Started in 2009, ELNstudio is an annual one-day conference that brings together close to 200 rising leaders working in different sectors, and across the GTHA, to explore and develop action-oriented solutions to the some of the region’s most pressing civic issues, such as transportation, affordable housing and public spaces.
As the largest gathering of emerging leaders, the annual event gives attendees the opportunity to hear insights from regional experts on different topics, collaborated with other emerging leaders from various background, and delve into how they can have a greater impact on our region.
Interested in seeing how this high-energy, high-impact event has evolved since 2009? Take a tour down memory lane with us below.
ELNstudio 2015: Re-imagining today for tomorrow with fresh ideas to revitalize public space
On Saturday November 7, 2015,CivicAction’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) held it’s 7th annual ELNstudio. In partnership with the University of Toronto, almost 200 rising leaders came together to generate fresh ideas and innovative solutions to answer one central question: how might we collaboratively redefine public spaces in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)? Emerging leaders from every sector – private, public, not-for-profit, labour, and academia – had a chance to roll up their sleeves and get poised for action.
To relive a great day of city-building, check out our news release and these great articles from Yonge Street Media and University of Toronto News. Be sure to also check out photos from the day and #ELNstudio15!
ELNstudio 2014: Civic Leadership in Motion – Shaping our Urban Health
On Saturday, November 29, 2014, close to 150 emerging leaders across different sectors gathered at the University of Toronto Mississauga for CivicAction’s sixth annual ELNstudio. Attendees heard insights from regional experts on the topics of mental health, affordable housing, physical fitness and public space. Emerging leaders then rolled up their sleeves to generate fresh, innovative solutions to urban health issues.
Mayor John Tory made a surprise appearance, saying “I look forward as the next Mayor of Toronto to working with our future leaders to foster an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. As one of the founding leaders and former Chair of CivicAction, I know and understand the creative desires of young professionals, and I look forward to promoting Toronto as a hub for technology and innovation,” said Tory. See our news release and make sure to take a look at some of the great photo’s of the day here.
ELNstudio 2013: It’s Our Economy, Lead In
On Saturday, November 2, 2013, rising leaders fgathered at CivicAction’s fifth annual Emerging Leaders Network Studio event to “lead in” to our economy’s future by designing project ideas which will be incubated through CivicAction’s Emerging Leaders Network. The event focused on a range of issues including job prospects for new graduates, youth employment, local economic development, micro-entrepreneurship and connections to other Great Lakes city-regions. Speakers represented business, education, and community leaders from different sectors and parts of the region. To see pictures from the amazing day of action, click here.
ELNstudio 2012: Enough Talk, Let’s Move! Spurring Action on our Region’s Transportation Challenges
On November 29, 2012, 200 emerging leaders came together to find ways to make it easier to get around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Under the mantra “Enough Talk, Let’s Move!” these civic leaders tested new ideas and built partnerships to activate them. Keynote speakers included John Longbottom, Canadian Smarter Cities Strategy Leader at IBM Canada, and Bruce McCuaig, President and Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx. Six transportation themes were addressed, from public-private partnerships to amplifying the impact of CivicAction’s “What would you do with 32?” regional transportation campaign. Click here to see the pictures.
ELNstudio 2011: Bold, collaborative action on tough regional issues
On December 1, 2011, CivicAction’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) hosted 150+ rising leaders who work in Toronto region governments, businesses and non-profits at our third annual ELNstudio event, held at the Corus Quay. The day-long ELNstudio saw civic-minded leaders working collaboratively to identify and commit to new strategic actions on tough issues and big opportunities. Highlights of the day included ELN members pitching city building projects to an audience of 150+ emerging and senior leaders, and Dave Meslin’s keynote igniting a sense of optimism and mobilizing people to create change. See the energy in the room here.
ELNstudio 2010: Emerging Leaders Network gather for city-building ideas and projects
For the second annual ELNstudio event on December 9, 2010, a diverse group of future leaders gathered to collaborate and explore ideas to help Toronto to become an even greater city. Over 150 ELNstudio participants had the opportunity to find out what’s next for Toronto Homecoming and Better Ballots, which were unveiled at ELNstudio ’09, and learn about other city-building projects and how to collaborate to launch new ones. Finally, participants played a big role in helping shape the Toronto City Summit Alliance’s Toronto Summit 2011 agenda. The keynote speaker was General Rick Hillier, author of Leadership: 50 Points of Wisdom for Today’s Leaders, who spoke about leadership insights.
ELNstudio 2009: Emerging Leaders Set Their City-Building Agenda for Toronto
In December of 2009, the ELN hosted the city’s up-and-coming leaders for their inaugural ELNstudio event. The event saw a new generation of civic-minded leaders present strategic projects focused on shaping Toronto’s future. Working groups of ELN members presented five city-building initiatives: Toronto Homecoming. animating John Street, creating a living library of Torontonians, exploring municipal voting reform to increase the effectiveness and diversity of municipal councils, and enhancing awareness and dispelling myths about poverty through outreach and engagement with senior leaders
Networking was a key element of the day, which merged the insights and advice of noted city leaders including Mayor David Miller, John Tory, Glen Murray, Dr. John Evans, Courtney Pratt, Susan Pigott, Tim Jones and Ilse Treunicht. A special highlight was a moving interview with 90 year-old Canadian hockey legend, Herb Carnegie, who spoke about the racism he experienced as a young hockey player and urged the group to continue breaking down barriers and working for change.
