The inaugural Leading Edge Quinte event was a resounding success, bringing together more than 80 business and community leaders from a wide range of industries on June 11 at Batawa Ski Hill.
Hosted by the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, the event marked a new chapter for leadership development in the Bay of Quinte region. Reimagined from its previous virtual format featuring international speakers, Leading Edge Quinte introduced a locally focused, in-person experience that was enthusiastically embraced by attendees.
The morning featured engaging presentations from three local speakers, Barbara Yebuga of Josh’s Diner, Theresa Bailey of Starfish Synergies and Dr. Kylie Bragdon of Brag Media. Each offering their own unique perspective on persevering through times of uncertainty. Through personal stories, practical insights, and leadership lessons, attendees were encouraged to navigate challenges with confidence while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
Adding to the event’s success was host Dug Stevenson, Executive Director and CMO of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board. Stevenson brought energy, enthusiasm, and thoughtful discussion to the stage, helping create an engaging and interactive atmosphere throughout the morning.
“The energy in the room was electric from start to finish,” said Suzanne Andrews, CEO at the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. “It was inspiring to see leaders from across our region come together to learn, connect, and support one another. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re thrilled with how the new format was received.”
Beyond the presentations, attendees enjoyed valuable networking opportunities and meaningful conversations with fellow professionals. The event concluded with s’mores around the fire, creating a relaxed, retreat like setting for continued community connection and relationship building.
The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors whose support made the event possible.
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor the City of Quinte West for its leadership and commitment to fostering business growth and leadership development in the community.
Additional thanks go to Supporting Sponsor Quinte Broadcasting; Break Sponsors Small Business Centre/Trenval Business Development Corporation, Starboard Communications, and National Car Rental; and Community Builder Sponsor Quinte Home Builders’ Association.
The success of the first-ever Leading Edge Quinte demonstrates the strong demand for locally driven leadership development opportunities and reinforces the value of bringing business leaders together to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration.
