5/22/2026
Economic Development 101 for Local Leaders
Designed for elected officials and community leaders, this course provides a practical, high-level overview of economic development. Gain the knowledge and tools needed to align your mandate, priorities, and projects with your community’s economic realities.
Explore key concepts, proven strategies, and real-world best practices to support informed decision-making and long-term community success.
This is a core course within our EDA Institute and can be used toward both the Community Economic Development Certificate (CED) and EDA’s Professional Economic Developer Designation (PEcD)
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the role of elected officials in driving economic development
- Apply strategic planning tools and data to support decision-making
- Identify key economic development strategies and target opportunities
- Strengthen collaboration, partnerships, and funding approaches
- Measure success using relevant KPIs
- Support community economic resilience and long-term sustainability
Time: 9 am to 3 pm
Trainer: Mark Morrissey
Course Fee: Please note that the Host Communities are subsidizing the cost to bring this training to you for only $125.00
Host Communities: The County of Northern Lights and Northern Sunrise County
Morning coffee & tea along with lunch will be served.
Location: Peace Valley Inn, Emerald Room
9609 - 101 St
Peace River, AB T8S 1R5
Registration ends on 5/15/2026
There are currently 2 spots remaining out of 31
5/27/2026
Rural economic developers in Alberta face a familiar set of challenges: attracting investment, retaining talent, and building resilient local economies, often with limited capacity and resources. So what can we learn from those tackling the same issues?
Join us for a practical conversation with Margot Cathcart, CEO of the Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corporation (RMED), as we explore the strategies working in rural Manitoba and the lessons Alberta professionals can bring back to their own communities. We'll dig into regional collaboration, workforce attraction, and the realities of doing more with less. Expect candid insights, practical takeaways, and plenty of room for your questions.
Location: Zoom
Zoom, AB
6/11/2026
Business Investment & Attraction (BIA) ls a Core Course with the EDA Institute
Get the tools to design a pro-business environment to attract investment and enterprises to your community.
Learn what it takes for existing businesses to expand their operations and explore strategies that amplify business attraction.
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.
Administration, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Associations and Elected Officials are welcome to attend.
Hosted by: James Tessier - Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration
Trainer: Trevor Lewington
Date: June 11, 2026
Time: 9 am to 3 pm
Please note that coffee and lunch will be served.
Location: Rocky Regional Recreation Centre - Subway Room
5332 50th Street, Will Sinclair Drive
Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1G7
Registration ends on 6/1/2026
There are currently 22 spots remaining out of 33
9/24/2026
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.
Location: Broadmoor Golf Course
2100 Oak Street
Sherwood Park, AB
10/22/2026
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.
Location: Matrix Hotel
10640 100 Avenue NW
Edmonton , AB
4/14/2027 - 4/16/2027
EDA Xperience 2027 Leaders' Summit and Conference attracts more than 400 economic development experts and elected officials from across Alberta, Canada and around the world.
EDA Members must be signed in with their EDA user email and password to access the exclusive EDA member discount.
When registering please ensure the email used matches the delegate who is attending - this is critical to avoid confusion.
This annual event attracts over 400 local, national, and international experts in economic development, along with elected officials from across Alberta to discuss provincial developments, explore ways to advance the economy, and offer mutual support.
Delegates will gain insights into Alberta's sector opportunities, updates on economic trends, best practices, inspiring keynotes, and interactive networking opportunities.
Early bird member registration available until June 15.
Location: Pomeroy Mountain Lodge
1 Centennial Drive
Kananaskis, AB
Registration ends on 3/26/2027
There are currently 401 spots remaining out of 430