Mainspring Agency Partners with the Ottawa Board of Trade on a 12-Month Content and Visual Storytelling Partnership
Ottawa, Ontario, June 2026 - Mainspring Agency is proud to announce a new 12-month partnership with the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT), working closely with the organization on content capture and visual storytelling that supports business growth across the capital region.
Over the next year, Mainspring will help OBOT tell the stories behind Ottawa's economy: the people, the businesses, and the conversations shaping where the city is headed. From member stories to coverage of OBOT's signature policy forums, the partnership pairs Mainspring's video-first approach with one of Ottawa's most important business organizations.
For Mainspring, this one is close to home.
"Despite operating far and wide, we built Mainspring here in Ottawa, I've grown such an incredible network in this city, mostly through attending OBOT events and meeting wonderful business owners throughout the region. Partnering with OBOT and creating value for such an important local organization feels right. We've always believed in turning up for our community, and this is us doing exactly that."
- Ben Hemmings, Executive Director of Mainspring Agency
First up: Energy Forum 2026
The partnership kicks off with one of OBOT's marquee events of the year. The Energy Forum 2026 takes place on June 23 at the Brookstreet Hotel, bringing together leaders from industry, government, and the community to tackle a question that underpins almost everything Ottawa wants to be.
Reliable, affordable energy is the foundation for growth across technology, defence, housing, and advanced manufacturing. The forum features a keynote from Francis Bradley, President and CEO of Electricity Canada, alongside expert panels on energy capacity, infrastructure investment, and long-term growth. The focus is squarely on what Ottawa needs to do now to support business expansion and prepare for the next decade.
It is a fitting place to begin. Much of Mainspring's work, and much of Ben's, has centred on environmental and climate change storytelling. That includes restoration work alongside One Tree Planted and an ongoing partnership with another vital Ottawa organization, EnviroCentre. Helping tell the story of where Ottawa's energy future is headed sits naturally within that body of work.
The Ottawa Board of Trade team, photographed by Ben Hemmings, Mainspring Agency, at the Downtown Forum in February 2026.
A partnership both sides are excited about
The enthusiasm runs both ways. Responding to the announcement, Kara Higdon, Director, Business & Community Partnerships at the Ottawa Board of Trade, said:
"So thrilled to be collaborating with you and your excellent team!"
Under the leadership of President and CEO Sueling Ching, OBOT advocates for modern, reliable infrastructure and a stronger business environment across the region. The Board runs more than two dozen events a year, from the Mayor's Breakfast Series to its signature Policy Forums, convening Ottawa's business and political leadership throughout the year. Mainspring will be there to capture and tell some of those stories over the next 12 months.
What's next
The partnership builds on an established relationship between Mainspring Agency and OBOT that has seen Mainspring capturing key events in 2026, such as the Downtown Forum, and Ben Hemmings being invited to spead at OBOT's "Common Ground" event.
Ben Hemmings, David French, Julie Potvin, panelists at "Common Ground", alongside Sharon Diamond, Manager of Membership and Events at the Ottawa Board of Trade.
The Energy Forum is the first of many collaborations planned across the year ahead. Expect member stories, event coverage, and content that puts a human face on the work of building business in Ottawa.
If energy, growth, or where the city is headed matters to you, the Energy Forum is worth a look. Registration closes Monday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. View the full program and register here.
Ottawa's Mayor Sutcliffe, photographed by Ben Hemmings, Mainspring Agency, at the Downtown Forum in 2026, hosted by Ottawa's Board of Trade.
About Mainspring Agency
Mainspring Agency is a video-first creative agency based in Ottawa, Ontario, working with clients across corporate, documentary, branded content, and marketing video. Operating nationally and internationally, Mainspring partners with organizations to turn complex ideas and missions into clear, human stories.
