Description

Join us for 2025 Economic Outlook on February 20th, 8am at the Double Tree by Hilton to hear from Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Marwa Abdou - Senior Research Director, Andrew DiCapua - Senior Economist - Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

The Chamber's Economic Outlook (featuring light breakfast and networking), provides the Kingston business community with valuable insights into current and future economic trends. This highly anticipated event includes a keynote presentation by a nationally respected economist, offering expert analysis on national and global economic conditions. Following the presentation, a panel of economic experts will discuss key data and trends specific to Kingston, delivering actionable insights for local businesses.

Stephen Tapp - Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Stephen is a key member of the Chamber’s executive leadership team, responsible for the operations of the Business Data Lab as well as economic analysis and research.

Stephen is also the President of the Canadian Association for Business Economics and a member of the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council.

He has over 20 years of experience at many of Canada’s top economic organizations including at: Export Development Canada as the Deputy Chief Economist, the Bank of Canada, Parliamentary Budget Office, Finance Canada, think tanks as well as academia.

Stephen’s research was awarded the Purvis prize for Canadian economic policy. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from Queen’s University.

Marwa Abdou - Senior Research Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

With a career that spans more than 15 years, Marwa has worked with and within some of the world’s most renowned multilateral organizations, private sector organizations, and country governments. As she now leads the BDL’s Research Center of Excellence, she continues to purse the championship, advocacy and catalysis of impactful interventions for vulnerable groups and marginalized communities, especially SMEs, through rigorous data analysis, inventive research and storytelling. 

This is exemplified by her most recent publications “A Portrait of Small Business in Canada: Adaption, Agility, All At Once” and “Barely Breaking Ground: The Slow Stride of Progress for Women in. Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship”. 

Marwa received her master’s degree in international relations and international economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She received her bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Queen’s University Smith School of Business.

Andrew DiCapua - Senior Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Andrew has spent his career as an economic storyteller, distilling signal from the noise. At the Chamber, he’s focused on helping businesses navigate changing economic conditions. Andrew is responsible for developing the Chamber’s economics and forecasting capabilities. He contributes to the Chamber’s economic outlook and regularly conducts economic analysis on developments impacting Canadian business. Andrew has led many engagements to support the business community in shaping policy discussions to drive economic growth.

Before joining the Chamber, Andrew worked at Export Development Canada (EDC), where he forecasted the Canadian economy and Bank of Canada’s monetary policy. He also oversaw the planning of EDC’s economic publications. Andrew’s career began in Ottawa as a trade consultant, where he advised international companies on trade regulations and represented clients in trade disputes before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

Andrew holds a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Economics from Queen’s University, where he was an active member of the campus community.

Many thanks to Partner Sponsor, Peak Benetifts for their support on this program.

Additional Notes: Be sure to log-in to your member profile to receive member-discounted pricing. Cancellations must be received two weeks prior to the scheduled event for a full refund. Lastly, please reach out to events@kingstonchamber.ca for table/group pricing or if you have any allergy/dietary restrictions.

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You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please get in touch with us on info@kingstonchamber.ca seven (7) business days prior to the event and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that if you're scheduled to be a speaker, moderator, host, or the chief guest for any event, adjustments may be challenging to accommodate.