The inaugural gathering of the Fraser Valley branch of the BC + AI Ecosystem Association is set for September 9, 2026 in Langley, bringing the region together around responsible AI.
AI is no longer a future conversation for the Fraser Valley. It is a today conversation.”— Darren Coleman, Founder of FV+AI
Darren Coleman, Founder and CEO of Coleman Technologies, has established FV+AI (Fraser Valley AI), a fresh regional community under the umbrella of the BC + AI Ecosystem Association. FV+AI will unite entrepreneurs, tech leaders, developers, and inquisitive locals throughout the Fraser Valley to delve into practical, safe, and ethical AI implementation. The initial event occurs on September 9, 2026 in Langley.
The BC + AI Ecosystem Association is a grassroots, province-spanning network launched by Executive Director Kris Krüg, anchored in the ethos of "ecosystem, not empire." Following its debut in 2025, it has expanded into a cross-sector collective of entrepreneurs, academics, artists, students, and Indigenous knowledge keepers guiding responsible AI development across British Columbia. FV+AI broadens that network into one of the province's most rapidly expanding areas, drawing from the people and energy behind the Surrey AI meetup community, with Matthew Schwartzman and Surrey AI playing a role in the story that enabled this launch.
"AI is no longer a future conversation for the Fraser Valley. It is a today conversation," stated Darren Coleman, Founder of FV+AI and CEO of Coleman Technologies. "Leaders in Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford, and beyond require a nearby space where they can figure out how to adopt AI securely, oversee it responsibly, and tie it to tangible results. Kris and the BC + AI community have created something outstanding across the province. FV+AI delivers that same ethos closer to home."
Krüg has frequently remarked that "AI is best when it brings people together," a mindset that defines the ecosystem's community-centered strategy. FV+AI is constructed on that identical groundwork. Events will be open, hands-on, and grounded in the Fraser Valley, inviting both seasoned business figures and anyone in the community curious about AI's trajectory.
Much of BC's AI discussion stays focused in downtown Vancouver, while Fraser Valley firms in construction, manufacturing, professional services, agriculture, and logistics deal with the same pressures as their urban peers: growing cybersecurity threats, concerns over AI governance, and the difficulty of converting new technology into measurable gains. FV+AI bridges that divide with a local venue for education, networking, and frank dialogue about what actually works.
Coleman contributes over 25 years of technology expertise to this effort. A nationally acknowledged cybersecurity authority and best-selling co-author of Easy Prey, he has been highlighted by Forbes and ABC and has addressed corporate audiences throughout North America, including at Harvard. His company, Coleman Technologies, delivers managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and secure AI adoption advice to organizations across Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Early FV+AI events will concentrate on subjects like AI governance, the cybersecurity consequences of AI tools, real-world local examples, and how expanding organizations can use AI to boost operational strength rather than introduce risk.
The debut FV+AI event occurs on September 9, 2026 at the Coleman Technologies office in Langley. The launch gathering is intentionally limited in size, and registration is available with approval at luma.com/langley-ai. Membership information can be accessed through the BC + AI Ecosystem at bc-ai.ca.
About Darren Coleman
Darren Coleman is a nationally recognized cybersecurity expert, best-selling co-author of Easy Prey, and Founder and CEO of Coleman Technologies, a Langley-based managed IT, cybersecurity, and secure AI strategy firm. Featured by Forbes and ABC, he has spoken to business audiences across North America, including at Harvard. Through FV+AI, he is focused on building practical, community-rooted AI capacity in the Fraser Valley. Learn more at bc-ai.ca/members/darren-coleman.
About the BC + AI Ecosystem Association
The BC + AI Ecosystem Association is a grassroots British Columbia community building practical, responsible AI capacity across the province. Founded by Executive Director Kris Krüg, the association connects members through meetups, working groups, certifications, and events. Learn more at bc-ai.ca.
Darren Coleman
Coleman Technologies
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