By / Robin Baldwin
It won’t matter “where does ya longs to” (where do you come from) or “who knit ya” (who your parents are), St. John’s will be your home and TIAC your family the week of August 20.
Since everyone will be coming from away, you won’t want to wait to book your room at the Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre. You won’t have time to see much throughout the week, so consider extending your stay to venture beyond St. John’s.
Do you want to disconnect from the world on Fogo Island? There was a time when this island was thought to be one of the four corners of the world.
Maybe you would like to travel back to the time of Vikings and explore the remains of the first and only known North American settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows).
Or would you prefer to explore the “soaring fjords and moody mountains that tower above a diverse panorama of beaches and bogs, forests and barren cliffs” of Gros Morne National Park? Read more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site at parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nl/grosmorne.
Perhaps a road trip is more your style. Consider cruising the coastal highways that wind along the fingers of the Avalon Peninsula. Stop in at the fishing villages, local historical spots, and hiking trails along the way, while overnighting at cute bed and breakfasts. Check out newfoundlandlabrador.com/trip-ideas/road-trips-landing for ideas.
Yes b’y! Get on the go, adventure awaits!
Whattaya At? D’is Is It!
Now that your appetite for Newfoundland has been whet, let’s dive into the Conference programming.
The presentations on Thursday morning will start with welcomes from the mayor of Long Harbour Mount Arlington Heights, TIAC’s own Walter Keating, and the mayor of St. John’s, Danny Breen.
We will then be joined by local Olympic and world champion Brad Gushue. Brad will share his experience successfully balancing a demanding athletic career, family life, and several businesses.
After hearing about high-performance athleticism and entrepreneurship with Brad, we will delve into machine learning and the implementation of AI into your business with Cory Janssen. Cory is co-founder and co-CEO of one of North America’s largest venture studios focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning. You definitely won’t want to miss this session!
On Friday morning we will have presentations by Michele Jones and NIA’s president, as well as Tristan Bertram, TIAC’s director of industry affairs. During this interactive session, Tristan will unveil our strategic plans for fostering industry growth, sustainability, and excellence; discuss how TIAC is shaping the future of the thermal insulation industry; and explore opportunities for collaboration and engagement with the members in attendance.
Saturday will feature additional technical presentations that will share local perspectives on the industry.
G’wan Witcha! That’s Not All!
From start to finish, the conference will include plenty of opportunities for a scoff and a scuff. From the Manufacturer and Distributor Reception and the Rally in the Alley to the President’s Ball, the evening events will be filled with local food and music.
The daily add-on activities will give you a small taste of what The Rock offers adventure-wise. On Thursday tour St. John’s, Cape Spear, Signal Hill, Jelly Bean Row, Quidi Vidi Village, and many other historical sites. Friday afternoon, head out to Bay Bulls for the boat tour to Bird Island to see the Atlantic puffins and humpback whales. Don’t have sea legs? We’ve got golf that afternoon, as well. Saturday morning will see you playing in the Ocean Sciences Centre touch tank and dipping your toes into the ocean at Middle Cove’s pebble beach. Saturday afternoon, lace up for the North Head Trail, a thrilling and exerting adventure that passes through abandoned WWII bunkers, spans rock clefts, and hugs the cliffs so closely in places, there’s scarcely room for a chain rail to assist your crossing. You will be well deserving of the pint waiting at the end of the hike!
Your TIAC Board is Excited to See You and Your Families This Summer
As a reminder, you’re going to want to book your flights early. Be sure to use the airport code YYT so that you end up in St. John’s, Newfoundland and not Saint John, New Brunswick!
To learn more about St. John’s and Newfoundland, we encourage you to visit destinationstjohns.com and newfoundlandlabrador.com.
Long may your big Jib draw! ▪
