Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Some big names in British Columbia journalism set to visit Prince Rupert.


We’re going to see more than a few familiar faces on the North coast in May, a few of which will have the locals taking double takes as they look around town.

Three of British Columbia’s most well known journalists will be in Prince Rupert in May, as part of the celebrations surrounding the three-day annual general meeting of the BC Chamber of Commerce, the 57th edition of the annual gathering is set to take place in the city from May 21 to 23.

Former Rupertite and current CBC News anchor Gloria Macarenko will return home as part of an impressive list of guest speakers for the three day event.

Joining her in the city will be Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer, he writes one of the most widely read political columns in the province for the Sun and is a frequent contributor to the Bill Good Show on CKNW. His knowledge of BC politics is vast and his opinions are among the most respected on the political scene in Victoria.

Politics will no doubt be a common theme for the meetings, with Keith Baldrey rounding out the journalistic component of the guest speakers roster, Baldrey is the Legislative Bureau Chief for Global BC, and also contributes to the Bill Good Show; he has been watching the machinations, scandals and governmental happenings in Victoria since 1986.

We imagine that the local media types will be clamouring for some of their time, eager to pick up a few tips on their trade and learn more of that mysterious land of Victoria.
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But the appearance of the three high profile journalists in Prince Rupert has also caught the attention of Charlie Smith a writer with the Georgia Strait, who has had past run ins with two of the three, he outlines his thoughts on their appearance at a pro business function in a current on line story posted on the Straights website.

As for the big show in Rupert, also set to speak at the three day session will be the Honourable Perrin Beatty, the President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Maryscott "Scotty" Greenwood, the Managing Director of the Washington DC based, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP and Calvin Helin the CEO of the Native Investment & Trade Association.

Events at the Prince Rupert gathering are to be spread out over three venues in town, the Crest Hotel, the Highliner Plaza Hotel and Chances convention centre.

The three day event being an Annual General Meeting, the various sessions will be limited to members of the Chamber of Commerce only, so one would imagine that the local population will have to make do with just a few celebrity sightings around town.

Make sure to have the digital camera charged up and ready to go, you never know who you may run into downtown over those three days.

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