Jarid Taylor, owner of Brandigenous, speaks at Rising Economy 2024. Photo credit: James MacDonald.
VICTORIA – The woman who soared from pilot to founder of Canada’s first Indigenous airline. The entrepreneur who transformed a dying community into a world-renowned destination. The music entrepreneur who put Rifflandia on the must-see festivals map. The credit union CEO who believes banking can change the world for the better. The economist with her eye on how the headlines impact the economy.
Teara Fraser, CEO of Iskwew Air. Photo credit: Josh Neufeld
These are just some of the changemakers delivering keynotes at the Rising Economy conference at the Delta Hotels Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria from March 4 to 6.
Now in its sixth year, the highly anticipated event attracts a diverse audience, from small business owners to CEOs, community leaders and policymakers.
With two days of in-person content and one day of virtual, Rising Economy 2025 features a host of panels, rapid-fire innovation sessions and exciting keynotes, including Teara Fraser, the Métis CEO of B.C.-based Iskwew Air, Zita Cobb, co-founder and CEO of Shorefast and Fogo Island Inn and Nick Blasko, cofounder CEO, Rifflandia Entertainment Co.
The theme for this year’s conference is “What is Possible?”.
“This is a very unpredictable time for business, particularly in light of the actions of the current U.S. administration, so we wanted this year’s Rising Economy to feel empowering,” says Aaron Stone, CEO of South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), Greater Victoria’s economic alliance, which produces the Rising Economy conference.
“We want people to come away from the conference feeling connected, inspired and equipped with actionable takeaways to help shape their futures.”
Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, for RBC, says “We are excited to return as Presenting Sponsor of the Rising Economy Conference 2025, and we look forward to sharing insights and ideas to help businesses thrive and communities prosper in the new economy.”
RBC’s Rachel Battaglia’s keynote presentation at the conference will provide an economic forecast for 2025, discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The conference is presented in partnership with Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of PacifiCan, says “British Columbia’s economy is built on the strength of small- and medium-sized businesses and the entrepreneurial leaders behind them.
The Government of Canada is proud to support the Rising Economy Conference in Victoria, which highlights innovation across the province, strengthens business connections, and builds regional prosperity for years to come.”
Vancity CEO Wellington Holbrook, who will also present a keynote address during the conference, writes of the credit union’s ongoing support of Rising Economy: “we believe communities thrive when local entrepreneurs have the confidence to dream about starting and growing their businesses – and have the tools to turn those dreams into reality. Rising Economy plays a critical role in the South Island region by bringing business, government, First Nations, and the nonprofit sector together to help each other make their communities better. We are proud to support its work to build a local economy that’s resilient, innovative, sustainable and equitable.”
In person tickets for the event are sold out, but tickets for the virtual day (March 6) are now available. These are free and invite participation in conversations about accelerating innovation, responding to natural disasters, energizing our future, leveraging AI and more.
For information and to register, go to OurRisingEconomy.com.
