Inaugural meetup of the new Fraser Valley chapter within the BC + AI Ecosystem Association is set for September 9, 2026 in Langley, rallying the area around ethical AI use
“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 that operates under the BC + AI Ecosystem Association. This initiative will unite entrepreneurs, tech experts, developers, and inquisitive locals throughout the Fraser Valley to delve into applied, safe, and ethical AI practices. The inaugural event is scheduled for September 9, 2026 in Langley.
The BC + AI Ecosystem Association is a grassroots, province-spanning collective spearheaded by Executive Director Kris Krüg, rooted in the ethos of “ecosystem, not empire.” Since its debut in 2025, it has evolved into an interdisciplinary network encompassing entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, students, and Indigenous knowledge keepers, all shaping responsible AI across British Columbia. FV+AI expands that network into one of the province’s most rapidly expanding areas, drawing on the energy and community behind the Surrey AI meetup group, with Matthew Schwartzman and Surrey AI playing a role in making this launch achievable.
“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 elsewhere require a local space where they can learn to deploy AI securely, oversee it responsibly, and link it to tangible results. Kris and the BC + AI community have crafted something impressive across the province. FV+AI delivers that same energy closer to home.”
Krüg has frequently noted that “AI is best when it brings people together,” a guiding principle that defines the ecosystem’s community-centered approach. FV+AI is constructed on this identical foundation. Events will be open, hands-on, and grounded in the Fraser Valley, welcoming both seasoned business figures and any local resident curious about AI’s trajectory.
Much of British Columbia’s AI dialogue remains centered in downtown Vancouver, yet Fraser Valley organizations in construction, manufacturing, professional services, agriculture, and logistics encounter similar pressures as their city equivalents: growing cybersecurity threats, uncertainties around AI governance, and the difficulty of converting new technology into measurable gains. FV+AI bridges this divide by offering a regional forum for education, networking, and frank discussions 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 business audiences throughout North America, including at Harvard. His company, Coleman Technologies, delivers managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and secure AI adoption guidance to organizations across Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Initial FV+AI sessions will concentrate on subjects like AI governance, cybersecurity implications of AI tools, real-world local examples, and how expanding organizations can leverage AI to boost operational resilience rather than introduce risk.
The debut FV+AI event takes place September 9, 2026 at the Coleman Technologies office in Langley. This launch gathering is intentionally intimate, and attendance is available via approval at luma.com/langley-ai. Membership details can be found 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
+1 604-513-9428
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
