OPINION: Can't Beat A Good In-Person Interview
The 2023 Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Conference in Saskatoon was a truly unforgettable experience for me. This four-day event, held at the TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan brought together municipal leaders from across Saskatchewan to discuss the latest issues and developments affecting municipalities.
As someone who covers local politics and community issues, attending this conference was an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow as a show host.
One of the most significant benefits of attending the 2023 Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Conference was the opportunity to sit down for one-on-one interviews with several municipal leaders. These interviews were invaluable in helping me gain a deeper understanding of the issues that they are facing in their communities and how they are working to address them. I was able to speak with mayors, and councillors, who are on the front lines of local governance, and gaining their insights and perspectives were enlightening.
These conversations gave me a broader perspective on the state of local governance in Saskatchewan and helped me better understand the commonalities and differences between different communities.
Beyond the interviews, one of the most valuable aspects of attending the conference was the opportunity to make connections with other attendees. While social media and other digital platforms have made it easier than ever to connect with people, there is no substitute for meeting someone in person.
One of the most memorable connections that I made at the conference was with a councillor from a small town in - I believe - southern Saskatchewan (apologies to the gentleman who I spoke with, I kept getting your name wrong and as of writing this all I can think of is your name being Jacob, which I know to be untrue). We struck up a conversation during a break and ended up chatting for nearly an hour about the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities in the province. This conversation not only gave me a greater appreciation for the unique perspectives of rural communities but also opened up new questions for me to explore in future episodes of the Cross Border Interviews.
In total, I made more connections at the conference than I would not have been able to do through social media or other digital channels. While these in-person connections may not have all led to immediate or tangible benefits, I know that they will be invaluable in the long run as I continue to cover local government and community issues in Saskatchewan.
During the conference, I was struck by how passionate and committed municipal leaders were about their communities. Whether they were speaking about infrastructure, economic development, or social issues, they spoke with a level of authenticity and empathy that is often missing in digital communication.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the help of the conference organizers, and I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank SUMA President Randy Goulden and Executive Director Jean-Marc Nadeau for their assistance throughout my time at the conference. Their support was instrumental in helping me navigate the many sessions, events, and opportunities at the conference, and I am grateful for their help.
I would also like to extend a very special thank you to Torquay Saskatchewan Mayor Mike Strachan, who went above and beyond to help me over the three days I was in attendance. Mayor Strachan introduced me to many different elected leaders, and his guidance and support were invaluable in helping me make the most of my time at the conference. Torquay, SUMA, and FCM are lucky to have strong advocates, like yourself, for small villages.
What's next? Well during May, along with our regular episodes of the Cross Border Interviews will be releasing special episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday featuring guests we sat down with at the SUMA Conference in Saskatoon. We are excited to share the insights, perspectives, and experiences of these municipal leaders with our listeners. Our conversations were engaging, informative, and insightful, and we are thrilled to share them with our listeners.
Whether you are a municipal leader, a policy maker, a community organizer, or simply someone who cares about the future of our communities, I believe you will find these episodes, along with our other regular episodes, to be informative and engaging.
We can't wait to share their stories with you!
Till next time, Just Keep Talking!
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