Housing & Growth Mini Conference

Join Lakeshore Horizons for the free Housing & Growth Mini Conference on April 8, 2026 at The Urban Field House! Snacks and refreshments provided.

The event will engage developers, business owners, and municipal partners across the region, while also highlighting Lakeshore’s approach to growth, housing diversity, and community-focused development. 

Featuring: keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations from experts.

8:30 AM to 2:00 PM: Morning session for developers and building professionals

The morning session will explore the potential of new approaches to middle density housing, opportunities to expedite building timelines and increase affordability, as well as ideas for placemaking and economic development to enhance Lakeshore’s communities. Morning session includes:

• Panel Discussion - Small Towns, Big Visions: Gentle Density, Infill and Places That Matter feat: Denise Van Amersfoort - Manager of Planning, Huron County, Will & Kat Marenco of Marenco Architects, and Kendra Fry of Lakeshore Horizons

• Panel Discussion - Building Differently: Prefab Construction feat: Lee Scott of Element 5, Diana Tamblyn, Stubbes Prefab, Lakeshore's Chief Building Official, Leith Moore of Assembly Corp), Graham Askwith, and Crystal Waddell.

• More speakers to be announced!

Lunch sponsored by Invest WindsorEssex

2:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Afternoon session for local business owners

The afternoon session focuses on enhancing the impact of businesses in our region. Afternoon session includes:

• Speaker Holly Mortimer, Business Advisor at the Stratford Perth Centre for business (investStratford), will speak about creating a landscape that attracts social media influencers and enhances tourist opportunities, as well as the usage of AI in marketing for small businesses.
• Nicole Anderson will finish the day by providing input on the upcoming Rural Economic Development Community Improvement Plan and how you can apply.