Join us for a FULL-day of fireside chats exploring the cultures that shape our urban landscapes—and the tensions that exist between them.
More conversations, more speakers and more time to connect with the people shaping our cities.
Your ticket includes:
IMPORTANT: Registration/badge collection will open from 9:15am.
The theatre doors will open at 9:45am for seating, with the event commencing promptly at 10:00am.
Please note that this is a hard start time. Theatre doors will be closed at 10:00am sharp, and late arrivals may be required to wait for a suitable break before being admitted.
We encourage all attendees to arrive early to collect their badge, grab a Nemesis coffee in our lounge, and be seated before the session begins.
Getting there:
For ease and convenience we recommend using an Uber or Evo, however if you wish to drive please see parking options.
Parking Options:
Parking Option 1: Underground Parkade (Recommended) 565 Great Northern Way — ECU's official public parking, accessible by ramp from Carolina Street. Public pay parking is on Level P1. Pay at the machine near the elevator or through the HangTag app. Do not park in spots marked "Reserved for Emily Carr" — those are permit holders only and will result in a ticket.
Parking Option 2: Surface Lot (Advanced Parking Lot #119) 565 Great Northern Way (ground level). Open Monday–Saturday 8am–11pm. Payment via HangTag app. Convenient for a full day given the 7pm end time.
Parking Option 3: Surface Lot (Parking Indigo Lot 017) 701 Great Northern Way. Open 24 hours. A short walk east of the ECU building
Principal, hcma
Founder of Many Things, Field House Brewing
Principal, Hapa Collaborative
Partner, Make Space Group
Founder, Nemesis Coffee
Co-Founder, Free Agency Creative
Former Mayor of the City of North Vancouver
Civic Engagement Specialist, Susanna Haas Lyons Consulting
Founder, Fabric Living
Principal Strategist, Prism X Strategy
Manager of Placemaking & Public Spaces, Downtown Van
Principal, Ginger Gosnell-Myers Consulting
Partner, Algra Bros. Development
Director of Business Development, Blueprint
Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
Principal, Matthew Thomson Design
President, Prado Cafe
Public Event
Joseph Fry from Hapa Collaborative talks to the former Mayor of the City of North Vancouver, Darrell Mussatto, about the vision, trials, and success of The Shipyards District in North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood.
SPEAKERS: Joseph Fry (Hapa Collaborative) Darrell Mussatto (Former Mayor of the City of North Vancouver)
Melissa Higgs from hcma leads an exciting group of creative voices to elevate the spirit of collaboration in service of creating truly inclusive public spaces within our most critical urban areas.
PANELISTS: Melissa Higgs (hcma), Mari Fujita (University of British Columbia & Fubalabo Design Corp), Susanna Haas Lyons (Susanna Haas Lyons Consulting). Matthew Thomson (Matthew Thomson Design)
A short film offering thoughtful perspective and innovative new methods to convey the vision of our future places.
COLLABORATORS: Ryan Savella (Arcade Original), Mackenzie Page (Mackenzie Page Design), Amanda Oster (Provoke Studios), Geoff Hunt (Tiny Vikings), Andrew Emmerson & Joey Stevens (GBL Architects), Taizo Yamamoto (Yamamoto Architecture), Calum Srigley (Placemaker Design)
True collaboration is happening between the City of Chilliwack, developers, and local businesses. Josh Vanderheide from Field House Brewing talks to developer Dave Algra about amazing cultural changes emerging in downtown Chilliwack.
SPEAKERS: Josh Vanderheide (Field House & East Abby Hospitality Group), Dave Algra (Algra Bros. Development)
How do we design places to be truly unique destinations on Earth? Ginger Gosnell-Myers, from Ginger Gosnell-Myers Consulting, introduces how we can incorporate Indigeneity throughout the planning and design process while avoiding the advancement of colonization through current practices.
SPEAKER: Ginger Gosnell-Myers (Ginger Gosnell-Myers Consulting)
Urbanization is transforming landscapes, cultures, and economies at an unprecedented pace. Many are unprepared and hindered by outdated technology and slow-moving politics. Our panel, led by Ken Bautista from Makespace, will explore how everyone has a role to play in city building. They will share small (and big) ideas, pop-ups, and pilots that are shaping cities one project at a time.
PANELISTS: Ken Bautista (Makespace), Andrea Piccolo (Prado Cafe), Clare Warner (Downtown Vancouver BIA), Jordan MacDonald (fabric living)
A thriving and equitable nighttime economy is one that promotes economic, cultural, and social resilience. Nate Sabine from Blueprint and Hospitality Vancouver Association (HVA) and Jessica Borich from Prism X Strategy share insights from HVA‘s public consultation. Building on the collective power of the community can be a powerful driver of economic growth and community development.
SPEAKERS: Nate Sabine (Blueprint & HVA Chair), Jessica Borich (Prism X Strategy)
Nemesis Dinner
After the symposium, attend a private dinner reception at Nemesis Coffee’s Great Northern Way location – just steps away from the Reliance Theatre. Mingle at the open-seating style dinner as you enjoy an array of options from our harvest table, raw bar, and yakitori grill prepared by the visionaries behind Nemesis Coffee and their fine-dining experience, Word. The meal will be accompanied by a curation of wine and locally crafted beers provided by our UEA members. Jess Reno, Founder of Nemesis Coffee, will puncuate the evening with an exclusive talk on the concept behind Nemesis Coffee’s Great Northern Way location and how they’ve fostered community and culture in the emerging neighbourhood.
FEBRUARY 21
Emily Carr Reliance Theatre
nemesis coffee gnw