Laurier, City of Brantford to host third annual Summit for Creative Community Solutions Nov. 4 and 5

Oct. 15, 2026
For Immediate Release

BRANTFORD — Wilfrid Laurier University’s Hub for Community Solutions and the City of Brantford invite local residents, students, volunteers and representatives from community organizations to the third annual Summit for Creative Community Solutions on Nov. 4 and 5.

The free public event will bring together community members to share ideas, build connections and explore creative approaches to address community challenges.

The theme of this year’s summit, Making Change Together: From Small Projects to Big Possibilities Through Community-University Partnership, highlights the power of community-university collaboration to spark positive change.

“The summit is built on the idea that when community partners and universities work together, everyone benefits,” said Christina Han, director of the Laurier Hub for Community Solutions. “We are pleased to expand on our previous summits with a two-day event that showcases innovative partnerships, celebrates community impact and creates space for new ideas, new relationships and new solutions to emerge.”

The 2026 summit also marks the fifth anniversary of Laurier’s Hub for Community Solutions, providing an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of community-university partnerships while fostering new collaborations for the future.

“The City of Brantford is pleased to partner with Wilfrid Laurier University to celebrate the innovative spirit that drives our community forward,” said Pamela Pacheco, manager of strategic initiatives at the City of Brantford. “The Summit for Creative Community Solutions reflects Brantford’s commitment to innovation, inclusion and sustainability, while supporting the goals of the 2026-2027 Town and Gown Action Plan. By bringing together community organizations, residents and researchers, we can connect local needs with creative solutions that truly make an impact.”

The two-day program will feature keynote addresses from Jonathan Newman, Laurier’s vice-president: research, and Amanda Demmer, executive director of Community-Based Research Canada. A series of workshops, panel discussions and artistic performances will round out the agenda.

The Summit for Creative Community Solutions takes place Nov. 4 and 5 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre (19 Holiday Dr., Brantford). There is no registration fee to attend and guest registration is now open. For registration details and more information, visit the Summit for Creative Community Solutions webpage.

The Summit for Creative Community Solutions is presented in partnership by Wilfrid Laurier University and the City of Brantford, and made possible through the support of Enterprise Brant and Laurier’s Office of Research Services.