NANAIMO – As Island communities navigate global pressures – from climate disruption and housing instability to geopolitical uncertainty and digital transformation – the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) invites leaders, innovators, and changemakers to come together for the 19th Annual State of the Island Economic Summit, October 28 – 30, 2025, in Nanaimo.
Now expanding to a full three-day event, the 2025 Summit will explore the intersection of policy, leadership, and systems change. It will spotlight strategies for building economic resilience through regional collaboration, values-aligned investment, and adaptive policy that reflects on-the-ground realities.
We’re not just convening a conference – we’re convening a conversation about the kind of future we want to build,” says Julie Sperber, President and CEO of VIEA. “This year’s Summit asks delegates to lead from where they are, invest in systems that work for more people, and explore bold ideas rooted in local knowledge and global thinking.”
Hundreds of decision-makers from business, government, First Nations, education, and the social profit sector are expected to attend. Key themes include housing as infrastructure, policy innovation, supply chain and trade, food security, and the integration of artificial intelligence in local industries.
The program features keynote speaker Mike Fata – co-founder of Manitoba Harvest, now an investor and mentor – whose story of purpose-driven entrepreneurship and systems-aware leadership will set the tone for high-impact dialogue. Susan Mowbray of
MNP also returns to present the much-anticipated State of the Island Report, offering insights on economic trends, regional performance, and future projections. Two additional keynote presentations will round out the mainstage program.
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