About this Event
Join Us at the Growing Your Workforce Conference 2026!
The Growing Your Workforce Conference is an annual cornerstone event in Southwestern Ontario that brings together employers, workforce development professionals, service providers, educators, community leaders, and policy makers to tackle pressing labour market challenges, exchange innovative ideas, and share practical solutions that strengthen regional workforce systems.
Organized by the collaborative network of Ontario’s Workforce Planning boards, this conference builds on years of impactful gatherings where attendees connect, learn from subject-matter experts, and explore trends shaping how we attract, retain, and develop talent across industries and communities.
In 2026, the conference will be hosted by the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie in Brantford, Ontario. This year’s event will place a special focus on the role of hands-on and experiential learning—including Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), mentorship, co-operative education placements, on-the-job training, and other practical approaches to skills and talent development—in strengthening workforce systems. Attendees can expect a rich lineup of presentations, keynote sessions, interactive panels, and networking opportunities that reflect the structure and purpose of previous years’ events, all designed to support workforce strategy and regional economic growth.
The Conference will take place on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, at Six Nations Polytechnic Brantford Campus, 411 Elgin Street, Brantford, ON, in the Athletic Lounge (Athletic Building).
Event venue & nearby stays
Six Nations Polytechnic Brantford Campus, 411 Elgin Street, Brantford, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.