Business Investment & Attraction (BIA) ls a Core Course with the EDA Institute
During this in-person session you will;
Understand the role of economic development and the importance of implementing a BI&A strategy.
Assess community investment readiness, leverage competitive advantages, and build capacity.
Develop a comprehensive BI&A strategy, conduct market research, and select appropriate marketing tools.
Cultivate relationships with investors and entrepreneurs, identify investment projects, and establish protocols.
Hosted by: Jennifer Hartigh, Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration
Trainer: Trevor Lewington
Tea, Coffee and Lunch will be served
Location:Reynolds Museum 6426-40th Ave., Wetaskiwin more info...
ACED 220 will provide the student with knowledge of contemporary First Nations Law and Economic Development. The student will learn about constitutional law, case law, and public policy. This course will discuss the concepts of self-government and of community development. Analysis will include studying the Indian Act and studying contemporary economic initiatives. In addition, this course will discuss the communities' control over services, creation of corporations, and economic development. Systemic issues such as historical background, history of treaties, and Canada-First Nation relations will be studied. This course will provide a historical understanding of contemporary events as well as current legal and political developments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Understand the Constitutional Framework.
2. Understand Aboriginal, Hunting, Fishing, and Treaty Rights.
3. Gain an informed knowledge on Land and Land Claims.
4. Learn about self-government and self-determination.
5. Understand the Indian Act, Band Membership, and First Nations Citizenship.
6. Discuss the challenges involved with community control of services.
7. Analyze community corporations, commercial relations, and taxation.
8. Learn about First Nations Law and Community Economic Development.
This course is offered as a pre-session at EDA Xperience 2026.
Kick off your conference experience at our exclusive pre-conference mixer! Connect with new and familiar faces over drinks and delicious snacks.
Our annual Kickstart in Kananaskis will be held at Woody's Pub & Patio at the conference site. To attend, you must register in advance, and conference registration is required before registering for this event.
Enjoy tasty snacks and a complimentary beverage (wine, beer, highball, or soft drinks) as you mingle.
Dress: casual
Cancellation policy: Refunds will be issued less $25 cancel fee prior to April 3. No refunds after that. more info...
EDA Xperience 2026 Conference attracts more than 400 economic development experts and elected officials from across Alberta, Canada and around the world.
Cancellation policy: Refunds will be issued less $50 cancel fee prior to April 3. No refunds after that.
Move from ideas to action, without needing more time, money, or staff.
Rural communities are rich in ideas, relationships, and opportunity, but turning those strengths into tangible economic outcomes can be challenging. Competing priorities, limited capacity, and uncertainty often stall even the best plans.
This hands-on workshop is designed to help communities cut through complexity and focus on what truly matters.
Using Economic Developers Alberta’s Strategic Doing framework, participants will learn how to move from conversation to commitment, identifying realistic priorities, assigning clear roles, and launching achievable actions that build momentum and confidence.
Rather than producing another plan that sits on a shelf, this session focuses on small, practical steps that lead to real progress.
Why attend?
Participants will:
Build a shared understanding of how economic development works in a rural context
Learn how to align people, resources, and ideas around clear priorities
Apply a proven, step-by-step process to answer four critical questions:
What could we do?
What should we do?
What will we do?
What’s our 30/30?
Leave with defined next steps, assigned responsibilities, and a 30-day action check-in
Strengthen local and regional collaboration while staying focused on achievable outcomes
Who should attend?
Elected officials
Municipal staff
Economic development professionals
Community and business leaders
Regional partners and volunteers involved in local development efforts
What makes this workshop different?
This session blends economic development fundamentals with a highly practical action framework. It acknowledges real-world constraints while empowering participants to make progress using the assets, relationships, and capacity they already have.
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. This workshop shows you how to start, together.
Hosted by: Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) and Community Futures Yellowhead Trainer: Trevor Lewington
This session is free, and morning coffee and lunch will be provided.
Our strategic partner, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), has designated the week of May 4-8, 2026 , as Economic Development Week.
We invite you to take part in this North America-wide campaign that consists of activities designed to create awareness of the economic development programs in your communities that enhance your quality of life.
Check www.iedconline.org for updated resources to help you get started on your campaign to increase exposure for the profession and the benefits of economic development.
NWER's 2026 Annual Summit will be held July 19 - 23, 2026 in Edmonton, Alberta at the JW Marriott Edmonton Ice District
Legislators, business leaders, academics, and policymakers from the U.S. and Canada will gather in Edmonton, Alberta for PNWER's 35th Annual Summit from July 19 - 23 to discuss regional economic best practices and trade concerns. It will be an opportunity to engage with our region's key decision makers on both sides of the border. â
PNWER is recognized as the model for regional and bi-national cooperation, providing a platform for collaboration among public, private, academic, and non-profit stakeholders to work together as a region in pursuit of common goals. â
The PNWER Annual Summit is the leading forum where people in the policy world and the business world come together to figure out solutions to regional challenges.
Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Conferences bring together community leaders, economic development professionals and entrepreneurs from across the country. These professionals attend EDAC Conferences to participate in sessions, network and listen to speakers sharing their innovative ideas and solutions to national and local challenges.
EDAC 2026 will be held in Moncton, New Brunswick at the Delta Hotel Beausejour.
Keeping busy professionals in mind, EDA has re-imagined the format of the EDA Invitational Golf Tournament.
This year’s event features a streamlined 9-hole Texas Scramble experience.
Join us on September 24 at the Broadmoor Golf Course in Sherwood Park, AB.
No golf experience is required! Dinner is included with your registration.
We are pleased to welcome Invest Alberta as our Title Sponsor.
Their business development team will be on hand to network with tournament participants.
The EDA Invitational also offers an excellent opportunity to showcase your organization with sponsorship opportunities. more info...
The purpose of the Annual EDA Ministry Dinner is to bring together EDA members and stakeholders with specific Ministers and senior staff from the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, to network, share information about programs and explore potential partnerships.
The dynamic format of the dinner involves rotating table visitations to maximize networking during the meal.
