About this Event
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON NOW!
Your early bird ticket purchase includes the networking event on October 6th, the all day conference on October 7th, and the Job Seeker and Job Fair day on October 8th. Receive nearly 30% in discounts if you purchase between Until June 15th 2026.
DEAM IDEA Conference 2026
In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN) presents the 5th annual DEAM IDEA Conference — a multi-day learning and workforce development experience focused on strengthening inclusive employment practices across Alberta.
📍 Hosted this year in Edmonton at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
As workforce pressures continue to grow across sectors, organizations are looking for sustainable ways to attract, retain, and support talent. Inclusive hiring is increasingly recognized as a key driver of workforce stability and organizational strength — not only expanding access to skilled talent, but improving retention, team performance, and long-term business resilience.
This year’s programming also comes at a pivotal time, with significant changes to disability supports underway. Understanding these shifts, and how they intersect with employment practices, will be essential for organizations planning for the future of their workforce.
The DEAM IDEA Conference brings together practical tools, sector insights, and real-world experiences that support stronger recruitment strategies, healthier workplaces, and more sustainable employment outcomes for people experiencing disability and mental health-related barriers.
What This Year Focuses On
Across three days, programming explores the intersection of workforce needs and inclusive employment practices, including:
- Mentorship approaches that strengthen retention and employee success
- Mental health and navigating workplace change
- Talent pipeline development and sustainable recruitment strategies
- Tapping into opportunity populations to address labour shortages
- Prime Contractor requirements and ADAP updates and implications
- Practical approaches to inclusive hiring that strengthen organizational performance
Each session is designed to translate learning into real, actionable workforce strategies that can be applied across sectors and roles.
Event Schedule
October 6 | Networking Event (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
An evening of connection with employers, HR professionals, community partners, and workforce leaders. A space to share experiences, explore approaches, and build relationships that support inclusive employment practices.
October 7 | Full Conference Day (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
A full day of learning featuring sector insights, lived experience perspectives, and practical strategies that support stronger recruitment, retention, and workplace development outcomes.
October 8 | Capacity Building + Job Fair
Morning: Job seeker capacity-building focused on workplace readiness and confidence
Afternoon: Job fair connecting employers directly with diverse, skilled talent
This final day creates a bridge between learning and action, supporting direct connection between talent and opportunity.
Who This Is For
- Employers and business owners
- HR leaders and hiring managers
- Operations and team supervisors
- EDI, People & Culture, and workforce development professionals
- Organizations focused on strengthening recruitment and retention strategies
Why It Matters
Inclusive employment practices are increasingly recognized as a core workforce strategy — supporting stronger teams, improved retention, and access to a broader and highly capable talent pool. As labour shortages continue across industries, organizations that expand how they think about talent are gaining a clear advantage.
With upcoming changes to disability supports and shifting workforce conditions, understanding inclusive employment practices is becoming even more important for sustainable workforce planning.
Registration Deadline for regular ticket sales: September 23rd 2025
If you are a self advocate or person with a disability who would like to request support with purchasing a ticket to the DEAM IDEA Conference, please email Mariebelle at [email protected].
Looking for accommodation?
Hotel(s) offering a special group rate:
- Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel for 199.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Hotel(s) offering a special group rate:
- Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District for 195.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Thursday, September 18, 2025
If you would like to discuss rates with the hotel, please contact them directly or reach out to [email protected] for support.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology), 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, Canada
CAD 60.00 to CAD 210.00
