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View profile for Peter van Dongen, graphic

Business Development Manager at MNP | Vice Chair at Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation | Connecting people and ideas to build businesses and communities

It felt like summer had officially arrived in Port Alberni last night at the COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) meet and greet for innovators, industry leaders and collaborators in BC's ocean and marine industries. With its beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Alberni inlet and habour, you couldn't have picked a more perfect venue for an ocean and marine event than The Starboard Grill. Thanks to Brad DeClercq at Starboard and the entire COAST team for hosting a fantastic evening! As a networking event, the formal presentations were rightly kept very short. However, I appreciated the gracious welcome message from Chief Ken Watts on behalf Tseshaht First Nation, who noted that it was only the second time he had attempted to deliver such a message in his native language. Councillor Debbie Haggard from the City of Port Alberni also spoke briefly, highlighting the Alberni Valley's existing assets and potential for further ocean and marine development. This includes a grant of nearly $3 million from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, announced earlier this month, to help the Port Alberni Port Authority to expand the seafood processing capabilities at The Port Alberni Food Hub , The Dock . You can read more about that project here: https://lnkd.in/gSEHqWvJ It was great to connect with Julie Sperber, Pat Deakin, Dan Stelck, Jason Goldsworthy and many others, including Jolleen Dick who captured this photo for us. I chuckled when I saw it as clearly I was the only one who forgot my sunglasses! #vancouverisland #portalberni #blueeconomy #oceaneconomy #pacificcoast #bcmarineindustries

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Travis Koivula, CFA, CFP, CIM, FCSI, CSWP

Empowering executives and small businesses owners to achieve their financial dreams

1mo

My favourite part of summer is driving up to Port Alberni to hop in my friend boat and head to his floating cabin by the Broken Islands Group(Barkley Sound) to do some fishing.🎣 Late July can’t come fast enough.

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Julie Sperber

Building Alliances for Economic Vitality & Sustainability

1mo

What a great evening of networking by the water in Port Alberni. Big things underway for the city and the blue economy. Thanks to COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) for bringing us together.

Dan Stelck

Account Executive Business Development @ Array

1mo

I also enjoyed connecting with this crew and others. It was a wonderful venue and there were some great conversations about the opportunities in the blue economy for Vancouver Island. Thanks again to the hosts!

Great summary of a really enjoyable evening. Thanks for being there Peter.

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