Jacqueline West (Byward Market District Authority), Jerome Glad (Belleville Place Making), Victoria Williston (Byward Market District Authority) and Jeanne Matthiss (Byward Market District Authority) celebrating Victoria as the new executive director of the BMDA, at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.
The City Building Summit brought together policymakers, business leaders, and community advocates in Ottawa for a full-day forum focused on the future of Canada’s Capital Region.
The 2026 event moved beyond short-term priorities to examine long-term growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. Discussions explored how artificial intelligence, talent, and productivity could support inclusive economic development.
Through panel discussions and case studies, participants highlighted lessons from other global cities while addressing key themes such as defence and sovereign innovation, sustainable energy systems, and growth priorities for 2026 to 2030. Attendees also considered how to balance rapid development with responsible stewardship, emphasizing the need to align innovation with equity.
A cocktail networking reception followed the summit, offering attendees an opportunity to connect and continue discussions.
John Liptak (Oakwood Designers and Builders) with Caroline Andrews (Engel & Völkers Ottawa) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Jamie Hurst (City of Ottawa) with Erin Benjamin (Ottawa Board of Trade) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Peter English (Real Strategy Advisors) networking at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Krista Kealy (Ottawa International Airport Authority) and Lesley Pincombe (Rogers Centre) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Michael Curran (Ottawa Business Journal) and local artist falldowng in front of his interactive art display at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Amrita Sohal (Ottawa Real Estate Board), Wei-Ling Tan (OREB), Chike Agbasi (OREB), Tami Eades (OREB) and Ian Hassell (OREB) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Kevin McHale (Downtown BIA) networking at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Steve Ball (Ottawa-Gatineau Hotel Association), Julie Kinnear (Casino Lac Leamy) and Nyle Kelly (Brookstreet Hotel and the Marshes) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Chris Brennan (Embridge Gas Inc), Rose Caddy Nwaha (Rocaderm Clinic) and Adam Halawa (Youth Ottawa) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Joshua Shaw (Ottawa Humane Society) and Jordan Freed (Kongsberg Geospatial) at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.Tara Shannon (Ottawa Festival Network/Singer/Songwriter) taking part in the live art activity at the cocktail reception, 2026 City Building Summit, Rogers Centre Ottawa, April 28, 2026. Photo by Tia MacPherson for OBJ.
