First Ever Newmarket Prosperity Round Table A Success!
The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce hosted the first ever Prosperity Round Table with representatives from a broad cross-section of the community. Business and social service leaders, and representatives from government, culture, health, youth and seniors met for half a day to discuss the key assets and opportunities for Newmarket's future growth.
The Canadian Urban Institute, a leading urban planning and policy development organization, helped to organize and facilitate the sharing of ideas and insights. Various other Ontario communities, including Waterloo and Peterborough, have undertaken similar initiatives with the goal of establishing shared understanding and common agendas for a community. The key element for the success the forum, was the involvement of many diverse voices representing a wide variety of significant organizations in Newmarket and the region.
"We can not have sustainable prosperity unless there is prosperity for all", said Debra Scott, CEO of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce. Referencing the unparalleled growth over the last decade, and the anticipated future growth that intensification will bring, keynote speakers addressed the need for a collaborative approach to charting the course for the future development of Newmarket.
Daniele Zanotti, CEO of United Way of York Region, spoke eloquently of the power and potential to solve problems when people come together to share ideas, and provided the participants with the inspiration to engage in a lively discussion.
Mayor Van Bynen provided insights into how a number of local initiatives are already building on the concept of community collaboration, referencing the Shared Digital Infrastructure project as one of the projects that highlight the power of organizations working together to facilitate Newmarket’s transformation to the digital economy.
Participants were engaged in answering several key questions: what are Newmarket’s assets, what key opportunities exist, and what specific actions could be taken to address those opportunities. Of particular interest, was the observation that Newmarket has a particularly strong identity and sense of community, and that the local organizations are rich in leadership capabilities and vision.
The Canadian Urban Institute is compiling the feedback and will produce a report in the next month that will be circulated on the Chamber's web site.
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Daniele Zanotti, CEO of United Way of York Region, delivers the Key Note Address at the inaugural Newmarket Prosperity Round Table Event, May 2010. |
