The CSI initiative is now closed and no longer accepting applications.

In June 2005, the Agricultural Adaptation Council launched the CanAdvance Speaker Investment (CSI) initiative, as a $100,000 cost-share initiative to assist the industry in bringing top-calibre speakers to their events. In just four years, the CSI initiative grew to a $750,000 program, and assisted in funding 487 speakers to 262 events.

Funded through Pillar 3 of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC’s) Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program, CSI was highly successful in sharing information to advance the sector. Through the success of the CSI initiative, nearly 42,000 people attended events, workshops and meetings to learn from industry experts.

Applications to the CSI initiative were received on an on-going basis and in normal circumstances were approved by the AAC’s Marketing and Communications Committee within ten days of receipt. This streamlined approval process proved to be a major benefit to the industry - allowing them to effectively plan their events.

For more information on the CSI initiative, please contact the AAC office at (519) 822-7554.