The first ever Web Summit Vancouver is set to kick off Tuesday night at the Convention Centre as British Columbia continues to attract talent and capital in its rapidly-growing tech sector.Some 15,000 people are expected to attend the event, which runs until May 30."Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities with a flourishing tech community that connects the Americas, Asia and the West Coast," Web Summit founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave said. "We can't wait to gather the tech world and take over the city."Mayor Ken Sim echoed her sentiments, pointing out that Vancouver is a "young, energetic city full of opportunity.""Nowhere is that more obvious than in our thriving tech scene, where we’re advancing leading-edge technology like virtual reality and augmented reality," he added. "Vancouver is attracting highly-skilled people from around the world drawn here by our lifestyle, incredible natural surroundings, and the chance to be part of something exciting.".Web Summit Vancouver is expected to be an economic boon for the city, with an estimated $172 million in direct spending and $279 million in overall economic impact over the next three years.The event features a solid lineup of speakers, featuring a who's who of today's tech and venture capital scene. Among those slated to address the crowds are Cloudflare co-founder Michelle Zatlyn, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber, Thiel Capital Managing Director Jack Selby, and Hootsuite CEO Irina Novoselsky.Also in the lineup is American philosopher and professor Dr. Cornel West, who will speak alongside Axios cybersecurity reporter Sam Sabin on "truth, technology, and democracy.".On the eve of the conference, the federal government announced a $1.8 million investment in Pacific Economic Development Canada, which will augment a $9.9 million investment announced in 2023 to boost the tech sector — namely artificial intelligence — in BC."Using AI to drive and accelerate productivity through robust investments in innovative companies is critical in this moment of crisis," Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said. "With this investment, PacifiCan is unlocking the growth and security we need for the future of Canada, powering AI for scale, efficiency, and sovereignty. Bold and smart investments like this are required as we build a more resilient and competitive nation to meet this moment of urgency."
