About this Event
In a rapidly evolving business environment, staying ahead requires more than keeping up. It requires understanding the trends shaping our economy, exploring new opportunities, and connecting with the people and ideas that drive growth.
Join business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals at Future Forward: Strathcona County Business Conference 2026, a full-day event designed to provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and meaningful connections.
Hear from Mark Parsons, Chief Economist at ATB Financial, as he shares the Economic Update for Alberta's economy and the forces influencing business growth. Gain additional perspectives from a panel of carefully curated industry experts representing Alberta's tourism and agriculture sectors. These speakers will discuss relevant trends and insights tailored to Strathcona County businesses to help businesses make adjustments and improvements during a volatile economic period.
Economic Deep Dive: Fireside Chat
- Mark Parson - ATB Financial
- Kevin Wiedlich - Travel Alberta
- Barclay Smith - Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Following an insightful panel, we will be joined by Linda Hoang, a local blogger and social media strategist based in Edmonton, Alberta.
Linda develops social media content and works with businesses and organizations to help improve their online presence and advertising. Businesses are used to hearing about the need for digital advertising and the importance of paid social media vs organic content, but what does that actually mean? This session, Understanding Paid Social Media and Tactics, will help you with just that. Learning more about what paid social media is and how specifically it can help your business. Instead of throwing content into the ether that is the internet, how can you reach the precise audience you're looking for? And how can you do it without spending the shirt off your back to do it? And what the heck is Search Engine Optimization and the new Generative Engine Optimization? Don't worry. If any of that made you start to sweat or feel a little worried, you aren't alone. This session is meant for you.
You know them and love them, but what is Strathcona County's Economic Development and Tourism team up to lately? Join Sean McRitchie, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, as he walks everyone through the Strathcona County Update and shares what the team has been up to and what projects are coming up. Spoiler alert: this session is going to be all about specific, relevant news for Strathcona County businesses and how it will improve the local community. Add it to your must-watch agenda!
Next up in the day is Keynote Speaker: Graham Sherman, entrepreneur and founder of Tool Shed Brewing Company. Graham is going to share with everyone how a simple at-home hobby disrupted an entire provincial industry. It may have taken more than a year of relentless perseverance, but Graham managed to change provincial legislation to become a successful craft brewer, all while learning the importance of adaptability, resilience, and collaboration. This session is all about how the skill of harnessing disruption can transform a life and business into a success story.
To finish off the day, we will be joined by David Kincade of Alberta Business Grants, who will lead the final session on winning small business grants. Everyone knows how difficult it can be to write a grant application and to include all the relevant information to ensure your business and future plans are well represented. In a competitive world, how can you stand out from the pack, and what should you be including, and alternatively, what shouldn't you be? David will take conference attendees through a proven business process that will help reduce time while increasing efficiency. This session is definitely one that you don't want to miss.
Just because the conference is over doesn't mean the energy in the room needs to die. Keep the conversations and momentum going while enjoying locally sourced appetizers at the Agora and Gallery @501. Make sure to capture your newly found fire in an updated headshot, provided by Infinite Eye Photography. Chat with other conference attendees about your favourite part of the day and your biggest takeaway. Who knows, you might find new ways of collaborating with old friends, or maybe you'll find your passion reflected in a new contact that will help take your business forward into the future.
More business support
A number of business support organizations will be in attendance to support you. Make sure to stop by their booths to have a conversation and discover a new way your business can be supported.
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Opening remarks
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Economic Update
Host: Mark Parson
Info: Hear from Mark Parsons, Chief Economist at ATB Financial, as he shares the Economic Update for Alberta's economy and the forces influencing business growth. Gain additional perspectives from a panel of carefully curated industry experts representing Alberta's tourism and agriculture sectors.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Economic Deep Dive: Fireside Chat
Host: Mark Parson, ATB Financial
Info: These speakers will discuss relevant trends and insights tailored to Strathcona County businesses to help businesses make adjustments and improvements during a volatile economic period.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Understanding Paid Social Media and Tactics
Host: Linda Hoang
Info: Linda develops social media content and works with businesses and organizations to help improve their online presence and advertising. Businesses are used to hearing about the need for digital advertising and the importance of paid social media vs organic content, but what does that actually mean? This session, Understanding Paid Social Media and Tactics, will help you with just that. Learning more about what paid social media is and how specifically it can help your business. Instead of throwing content into the ether that is the internet, how can you reach the precise audience you're looking for? And how can you do it without spending the shirt off your back to do it? And what the heck is Search Engine Optimization and the new Generative Engine Optimization? If any of that made you start to sweat or feel a little worried, you aren't alone. This session is meant for you.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Networking Lunch
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Strathcona County Update
Host: Sean McRitchie
Info: You know them and love them, but what is Strathcona County's Economic Development and Tourism team up to lately? Join Sean McRitchie, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, as he walks everyone through the Strathcona County Update and shares what the team has been up to and what projects are coming up. Spoiler alert: this session is going to be all about specific, relevant news for Strathcona County businesses and how it will improve the local community. Add it to your must-watch agenda!
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Graham Sherman
Host: Graham Sherman
Info: You know them and love them, but what is Strathcona County's Economic Development and Tourism team up to lately? Join Sean McRitchie, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, as he walks everyone through the Strathcona County Update and shares what the team has been up to and what projects are coming up. Spoiler alert: this session is going to be all about specific, relevant news for Strathcona County businesses and how it will improve the local community. Add it to your must-watch agenda!
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Break
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Stay tuned for the last speaker announcement
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Winning small business grants with David Kincade
Host: David Kincade, Alberta Business Grants
Info: To finish off the day, we will be joined by David Kincade of Alberta Business Grants, who will lead the last session, winning small business grants. Everyone knows how difficult it can be to write a grant application and to include all the relevant information to ensure your business and future plans are well represented. In a competitive world, how can you stand out from the pack, and what should you be including, and alternatively, what shouldn't you be? David will take conference attendees through a proven business process that will help reduce time while increasing efficiency. This session is definitely one that you don't want to miss.
🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:30 PM
The Momentum Mixer
Info: Just because the conference is over doesn't mean the energy in the room needs to die. Keep the conversations and momentum going while enjoying locally sourced appetizers at the Agora and Gallery @501. Make sure to capture your newly found fire in an updated headshot, provided by Infinite Eye Photography. Chat with other conference attendees about your favourite part of the day and your biggest takeaway. Who knows, you might find new ways of collaborating with old friends, or maybe you'll find your passion reflected in a new contact that will help take your business forward into the future.
Event venue & nearby stays
Strathcona County Community Centre, #200 - 501 Festival Avenue, Sherwood Park, Canada
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