City Building Summit 2025: Ottawa Strong

SOLD OUT. Please add your name to the waiting list.

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Who Should Attend:

• City Builders: Developers, architects, urban planners and investors.

• Policymakers: Government officials and public sector leaders.

• Business Leaders: Entrepreneurs and executives from various industries.

• Community Advocates: Residents and activists interested in shaping Ottawa's future.

Agenda:

• 7:30 AM - Registration & Networking

• 8:30 AM - Opening Remarks

• 8:40 AM - ​Mayor's Address by His Worship Mark Sutcliffe

• 9:00 AM - Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda

  • Join urban visionary Mary Rowe and key stakeholders for a dynamic deep dive into the heart of downtown Ottawa's transformation. This session tackles the pressing issues of housing, transit, and community safety, exploring both the challenges we face and the progress being made. Expect an engaging, solutions-focused discussion that highlights bold ideas, successful strategies, and the power of collaboration in shaping a thriving, resilient urban core. If you are invested in the future of downtown Ottawa, and you are, this is your chance to be part of the conversation driving real change.

• 10:00 AM - Empowering Developers: Building Cities of Tomorrow

  • Around the world, leading cities are proving that sustainable development and economic growth can go hand in hand - so how can Ottawa rise to the challenge? This session dives into cutting-edge strategies for balancing economic, social, and environmental priorities in city-building. Discover real-world success stories from global leaders and explore the innovative approaches making zero-carbon and affordable housing a reality. From bold policies to breakthrough projects, this conversation will challenge conventional thinking and spark new ideas for shaping a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Ottawa.

• 10:50 AM - Animating the Capital: An Update on NCC Projects

  • An update on NCC projects underway in the National Capital region with a focus on the many initiatives along its shorelines and waterways, including its growing number of bistros and taverns.

• 11:10 AM - Amplifying Ottawa: Building A Music City

  • Music isn't just entertainment - it's an economic powerhouse and a key ingredient in vibrant, thriving cities. With fresh insights from the latest economic impact report, this panel dives into Ottawa's potential as a dynamic music hub. Explore bold strategies to support local venues, artists, and cultural infrastructure, ensuring that live music fuels both community spirit and economic growth. From policy innovations to industry collaborations, discover how Ottawa can amplify its music scene and stake its claim as a premier destination for music lovers and creators alike. The future of our city's sound starts here - be part of the movement!

• 12:00 PM - Lunch & Networking

• 1:15 PM - Powering Ottawa: Breaking Through the Energy Wall

  • Ottawa's energy future is at a crossroads. As electrification surges, industries expand, and the race to net-zero 2050 accelerates, our power infrastructure faces a critical challenge - can it keep up? Without urgent action, grid instability, supply shortages, and rising demand could stall growth and put businesses, residents, and future developments at risk. Climate pressures and system resilience add even more urgency. This high-stakes session brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and energy experts to tackle Ottawa's energy reality head-on. What are the barriers to sustainable growth? What bold solutions exist? And what immediate steps must we take to ensure a stable, sustainable, and future-ready energy system? The time to act is now - before the grid limits Ottawa's potential.​

Speakers:

Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association	Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade	Bryce Conrad, President & CEO, Hydro Ottawa	Jennifer Cross, Business Development Manager, MARANT Construction
Christine Crump, President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa	Michael Curran, Publisher, Ottawa Business Journal	Scott Delaney, Chairman & CEO, Lumenix	Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner, City of Ottawa
Greg Lindsay, Urbanist, Futurist, Speaker	Cameron Love, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital	Brendan McGuinty, Chair, Ottawa Board of Trade	Mark Monahan, Executive Director,Ottawa Bluesfest
Tobi Nussbaum, CEO, National Capital Commission	Andrew Reeves, Architect, Principal Partner, Linebox Studio	Mary W. Rowe, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Institute	Ali Shafaee, Regional Vice President, Live Nation Canada
Julie St-Pierre, Interim VP, Research & Innovation, University of Ottawa	Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department, City of Ottawa	Eric Stubbs, Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service	His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa
Jonathan Westeinde, Founder & CEO, Windmill Development Group