London Calling: My Experiences at London Tech Week 2023
In Edmonton, tech and innovation are more than just buzzwords. Many people I talk to are surprised at how much our tech industry has grown in recent years. Since 2020, our startup ecosystem value increased by 236% since 2020, reaching $641 million in 2022!
Edmonton’s expertise in tech, artificial intelligence, and energy innovation will help build business and attract the investments we need to remain a competitive choice for companies both big and small. With the mission to bring our city’s investment potential to the global stage, the Alberta Delegation went to London Tech Week 2023.
Edmonton has endless potential, and my time in London affirmed that we can become global leaders in tech and innovation. I am inspired and energized by this experience, and I want to share some of my key takeaways from this exceptional gathering with all of Edmonton.
Through the week, the Alberta Delegation was able to make many connections with business leaders from across the world. One of the highlights of the event was my meeting with Rajesh Agrawal, the Deputy Mayor of London for Business. Rajesh shared his inspiring journey, starting from humble beginnings as an immigrant from India to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
His firm, London & Partners, the renowned business growth and destination agency for London, hosted the International Delegate’s Reception. We talked about the importance of supporting businesses and creating opportunities for the youth of the world to sustain a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
One of my focuses this year is engaging youth and young workers to help build a city that works for them. After all, the Edmonton Region was ranked as the best community in the country for youth work in 2020! I am bringing back some of the insights he shared to inform our work on making economic prosperity more accessible for young people in Edmonton.
Another focus of the trip was to learn about the sustainable transportation efforts happening in London — these innovations were centre-stage during the Metroline Tour. Like Edmonton, London is promoting eco-friendly commuting, and used the festivities to reveal their new fleet of 20 hydrogen fuel cell double-decker buses.
As more cities adopt low carbon transportation options, we can build on the learnings from other transit authorities as we implement our own plans. Working across municipalities, even if they are across the globe, helps us be more efficient with our resources at home.
Did you know that Canada is the third most recommended travel destination by British travelers? Building strong connections for our economy also includes the value of Canadian tourism for folks in the UK and beyond. The Destination Canada Reception showcased our tourism potential and Explore Edmonton, represented by Nicola Alexander shone bright! With our ever-expanding direct flights to Europe, I know we will be welcoming many tourists from Europe in the years to come.
Next up was the CGI meeting on sustainability, energy transition and smart cities. CGI is one of the largest IT and business consulting services in the world, and it was founded in Canada. As a leading provider of IT and business consulting services, CGI gathered experts who shared valuable insights and trends in these areas. CGI has an office right here in Edmonton, and it was great to see them represented at London Tech Week.
Artificial intelligence took center stage at the AI Summit Fireside Chat and Luncheon. The event featured Cam Linke from Edmonton’s own AMII (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), and together we delved into the advancements and implications of AI. The knowledge exchange among attendees fostered a deeper understanding of this transformative technology.
To promote investment opportunities in Alberta, I attended the Invest Alberta Reception. This networking event provided a platform to connect with potential investors and showcase the immense potential of Edmonton and Alberta. It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and interest from those eager to contribute to our region’s growth.
Representing Edmonton at the Strong Cities Summit alongside other Canadian cities like Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa was a humbling experience. The summit focused on preventing and countering violent extremism, and the insights gained from the toolkit developed by Strong Cities were invaluable. Collaborating and learning from other cities’ experiences reinforced the importance of collective efforts in building safe and inclusive communities, and it was my honour to deliver a keynote speech about the City of Edmonton’s anti-racism strategies.
My journey concluded at Frankfurt Economic Development Corporation, the first point of contact for businesses, founders, and companies looking to establish themselves in the city. I discovered a dedicated team committed to fostering growth and providing invaluable support. Their expertise in Frankfurt’s economic structure coupled with their extensive network of industry get-togethers, allows them to connect businesses with like-minded entities, driving economic progress.
London Tech Week 2023 was a transformative experience, brimming with engaging meetings, informative discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. It served as a powerful platform to showcase Edmonton’s potential, forge international collaborations, and gain insights into global technological advancements. Edmonton is on its way to being a global leader in tech, and putting our city on international stages is essential as we continue to grow our economy.
