources. This session identifies the world's best potential locations for water, wind, solar, and minerals, highlighting the vital role of cross-sector partnerships in unlocking these opportunities.

Speakers:

Moderator:

Dr. Kristina Lygnerud

2:15 PM

Coffee Break

2:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

Equipping the Workforce for a Low-Carbon Economy

Tiffany Ballroom A

Bridge the gap between classroom innovation and industrial application. This breakout highlights the critical role of Burnaby’s academic leaders in preparing skilled workers for the engineering and construction challenges of a low-carbon world. Discover the new credentials and hands-on training models that are keeping our local labor market competitive and ready for the energy transition.

Speakers:

Dr. Elaina Guilmette

Moderator:

Moving Targets: Revolutionary Vehicle Grid Integration

Tiffany Ballroom B/C

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) has moved beyond pilots and promises. The discussion will focus on real-world V2X deployment—what’s working, what’s slowing progress, and where alignment across policy, infrastructure, and partnerships is still needed. Expect candid insights from those actively navigating implementation, not just theory. If V2X is on your roadmap, this is the conversation about what it takes to move from readiness to action.

Speakers:

Moderator:

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Recap in the Ballroom

Please note that event details are subject to change. For more information, email ces@bbot.ca

Summit Day 2

IMPLEMENTATION AND POLICY

The Hilton Vancouver Metrotown

February 26, 2026

7:30 AM

Networking & Breakfast

8:30 AM

Welcome Ceremony

Coastal Wolfpack

9:00 AM

Sponsor Remarks

Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions (Pre-Recorded)

Elicia Maine, Simon Fraser University

His Worship, Mayor Mike Hurley, City of Burnaby

9:30 AM

Keynote Presentation

Flipping the Switch: From Regulation to Clean Energy Activation

Morettini highlights how Canada’s strong Sustainable-by-Design foundation sets the stage for immediate action. She explores how economic drivers, such as Deep Sky initiatives and liquified clean hydrogen, can position Canada as a global Climate Competitor. Focusing on Burnaby, she emphasizes the potential to scale District Energy using proven models without waiting for new breakthroughs, while AI software will be critical to manage the complexity of BC’s increasingly diversified power grid. Finally, Morettini outlines strategies to break silos by fostering collaboration between policymakers, innovators, and investors to effectively model and manage risk.

Speaker:

Elena Morettini

10:15 AM

Panel Discussion

Policy and Adoption: Getting Projects Off the Ground

Policy is the foundation of the energy transition, but activation is the goal. This session identifies the specific ways government and industry can collaborate to foster project adoption within established policy procedures.

Speaker:

Amandeep Garcha

Deborah Harford

Luke Gillies

Moderator:

Councillor Alison Gu

10:50 AM

Q&A Session

11:00 AM

Coffee Break

11:15 AM

Panel Discussion

The Progress and Opportunities of District Energy Locally and Abroad

From local community systems to large-scale international networks, district energy offers a unique pathway to decarbonization. This breakout session highlights current progress in the sector and identifies emerging opportunities for implementation.

Speakers:

James Lota

Dr. Kristina Lygnerud

Lise Townsend

Shiva Prakash

Moderator:

Hami Ben Bassat

12:00 PM

Q&A Session

12:15 PM

Networking & Lunch

1:15 PM

Pop-Up Exhibitor Showcase & Networking

Step into the Tiffany Ballroom for a concentrated look at the future of energy. This interactive showcase features a curated selection of emerging startups and established leaders presenting their latest clean-tech innovations.