Thank you for joining us in Winkler! 

Our 2025 Manitoba Economic Summit and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Annual General Meeting was a great success, and we are grateful to everyone who attended, all of the fantastic speakers, our generous sponsors, our Board of Directors and the Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce for co-hosting. Read our event recaps below! 

2025 Manitoba Economic Summit: Shaping Manitoba’s Economic Future

Join a dynamic lineup of influential leaders, industry experts, and decision-makers to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Manitoba’s economic landscape. Presented by Johnston Group & Chambers Plan, the 2025 Manitoba Economic Summit is a premier full-day event designed to spark insightful discussions and drive meaningful change.  

Event Agenda

Thursday, May 1 – Bernhard Thiessen Hall, Meridian Exhibition Centre

2:45 PM – Welcome Remarks

 

3:00-4:00 PM – Policy Resolutions Debate

REVIEW POLICY RESOLUTIONS UP FOR DEBATE

6:00-9:00 PM – Chairs Reception

Hosted by Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce at Winkler Arts & Culture

Friday, May 2 – Bernhard Thiessen Hall, Meridian Exhibition Centre 

8:00 AM – Breakfast & Networking

 

8:30 AM – Opening Remarks

  • Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board Chair, Beverlie Stuart
  • Mayor of Winkler, Henry Siemens 

8:45 AM – Breakfast Keynote

Honourable Glen Simard, Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations

Minister Simard's Bio

Glen Simard was elected as the MLA for Brandon East in 2023.

Before becoming an MLA, he was a teacher at École Harrison in Brandon, teaching physical education. He grew up in nearby St-Lazare and moved to Brandon to attend Brandon University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education and English. Simard has served in several volunteer roles in the community including with the Brandon Teachers’ Association, Brandon Minor Baseball and Millenium Park.

He lives in Brandon with his wife, Lori, and their two sons.

9:15 AM – Panel 1: Trade Opportunities for Manitoba Businesses  

Diversify, Expand, and Future-Proof Your Market    

How can Manitoba businesses reduce their reliance on U.S. markets and uncover new growth opportunities both at home and abroad? In an era where economic uncertainty is the norm, companies of all sizes are recognizing the urgency to “Trump-proof” their operations by exploring alternative markets and strengthening interprovincial trade. But where should you turn, and what resources can help pave the way? This dynamic panel will tackle those questions and more. Read the Panel 1 Recap

Moderated by: André Brin, World Trade Centre Winnipeg 

Panelists: 

  • Andrew Enns, Executive Vice President, Central Canada, Leger 
  • Jill Verwey, President, Keystone Agricultural Producers
  • Chris Avery, CEO, Arctic Gateway Group

10:30 AM – Wellness Break

10:45 AM – Productivity and AI Presentation with Program Director, Kay Gardiner

11:00 AM – Mid-Morning Keynote

Honourable Adrien Sala, Minister of Finance

Minister Sala's Bio

Adrien Sala was first elected as the MLA for St. James in 2019. He served as the official opposition critic for finance and Manitoba Hydro.

Before becoming an MLA, Sala worked in the financial sector with social and affordable housing, as well as with community-based programs focused on preventing crime and supporting marginalized youth. As the MLA for St. James, he helped bring new programs to the community including free Art City programming for youth, two new residents’ associations and a new community garden. Sala lives in St. James with his wife and children.

11:30 AM – Lunch and Networking  

12:00 PM – 94th Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Annual General Meeting 

  • Swearing in of 2025/26 Board of Directors
VIEW BUSINESS MEETING PACKAGE

1:00 PM – Travel Manitoba Presentation with CEO, Colin Ferguson

1:15 PM – Afternoon Keynote: U.S. Exceptionalism

With Stuart Bergman, Vice President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada

With economic nationalism on the rise, heightened geopolitical tensions and divergent domestic economic conditions, business planning has never been more complex. The presentation will look to explore these dynamics and provide actionable insights that can help businesses identify a clear path forward.

Stuart's Bio

Stuart Bergman is Vice President & Chief Economist at Export Development Canada (EDC). Mr. Bergman joined EDC in 2003, and since has held various leadership positions, including Vice President, ESG, Deputy Chief Economist, Director of the Economic & Political Intelligence Centre, Director of Corporate Strategy and Director of the Research and Analysis Division.

Mr. Bergman is responsible for overseeing EDC’s economic analysis and forecasting, global markets intelligence and corporate research groups. In addition to advising EDC’s senior management and Board of Directors, Mr. Bergman is a featured speaker at conferences, international roundtables and policy fora, and regularly appears in television, radio and print media commenting on the world economy and Canadian international trade issues. He produces a widely circulated print and video weekly commentary covering a range of global economic and business issues.

Prior to joining EDC, Mr. Bergman worked for Zurich Emerging Markets Solutions and the Foreign Policy Institute, in Washington, DC. He completed his graduate studies in International Economics and International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He currently resides in Ottawa, with his wife and three children.

2:00 PM – Wellness Break

2:15 PM – Panel 2: Buying Better

Local Procurement as a Path to Supply Chain Resilience

How can Manitoba strengthen its local supply chains while balancing cost, quality, and the realities of an integrated North American economy? As global supply chains shift and the need to support local economies grows, Manitoba businesses and municipalities are rethinking their procurement strategies. But how can we pivot to prioritize local suppliers while navigating the complexities of deeply integrated Canada-U.S. supply networks? This panel will dive into the challenges, opportunities, and implications of building a more resilient local supply chain.  Read the Panel 2 Recap 

Moderated by: Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

Panelists:

  • Christopher Henry, President, Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensary Inc. and Treasurer, Indigenous Chamber of Commerce 
  • Rick Reid, Supply Chain Manitoba
  • Jody Penner, City Manager, City of Winkler 

3:15 PM – Manitoba Green Advantage Presentation with Program Director, Christa Rust

3:30 PM – Panel 3: Bridging the Gap

Enhancing Employment Readiness in Manitoba’s Evolving Labour Market

How can Manitoba’s immigration strategies better align with workforce needs to fuel long-term growth? This panel will explore the evolving landscape of immigration policy, its impact on Manitoba’s labour market, and the province’s ongoing efforts to retain talent—both from within and beyond its borders. As federal immigration policies shift and out-migration trends persist, businesses and policymakers are searching for ways to attract, integrate, and keep skilled workers in Manitoba.  Panel Recap coming soon!

Moderated by: Bev Stuart, Vice President of Business Development and Community Initiatives at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board Chair

Panelists:

  • Dayna Hinkel, Director of Operations, Manitoba Start
  • Stan Pauls, CEO, Décor Cabinets
  • Enver Naidoo, CEO, Westman Immigrant Services

4:30 PM – Closing Remarks 

Event Highlights: 

Engaging Panel Discussions:

    • Trade Opportunities for Manitoba Businesses – Explore strategies to diversify markets, reduce dependence on U.S. trade, and capitalize on new growth opportunities.
    • Procurement and Local Supply Chains – Delve into ways to strengthen local supply networks while balancing cost, quality, and resilience.
    • Labour Market and Immigration – Examine evolving immigration policies and their impact on addressing workforce challenges and retaining top talent in Manitoba.

Keynote Addresses:

  • Hear from Manitoba’s Minister of Finance, Honourable Adrien Sala who will outline the provincial government’s strategic approach to navigating today’s economic landscape and the vital supports in place to help Manitoba businesses thrive through uncertainty.
  • Explore the province’s vision for regional prosperity as Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, Honourable Glen Simard highlights key priorities in development, collaboration, and sustainability.
  • Gain critical insights from Stuart Bergman, Vice President and Chief Economist at Export Development Canada, as he unpacks global economic trends and their implications for Manitoba’s businesses.

Networking & Collaboration:

Connect with a diverse group of stakeholders, including chamber representatives, government officials, business leaders, and members of academia—all focused on driving Manitoba’s economic success.

Why Attend? 

This summit is more than just a conference—it’s an opportunity to engage with thought leaders, gain actionable insights, and contribute to shaping Manitoba’s economic future. Whether you’re seeking to expand your knowledge, foster strategic partnerships, or influence policy, the 2025 Manitoba Economic Summit offers a valuable platform to do it all.