With all the doom and gloom that can seep into the collective consciousness over the local and global economy, an upcoming forum is hoping to start a conversation about why the future is brighter than it feels.
Headed up by Cranbrook city councillor Tom Shypitka, the forum will feature four local guest speakers who will talk about a wide range of subjects from Generation Y work/life balance to the power of youth to economic development in the region.
“I wanted to organize an event to talk about why we’re optimistic now and why we should be optimistic for the future,” Shypitka said.
The event will be hosted by the Key City Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 21, with local musicians getting on stage at 6:30 p.m. to warm up the crowd for a 7 p.m. start.
Tickets are $25 and $15 for students and can be purchased at the Key City Theatre, with all money going towards the East Kootenay Foundation for Health’s fundraising campaign for the permanent MRI at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.
The event will be similar to that of TED Talks — a popular conference where speakers talk about new ideas in the form of short, powerful presentations.
The event lineup includes Eric Termuende, Stan Chung, Joe Pierre and Rick Jensen.
Termuende will speak on the general awareness of what optimism in the East Kootenay looks like and exploring the basic values of family and community and the redefinition of what being successful means.
Chung, the Vice President, Education and Applied Research at the College of the Rockies, will be joined by fellow COTR staff including Dianne Teslak, Codie Morigeau and Marnie Kile to speak about the economic impact the college has within Cranbrook and the East Kootenay.
Joe Pierre, with the Ktunaxa Nation, will deliver a presentation on the power of youth, while Rick Jensen, chair of the board of directors for the Columbia Basin Trust, will talk about the CBT and investments in growing the area, including the Cranbrook Kimberley Development Initiative.
Other speakers will include Laurie Dickson, a personal trainer and world champion fitness model, while Tristen Chernove could make an appearance if he makes it back to Cranbrook in time, as he is currently competing in the Rio Paralympics.
