Rob McPhee, the executive director for MCN, said that his organization will host a province-wide gathering on the digital economy at Deerhurst Resort Oct. 1 to 3.

“The theme of this is on how digital tools are changing the economy. We want to have expert panelists and keynote speakers discussing exactly where the digital economy is going and how it is significantly changing the scope of business.”

He said that municipal officials, particularly those in economic development, will find the information provided at the conference to be very enlightening.

“We expect to have about 150 to 200 delegates coming right from the Manitoba border to the eastern part of the province. We also have several different ministries involved with this conference.”

He said that while there are a number of internet-related conventions springing up everywhere in recent years, this particular conference will cover new ground.

“This conference will touch on the next layer: how people will integrate and make use of digital technology to change their business model.”

McPhee said the seeds for the conference were planted more than a year ago following talks with various government agencies that eventually led to the event’s creation.

“We made it known to several public agencies that a conference like this one was a very good idea. Coincidently, the province was thinking along similar lines and when we lined up what we were both discussing it made a lot of sense to do it.”

MCN is a not-for-profit organization facilitating the implementation of telecommunications solutions for the regions of Muskoka and Almaguin by working with, and forming partnerships with, both the public and private sector. MCN is governed by a board of directors who provide regional representation on a geographical and industry basis.