VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/30/13 -- CUPE BC's Ten Percent Shift campaign is bringing together a great group of economists, economic development professionals, local government leaders and staff and Local First activists and advocates for the first-ever Local Economy Summit February 13-14 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Hosted by Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer, the event will feature great local food and speeches and presentations on a wide variety of issues impacting local economies.

Event highlights:                                                           
                                                                            
Wednesday February 13                                                       
                                                                            
7:00 pm                  Welcome from Mayor Gregor Robertson                
7:20 pm                  Keynote address by economist, attorney, author, and
                         entrepreneur, and one of the world's leading       
                         experts on community economics, Michael H. Shuman. 
                         (See http://bealocalist.org/Michael-Shuman for more
                         info.)                                             
9:00 pm                  Reception featuring local food and beverages       
                                                                            
Thursday February 14                                                        
                                                                            
7:30 am                  All BC Breakfast for delegates                     
9:00 am                  Ten Percent Shift presentation by CUPE BC President
                         Barry O'Neill                                      
                         (See http://www.tenpercentshift.ca/ for more info.)
10:00 am                 Release of Civic Economics report on BC Retail     
                         Economy                                            
                         (see http://www.civiceconomics.com/ for more info.)
Noon                     Luncheon featuring local BC food, keynote address  
                         by Toronto Star columnist and author Linda McQuaig 
                         (See http://www.lindamcquaig.com/index.cfm for more
                         info.)                                             
Afternoon:               Panel discussion featuring Tewanee Joseph,         
                         Vancity's Linda Morris, SFU's Nicole Chaland, and  
                         more to come.                                      

Full agenda is available at www.localeconomysummit.com