SDG Counties Regional Event

SDG Counties Regional Event

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry are hosting EDCO’s Eastern Regional Professional Development Event on May 27 -28, 2026!

EDCO Regional Economic Development Professional Development Event

Earn 3 Economic Development Certification Points for Attending!

May 27 – 28, 2026

Draft Agenda

Day 1: May 27th, 2026

Pre-Conference Tour & Networking Event

Tour Departure: 1:00 PM

Kick off the conference with an immersive afternoon exploring the cultural and historical landscape of Eastern Ontario, followed by a relaxed networking experience. This tour will depart and conclude from Lost Villages Brewery: 16133 ON-36, Long Sault ON K0C 1P0 .

Stop 1: Native North American Travelling College (NNATC)

Located on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, the Native North American Travelling College is dedicated to preserving and promoting Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture and language. NNATC’s mission is to reach people, inform them, and foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and heritage through education and lived experience.

The St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project permanently transformed this region, an engineering achievement that also reshaped communities and lives. This story is explored through three distinct perspectives:

Stop 2: Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Centre

Discover the scale and impact of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project, where the remarkable feat of engineering is examined alongside its effects on the people and communities of the region.

Stop 3: Lost Villages Museum

Visit the museum that commemorates the ten villages and hamlets submerged as a result of the project, preserving their stories, buildings, and legacy.

Networking Event: Lost Villages Brewery – 4pm – 6pm

Conclude the afternoon with a networking event at Lost Villages Brewery, where locally crafted beer and community-inspired artwork keep the memory of the Lost Villages alive, one pour at a time.

Guests will enjoy a flight of beer paired with appetizers, creating a relaxed setting to connect and continue the conversation.

Day 2: May 28, 2026

8:30 AM    Registration and Light Refreshments

Start the day with a mix of insightful presentations, panels, and networking opportunities, highlighting cross-border collaboration, community development, and business growth in the region.

9:00 AM     Opening Remarks

The conference will begin with a Land Acknowledgement, followed by remarks from key leaders:

• Member of Parliament (MP)
• Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
• Warden
• Mayor
• EDCO

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM    Keynote Speaker: Global Affairs Canada

Gain insights from Global Affairs Canada on how national and international policies impact regional business and economic development. This session will focus on supporting local economic development officers and businesses as they navigate recent interprovincial and international legislative changes.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM    Panel: Cross-Border Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Explore strategies, opportunities, and lessons learned in cross-border partnerships and joint ventures, with a focus on fostering strong partnerships that benefit all communities. This session will highlight experiences in Indigenous entrepreneurship, sharing insights on how businesses and communities can work together respectfully and effectively.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how collaboration, across sectors, borders, and communities, can lead to innovative solutions, economic growth, and resilient regional development.

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM    Coffee and Networking Break

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM    Community Improvement Programs / Regional Incentives Program

This session will provide an in-depth look at how different levels of government collaborate to implement programs that support community improvement and regional growth. Attendees will gain insights, with a focus on the coordination and partnership between upper- and lower-tier municipalities.

The discussion will highlight practical examples from smaller communities, making the content highly relevant for regions like ours. Participants will hear from communities that have successfully implemented Community Improvement Programs (CIPs) and learn how these programs have evolved or shifted focus over time to address changing needs.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM   Lunch Break

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM    Panel: Cross-Business Promotion

Discover how local businesses work together to strengthen the community, preserve regional heritage, and support economic growth. This panel highlights the unique story of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project, and the Lost Villages, and how local businesses are keeping the legacy alive while driving collaboration:

• Lost Villages Brewery
• Cardinal Meats
• Lost Villages Museum

Attendees will learn how these partnerships not only preserve local history but also create innovative ways for businesses to support each other, attract tourism, and contribute to the overall vitality of the region.

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Coffee and Networking Break

2:30 – 3:30 PM    Speaker Spotlight: Ross Video

Gain insights from Ross Video, a leading technology company, on the strategies and collaborations that have fueled its regional and global growth. This session will explore:

• Investment in Staff as a Growth Strategy
• Collaboration with the Municipality and Developers
• Impacts of Tariffs on Operations

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM    Closing Remarks

Attendees will leave with practical lessons on balancing workforce development, community engagement, and global business strategy to achieve long-term success.

Venue:

South Stormont Community Hall

2 Mille Roches Road

Long Sault, ON

K0C 1P0

Accommodations:

Hampton Inn by Hilton Cornwall

1757 Vincent Massey Drive

Cornwall, ON

K6H5R6

Book Your Room Here

Rate: $214 / night

Cut Off Date: April 14, 2026

*Regional Event Registrations are non-refundable after May 13th, 2026. Before this date, registrations are refundable less a $50.00 +HST administration fee*

*Event registrations are transferrable until May 20th, 2026.*