SingularityU Canada Summit
SingularityU Canada is a not-for-profit organization committed to inspiring and enabling more Canadians to think BIG, take risks, and drive global impact. They are a grassroots movement of passionate individuals and forward-thinking Canadian organizations who come together to catalyze a pan-Canadian community of thinkers and doers. SingularityU Canada was born of uncommon partnerships across communities, governments, and sectors, each of whom wish to have strategic conversations about their collective future and ensure that Canada plays a global role in shaping the way we all live and work.
The 2019 Event
In spring 2019, thousands of Canadians came together in Edmonton and via streamed events across the nation to share in the second SingularityU Canada Summit. It was one of 15 international SU Summits that happened around the world and put Edmonton on the global stage.
This summit provided the opportunity to convene uncommon partners and leaders in all sectors and present them with content, inspiration, and space to discover some of the biggest ideas around the world’s digital future. The event was a catalyst for our city, and our innovation sector – allowing leaders to connect and more deeply understand how technology can benefit nearly all aspects of our lives.
With Edmonton being a global leader in open data, open government, and digital innovation, SingularityU placed a spotlight on our city as a progressive and collaborative place that continues to challenge the status quo, and rallied the community together to see the exciting work that is being done by our entrepreneurs and visionaries.
SU After Dark
Adding to the SingularityU Summit experience, SU After Dark – the official after party – was hosted at a top secret “One Night Only” venue promising an experience like nothing Edmonton has seen before.
Located on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River with stunning views of the Walterdale Bridge and Indigenous history surrounding it, Edmonton’s historic Rossdale Power Plant (which has been closed for over 30 years) was the secret venue for SU After Dark.
Through collaboration between the City of Edmonton, EPCOR, E=MC2 Events and Edmonton Economic Development, the decommissioned 120-year-old power plant was completely transformed in just under 70 days – making it a monumental and historic moment for our city.
Guests rode in an autonomous vehicle around the site and were greeted by buskers along the pathways to the venue. Upon entering the building, they were wowed by a light show, performances from local dancers and musicians, and delicious food from local caterers. The evening concluded with a silent disco, where hundreds of attendees wore headphones and danced the night away.
It was a big leap of faith for us, but now in hindsight was the best decision we could have made.
A Lasting Event Legacy
The 2019 SingularityU Canada Summit built on Edmonton’s growing tech sectors and profiled the areas of health, environment, energy, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology. This event left a lasting impression on the city’s local tech innovators and created collaborations that span across the country.
