October 24, 2016

For Immediate Release

GovMaker III gets down to business

Fredericton, NB – The New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network (NBSPRN) will host the third annual GovMaker Conference at the Fredericton Convention Centre on Nov 21 and 22, 2016. The premier Open Government conference in eastern Canada, GovMaker advances open government theory and practice by mobilizing knowledge, creating cross-sector relationships, and building the capacity of citizens and governments to engage in open dialogue, open data, and open collaboration.

GovMaker III: Open Government: From Theory to Practice shines a spotlight on the three key principles of open government: participation, transparency, and collaboration. Expert presentations and panels will share knowledge and theories, while – in response to frequent requests – workshops by world-leading experts will offer tools, resources, and experiences in the nuts and bolts of open government practice.

“Whether you are a government employee, an entrepreneur, a researcher, a student, a community non-profit, an engaged citizen, or a policy-maker in any sphere, the GovMaker Conference will bring you into the very latest conversation on open government,” said Nick Scott, Executive Director of NBSPRN. “And you will leave us with the practical tools and connections you need to go to the next level.”

As always, the line-up of world-leading GovMakers is stellar and includes keynotes from:

• Nigel Jacob, Founder and Co-Chair for the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics in Boston
• Kit Lykketoft, Senior Consultant, Workz
• Alan Kantrow, The Governance Laboratory
• Joeri van den Steenhoven, Director, MaRS Solutions Lab

“The quality of these keynotes is a tribute to the hard work of all our partners, sponsors, and staff who make GovMaker a reality every year,” Scott continued. “GovMaker has reached the big leagues when people like Nigel Jacob don’t hesitate for a moment over our invitation – he wrote back immediately to say ‘I’m in!’”

Sponsors for GovMaker III include Diamond Sponsor, The Government of New Brunswick, as well as the Government of Canada, GTEC, Pond-Deshpande Centre, and Canada’s Open Data Exchange.

Tickets for GovMaker III can be obtained at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/conference-govmaker-conference-tickets-26538221535 Full bios of the keynotes and general information can be found at: http://www.govmakerconference.ca/

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Media contact:

Nick Scott

Executive Director

NBSPRN

506-453-6507