Feb. 2017 – An Islander’s musings – 2017 BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George

I was born in Vancouver and raised and now live in Lower Vancouver Island. As a self-confessed serial entrepreneur, I have conducted business all across North America. However, over time I rarely had clients in my own province of British Columbia. After starting Harbour Digital Media (HDM) six years ago, I vowed to change that reality.

HDM currently manages two Labour Market Projects in BC. One is based with the Vancouver Island Manufacturing Sector and the second is associated with the North Central BC Manufacturing Community. Last week I attended the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George. It’s great to visit and conduct business with clients in this majestic province. Some personal musings & reflections from the BC Natural Resources Forum last week.

• Everyone knows everyone! I was astonished…business people, community organizers, politicians….they were all friends. Northern BC is vast & expansive but I felt like I was part of a village. It was a fabulous experience.
• First Nations communities and members are totally focused and determined…towards generating business opportunity and economic development. Abundant opportunity exists in the North and First Nation’s communities and leaders are fully prepared, trained and expectant to benefit and succeed.
• There exists significant sensitivity to the environmental impact from Resource Industry activity. This business community is working very hard to balance environmental and business interests. They care…a lot…and are trying hard to balance these competing interests.
• The sky is big and the roads are long. There is snow everywhere…the pickup trucks are dirty. Northerners are proud and ALL are friendly. I cannot wait to visit again soon. 🙂