Hamilton Economic Summit 2012 - Hamilton HIVE Update

Each year the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce hosts a regional Economic Summit that seeks to encourage dialogue on regional development, and inspire new initiatives that both boost the profile of the Greater Hamilton Area, as well as the lifestyle of its citizens.

Being that the Hamilton HIVE was a project derived from the 2010 Hamilton Economic Summit, each year an update is presented on its work and progress to date.  This year, the update was presented as a video, filmed, and produced by Mindy Tweedle of Tweedle Productions, and featuring myself, speaking on the behalf of the Hamilton HIVE.

Hamilton Employment Crawl

In early April I had the pleasure of participating in the production of a video introduction for the Hamilton Employment Crawl, coordinated by McMaster University's Student Success Centre.  This was done both in my capacity as Chair of the Hamilton HIVE, and as a young McMaster alumni who has chosen to remain, and to live, work, and play in the Hamilton community.  

This was a fantastic initiative.  A long overdue attempt to bridge the education that students receive at McMaster with the experiences, opportunities, careers, and life that they can then pursue in Hamilton, Ontario, following their studies.  Special thanks go to Gisela Oliveira and Kathy Woo.  

You can find more information about the video and employment crawl below, in the excerpt copied from the McMaster Youtube page.

On April 25th and 26th, a hundred and fifty students participated in the Hamilton Employment Crawl (HEC). Students and team leaders traveled to organizations around the city to uncover why Hamilton is their city to live, work and play. 

As a project of HEC, a video interview was conducted among employers and young professional in Hamilton. The video asks interviewees about their living and working experiences in the city, as well as their relationship with the community slogan, "You Can Do Anything in Hamilton".  

Thank you to the Student Life Enhancement Fund, Sponsors (The City of Hamilton, McMaster Innovation Park, CoBALT Connects and the Hamilton Police Services) and Strategic Focus Group members (Brent Kinnaird, Cyndi Ingle, Dave Mossman, Gina Robinson, Gisela Oliveira, Kathy Woo, Michael Marini, Ruth Liebersbach, Steph Seagram, Jeremy Freiburger, and Paul Berton) for making HEC possible.  

The video was directed, produced and edited by Kathy Woo     

Photo courtesy of Melissa Height, Bee Bodies courtesy of... We're still trying to figure that out

Tuesday, April 3 saw the publication of the second issue of the Hamilton Spectator's new monthly business magazine.  The headlining feature for April's issue was all about the swelling activity of Young Professionals, Leaders and Entrepreneurs in the city of Hamilton, with a specific focus on the groups that they maintain, connect, network, and seek to further various community agendas through.

Given this focus, a large portion of the feature discussed the Hamilton HIVE, and specifically profiled Melissa Height (Vice-Chair), Matt Terry (Secretary), and myself (Chair).

This feature was a very welcome sign of both recognition of, and encouragement to, continue to push forward with all thing incredible things that Young Leaders are making, building, developing, and doing in Hamilton, Ontario.

Congratulations to all my fellow Young Professional, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders, keep up the fantastic work!

The article can be read here. 

"Ryan Moran is chair of Hamilton Hive, the umbrella organization for the growing number of YP groups in the city and was one of a team of two who just won Canada's Next Top Ad Execs. He said these YP networks are encouraging young professionals to stay here and build careers. They have also encouraged others to move here from Toronto and other urban centres. 

'It's been about bolstering each other and encouraging each other at the same time, showing other YPs outside the city what's going on here.' "

Hamilton Hive 2012 Exec Committee

The excerpt below is from the official "Buzz" blog of the Hamilton HIVE.  The HIVE is a young-professional and young-leaders collective based in Hamilton, Ontario.  It works to unite the existing young-professional, leader and entrepreneur groups in Hamilton, making stronger connections and establishing better networks to truly empower them as a community.  In January 2012, I assumed the role as the Chair of the HIVE, this blog entry was the official  announcement of the complete executive committee, this looks to be an exciting year for the Hamilton HIVE and I look forward to working with these great people!

Chair - Ryan Moran

Vice-Chair - Melissa Height

Secretary - Matt Terry

Past-Chair - Michael Marini

"Congratulations and welcome aboard to Matt Terry! Matt has been ratified as the 2012 Secretary for the Hamilton Hive. You can view the full Hamilton HIVE 2012 Executive Committee here. 

Matt Terry currently works for the Office of Public Relations at McMaster University and also a member of theArt Gallery of Hamilton’s CLiC group. Matt joins Vice-Chair Melissa Height, of Serious Monkey and member of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s YEP committee, and Chair Ryan Moran, independent consultant and also a member of CLiC, as the 2012 Executive Committee of the Hamilton HIVE. 

Michael Marini, of the City of Hamilton, will also be returning to the Executive Committee in the role of Past-Chair, and all members of the HIVE committee and community would like to offer the most sincerest of thanks to 2011 HIVE secretary, Brooke Gordon. 

Thank you to everyone for your interest in these roles! The 2012 Hamilton HIVE Executive Committee very much looks forward to working with all Hamilton’s amazing young professionals and leaders in enhancing this great city."