As one of the youngest and fastest growing segments in North America, Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs are poised to play a crucial role in international economic growth over the next decade. Today more than ever, forging resource development agreements that reflect Aboriginal interests is a business imperative – not just an option.

In a dynamic new session aimed at expanding these partnerships, GLOBE 2014 will offer insights and strategies for harnessing the mutually inclusive ‘Aboriginal Advantage’. The biennial conference series returns to Vancouver, Canada from March 26-28, 2014.

“As we experience profound transformations in today’s economy and demography, it is more vital than ever to build strategic alliances between Aboriginal communities and companies in order to ensure future economic success,” says John Wiebe, President and CEO of the GLOBE Foundation. “At GLOBE 2014, we’ll focus on the immense economic potential inherent in these partnerships, including new markets and a previously underutilized labour force. Moreover, we’ll explore the ultimate bottom line: reflecting Aboriginal interests just makes good business sense.”

Hundreds of billions of dollars of commercial land-based and resource development projects have already been identified in close proximity to Aboriginal communities. But securing the social license to operate in areas where Aboriginal interests exist necessitates going far beyond regulatory and legal requirements. It not only requires a totally different engagement approach, but a fundamental rethink about doing business with Aboriginals.

“Aboriginal communities are open to becoming full partners in sustainable enterprises in a diverse array of sectors from renewable energy, mining, oil and gas, transport, tourism and agriculture provided the environment is also protected,” said Chris Henderson, Senior Advisor to the GLOBE Foundation, and author of the recently published book, Aboriginal Power. “The dialogue between industry, Aboriginal communities and governments needs to move from generalities to specific commercial opportunities and partnerships,” Henderson added. "GLOBE 2014 brings that focus through the Aboriginal Advantage sessions."

“GLOBE attendees will have the opportunity to engage with those key players involved in this new reality, who can share insights and practical strategies for unlocking the potential of electricity, mining, pipeline, forest products and transmission ventures,” says Wiebe.

At the forefront of these sessions will also be a discussion of the nation-building opportunities inherent in recognizing Aboriginal Power, both as it relates to energy generation opportunities on Aboriginal lands, as well as in so far as it relates to the growing power of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit leaders in corporate boardrooms.

As the world’s largest and longest-running conference series dedicated to the business of the environment, GLOBE 2014 will boast an impressive lineup of conference speakers, including globally-recognized thought leaders and environmental business experts. The prestigious biennial event will also welcome more than 400 exhibitors from North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to its world-renowned Trade Fair, where they will showcase the latest in green, clean technologies, innovations, and services.

For more information, visit www.GLOBESeries.com.

Find us on Twitter: @GLOBE_Series.

About GLOBE
GLOBE 2014 is produced by the GLOBE Group of Companies, a conglomerate of privately-held companies dedicated to the business of the environment. GLOBE’s expertise lies in project management, event development, and management and consulting in the fields of environment and energy, urban development, and corporate responsibility. Comprised of the GLOBE Foundation, GLOBE Events Ltd., GLOBE Advisors Ltd., GLOBE Communications Ltd., GLOBE Ventures Ltd., Sustainable Events Ltd., Sustainable Media Group LLC, GLOBE Performance Solutions Ltd., and the Green Table Network, the GLOBE Group is North America’s longest operating producer of environmental events.

GLOBE Series

GLOBE Series

For the past 25 years, GLOBE Series has served as the nexus for global networking and leadership on the business of the environment. We’re about ‘Business Innovation for the Planet’ and thinking outside the box. GLOBE Series helps thousands of leaders devise winning strategies to spearhead their sectors while conserving resources, igniting innovation, and fueling ideas to help increase resiliency and reduce risk. GLOBE Series is proud to produce two biennial award-winning events: GLOBE Forum and GLOBE Capital.

GLOBE Forum offers an exciting vibe and international flair where innovators come to launch new products and partnerships. Held every two years in Vancouver, Canada, GLOBE Forum draws the best and brightest of the international sustainable business community from nearly 60 countries.

Watch the video to learn more about the GLOBE Forum event.

Join us at GLOBE Forum 2018, March 14 - 16, 2018.

GLOBE Capital is where leaders discuss how to mobilize and accelerate the capital necessary to transform our economy. Goals of this conference are to attract both innovation and new pools of capital to fund advanced, low-carbon infrastructure while mitigating investment risk and enhancing returns.

Watch the video to learn more about the GLOBE Capital event.

Join us at GLOBE Capital, Spring 2019

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