Municipal leaders from across northeastern Ontario will arrive in North Bay this week for the annual Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) conference.
Scheduled to take place May 5 to 7 at the Best Western Hotel, the theme for this year's event is ‘The Next 100 Years.’ It both pays homage to the host city's centennial, being celebrated this year, and envisions the future of Northern Ontario.
“This is a unique opportunity for officials and staff across the Northeast to share insights, address common challenges, and drive regional progress,” North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico said in a news release.
More than 250 people are expected to attend the conference, which is considered a key networking and learning opportunity for vendors, suppliers, and professionals to reach out to local decision-makers and show their support for Northern Ontario.
Participants are expected to delve into topics of regional importance, including power generation and transmission, northern highway safety, and homelessness.
Olya Sanakoev, the chief technology officer at Rogers Bank will give the keynote address, which will focus on using artificial intelligence in municipal applications.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, the province’s minister of economic development and trade, will receive the FONOM Executive Award for his work in municipal and provincial politics and his commitment to Northern Ontario.
Additional activities include a banquet and a ministers’ forum, during which provincial representatives will be on hand to discuss relevant issues with municipal leaders.
