ENC Set to Host North Canterbury’s First Business Summit

Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC) is proud to announce the first 2026 ENC Business Summit, a flagship event designed to bring together the region’s business community for a day of inspiration, connection and practical focus sessions.

The Summit will take place at the RSA Rangiora on the 13th of May 2026 and will feature world class speakers, powerful focus sessions and insights from leading industry experts.

This year’s keynote speakers are celebrity chef and Royalburn Station co-owner Nadia Lim, adventurer and local entrepreneur Mark Inglis, and ecommerce strategist Rick Agraval. Together they will share stories, inspiration and insights into their own business journeys.

ENC CEO Heather Warwick says the ENC Business Summit reflects ENC’s commitment to strengthening the region’s economic foundation by empowering local businesses with knowledge and connecting them with some of New Zealand’s most aspirational business leaders.

“North Canterbury is full of innovative operators and businesses that consistently punch above their weight. The ENC Business Summit is about shining a light on what makes our region strong while giving business owners tools they can apply to their own businesses. We want people to walk away feeling proud to operate in our region and confident about what is ahead.”

Nadia Lim will share her journey building one of New Zealand’s most recognised food brands and pioneering regenerative farming at Royalburn Station through an engaging Q and A. Mark Inglis will speak about resilience, determination and the mindset required to lead through challenge and uncertainty. Rick Agraval, founder of The Meat Box, will offer a practical, data informed look at digital commerce, exploring the core revenue levers behind online growth. The Summit will also feature an economic overview from Westpac’s Satish Ranchhod.

Alongside the keynote speakers, the ENC Business Summit will include a series of high value focus sessions covering wellbeing, financial capability, digital growth and emerging technology. Leadership expert Kathryn Jackson will introduce practical tools for staying steady under pressure and building healthier workplaces. Helen Pauley and Jason Stapley from Sidekick Accounting will lead a session on financial clarity and understanding the numbers that matter most. Caelan Huntress from Agentic Intelligence will deliver a session teaching attendees how to use modern AI tools more effectively across their daily work. Rick Agraval will expand on his keynote and offer attendees a 90 day digital growth blueprint.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and connect over a shared lunch and post event gathering.

Heather Warwick says the Summit marks an exciting new chapter for ENC’s business community.

“This is an inaugural event that we see becoming an iconic annual gathering for our region’s businesses. We are incredibly proud of the mighty businesses in North Canterbury and want to do everything we can to help them grow, celebrate their achievements and contribute to a more prosperous region.”

Event Overview & Highlights:

The Enterprise North Canterbury Business Summit 2026 is bringing some of New Zealand’s most influential business thinkers right to our region. Alongside our incredible keynote speakers, you’ll experience practical focus sessions with industry experts, powerful conversations, and opportunities to deepen your connection with the North Canterbury business community.

This is a day designed for knowledge sharing, upskilling, inspiration and real connection. You’ll walk away with tangible value and  fresh ideas. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, entrepreneur or someone simply passionate about business, the ENC Business Summit will equip you with insights and tools you can put into action immediately and long into the future.

• Keynote by Nadia Lim, Mark Inglis and Rick Agraval
• Four Focus sessions: The Great Recharge with Kathryn Jackson, Your 90-Day Digital Growth Blueprint with Rick Agraval, Define the Numbers That Matter  with Helen Pauley and Jason Stapley, Prompt Like A Pro with Caelan Huntress.
• Networking with industry peers from across North Canterbury.
• Earlybird tickets are $195+GST

The ENC Business Summit is sponsored by ENC with the support of Waimakariri District Council and Hurunui District Council.