Seeking Success in the Knowledge Economy - Speaker Gord Hume

“Successful Cities: Positioning Nanaimo for
Prosperity in the Knowledge Economy*”
 
Definition and Key Concepts of a Knowledge Economy
A knowledge economy is an economy in which the production of goods and services is based primarily upon knowledge-intensive activities. In a knowledge economy, a large portion of economic growth and employmentis a result of knowledge-intensive activities. A knowledge-intensive activity involves the collection, analysis, and synthesis of information.
Success in a knowledge economy requires a commitment of workers, companies and entrepreneurs to continually learn and to increase their skills and expertise, which fosters innovation.
Examples of knowledge-based organizations include educational institutions; media; professional firms providing information-based services, medical sciences, accounting, finance, engineering, law, technological research and development companies and the arts.
The increasing growth of the knowledge economy is part of a larger shift away from production of tangible goods in developed countries towards intangible or informational goods and their delivery. An example of an informational good is the app on your smart phone or a new video game for your console.
 
Nanaimo and the Knowledge Economy
Three prominent economic leaders representing the knowledge sector in Nanaimo are Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, and Island Health. The economic impact through employment alone of these three surpasses anything else in the mid-Island. Add to this the current manufacturing sector who are reliant on technology and information to succeed, a rapidly growing tech sector.  The tech and innovation sector in the Central and Northern Vancouver Island region ranks 4th in terms of GDP. It has become increasingly clear that Nanaimo is naturally-positioned to capitalize on its geographic and lifestyle assets to grow its economy through a deliberate focus on setting the stage successfully in order to optimize the attraction to knowledge-based businesses, institutions and business-builders.
 
What is Inspire Nanaimo doing about it?
Asking questions. Inspire Nanaimo is, essentially, a think tank. A tripartite venture by the City, VIU and Chamber develops ideas and concepts around the “Successful Cities” philosophies adopted by the City in their 2012 Strategic Plan (www.inspirenanaimo.ca). The partners then try to “inspire” suitable organizations to take on activities to help achieve the vision of Successful Cities. Sometimes a few people collaborate to do that, and sometimes a lot of people participate.
Inspire Nanaimo decided that the subject of “Positioning Nanaimo for Success in the Knowledge Economy” was a priority topic for discussion among community leaders and champions this year. We’re looking to lead this discussion off with a presentation by a notable Keynote Speaker with specialized expertise on the subject.
 
The speaker chosen for our November 1 event is Gordon Hume, author, entrepreneur, public speaker, municipal affairs consultant, and multi-term elected official.
 
His last book “Places & Spaces” states that how municipalities design their public realm strongly influences their economy and culture. His newest release “The Leadership Crisis” talks about local government and how politics is an increasingly very special game. The rules are different. The boundaries are different. The environment in which things go on is quite different. Where does leadership arise from these new rules?
 
Mr. Hume will cover topics new and old while focusing on the core subject of “how to position Nanaimo for success in the knowledge economy”. Join Inspire Nanaimo, their partners and sponsors in this important discussion and see how you and your business will benefit from being in the ‘know’.