Join former winners of the EDCO Bright Ideas Competition—Laura Thompson, Sushmitha Thirumalaivasan, and our host, Mason Ainsworth for an inspiring deep dive into one of Ontario's premier programs for economic development innovators. As former participants who turned bold ideas into recognized successes, we break down everything you need to know about the Bright Ideas Competition, hosted by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). This annual challenge invites EDCO members to collaborate in teams, tackle real-world economic development issues of their own choosing, and propose innovative solutions—complete with mentorship, reports, pitch videos, and the chance to present at the EDCO Annual Conference and Showcase. In this episode, we cover: Personal stories from the winners: Sushmitha reflects on her recent win—what the journey felt like, the biggest lessons learned, and how the experience continues to fuel her future career in economic development.Laura shares insights from one of the program's beginnings, how it shaped her professional path, and the long-term impact on her work in the field. Why you should get involved: Hear our collective take on the unique value of participating: building skills, expanding networks, testing creative approaches, contributing to stronger Ontario communities, and advancing your professional credentials. Brainstorming the future: We toss around exciting, forward-thinking ideas that the next cohort could explore to address emerging economic development challenges. Whether you're an economic development practitioner, student, or EDCO member considering your first Bright Ideas entry, this episode offers practical advice, motivation, and real-world inspiration from people who've been there and succeeded. Additional Information: Registration: Open now until Friday, April 10, 2026 (extended deadline!). It's easy to register—you must be an EDCO member to participate. Log in to your EDCO membership account at www.edco.on.ca, navigate to the Professional Development dropdown, and click on Bright Ideas Competition. This page has all the details about the competition along with the direct registration link. Cost: $50 (plus HST). Teams: Each participant will be assigned to a team. If you have someone you'd like to work with, please include this in an email to Stephanie Crilly at edco@edco.on.ca—EDCO will do their best to accommodate requests. Competition Kick-Off: Week of May 4, 2026, with a kick-off meeting. Topic: Each team develops their own relevant topic (focused on critical, innovative issues in Ontario economic development). The first report—a short proposal document (less than 1000 words)—is due June 19, 2026, outlining: A clear definition of the problem to be addressedA proposed methodology for tackling the issueA workplan and timeline, including meeting dates with your group and mentorWhy the topic is relevant to economic development and how it can help others solve similar issues Mentors: Each team is assigned a mentor from the Bright Ideas committee to provide guidance, answer questions, and support throughout the process. Guests: Laura Thompson – LinkedInSushmitha Thirumalaivasan – LinkedIn Now some work for YOU! Tag someone you think should join the Bright Ideas Competition! Or put an interesting topic in the comments to get them expired! Also, some Big News! Hyper Local just levelled up and is now supported by Storied Places Media, which specializes in producing audio and video podcasts for economic development organizations. If you have been thinking about starting a podcast but don’t have the time or know-how, now is the time to get started, and Storied Places Media can help. Learn more about their services and clients at storiedplaces.ca. #HyperLocalPodcast #EconomicDevelopment #Innovation #BrightIdeas #EDCO #OntarioBusiness #ProfessionalDevelopment #BrightIdeas2026 #Ontario #MEDI #EcDev
