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 2025 will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON from October 6 – 9, 2025. Monday is registration and Opening Reception, Tuesday-Thursday are sessions.
In rural communities, succession planning isn’t just a business issue—it’s a community one.
When long-standing businesses close because there's no transition plan, the ripple effects hit everyone.
That’s where economic developers come in.
Join EDA as we host succession plan experts, Ready for Next, for this FREE webinar on how you can support business owners in your region as they think about the future.
We’ll cover:
Why rural succession planning is critical—and often overlooked
The role you can play in starting conversations and connecting resources
Practical tools and strategies to guide business transitions
Real-life stories from rural communities doing it right
If you’re looking to strengthen your local economy and keep businesses rooted in your community, this session is for you.
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. more info...
The RMA hosts two conventions per year, one in spring and one in fall, at the Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Each convention sees a variety of plenary addresses and workshops, as well as the ministerial forum and resolutions session. In addition to these events, the fall convention hosts the opposition party leader panel, as well as our RMA Board elections and partners program. The RMA and Canoe Tradeshow is held during the fall convention to better serve our members as they go through the budget process within their municipalities.
The RMA 2025 Fall Convention and Tradeshow is scheduled to take place November 17-20, at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
Performance measurement is crucial for economic development as it provides a systematic way to assess, manage, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of economic policies and initiatives. Quantifying progress and outcomes helps economic developers ensure that their strategies are on track and delivering the intended benefits to communities, businesses, and stakeholders.
This course aims to provide participants with a robust understanding of performance measurement in the context of economic development, preparing them to effectively evaluate and enhance the impact of economic development initiatives.
This is an optional Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) course.
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.
EDA Xperience 2026 Leaders' Summit and Conference attracts more than 400 economic development experts and elected officials from across Alberta, Canada and around the world.
