Town of Minto to host Teeny Tiny Summit in May

CLIFFORD – The Town of Minto will host a Teeny Tiny Summit on May 26 from 8:30am to 4pm at the Clifford Community Hall. 

The full day summit will bring together community leaders, municipal representatives, economic development professionals and regional partners from across rural Ontario to explore practical, people-centred approaches to community and economic development, officials state in a press release.  

Presented by the Ministry of Rural Affairs, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), the town and the Minto Chamber of Commerce, the Teeny Tiny Summit focuses on how small, intentional actions and collaborative leadership can lead to meaningful, long-term impact in rural communities, the release continues. 

This year’s theme, “The Power of Community: Building Hope in Uncertain Times,” sets the tone for a day designed to inspire, connect and equip those working to strengthen local places, officials state.

The summit will open with a keynote address by Leslie Fournier, who will challenge participants to rethink how civic pride, storytelling, collaboration and creativity contribute to resilient, hopeful communities. 

Through real world examples and practical insights, the keynote will explore how communities can build momentum and confidence using the assets they already have, officials say.

Throughout the day, participants will engage in a series of interactive panels and lightning talk sessions showcasing regional examples of community led economic development. 

Sessions will highlight:

• innovative approaches to youth engagement and leadership development in rural communities;
• downtown revitalization strategies rooted in local relationships, grassroots leadership and place based planning; and
• the power of inter-municipal and cross-sector collaboration to expand services, foster inclusion, strengthen culture and enhance community vitality.

Speakers and presenters from across Wellington, Perth, Huron, Grey and Bruce counties will share lessons learned from initiatives ranging from youth hubs and micro-grant programs to downtown renewal efforts, cultural roundtables, shared service models and regional collaboration frameworks.

The day will conclude with a facilitated “Teeny Tiny Wins” roundtable, encouraging participants to reflect on small scale successes that are driving real change, and to leave with tangible ideas they can adapt within their own communities.

“The Teeny Tiny Summit is about recognizing that economic and community development doesn’t always start with big projects or large budgets,” stated town director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham. 

“It starts with people, partnerships and shared purpose. This summit creates space for those conversations and connections to happen.”

Additional event details, including registration information and the full agenda, are available online at town.minto.on.ca/business/teeny-tiny-summit.