EDA News Centre

As we prepare to spend more time with our families and friends over the next few weeks, and close the chapter on 2023; I trust you will be able to embrace the hope this season brings.

For some of us, 2023 brought significant personal and professional challenges. For others, it brought much joy and success. For me personally, thankfully this year was much better than 2022. However, I am also aware this experience may not be the case for all of us. If that’s you, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself, and know: “this too shall pass.” 

When we look at what’s happening around the world, we can get discouraged. So much division, hatred, and violence. Sometimes it feels hopeless. In times like this, I find it’s helpful to focus on things I can control. Where I can move the needle. Where I can make a difference. To me, part of that process involves simply being grateful for what I have. 

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

— Melody Beattie

It’s amazing how much your mind shifts when you inventory the things you are grateful for. For example, I am grateful for my continued physical health; a supportive, loving family; a safe, warm, comfortable home; and a positive, fun circle of friends. I am also grateful to have meaningful work; dedicated co-workers; supportive board members; engaged members; and an increasing number of collaborative partners.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Economic Developers Alberta as an organization. It will be a year of embracing the past, elevating the present, and envisioning the future. We have several in-person and online events planned, and a few exciting announcements forthcoming.

Personally, I believe the best is yet to come for EDA!

To our members, partners and friends, I sincerely thank you for your continued support and active engagement this year and look forward to achieving even greater things together in the future.

On behalf of EDA, I wish you and your families continued good health and prosperity. 

Hope to see you in person in 2024!

Sincerely, Leann Hackman-Carty, CEO

To ensure you receive your complimentary copy of the Invest in Alberta/Xperience magazine, we kindly request you to take a moment to log into your profile on the EDA website and update your contact information. 

If you notice any missing details below, kindly complete them in your member profile.

Since we generate address labels from a spreadsheet of our member list, having all fields filled in is immensely helpful.

Your cooperation ensures the accuracy of our records and guarantees that you receive your copy of our 2024 edition.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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Our EDA Member Directory, which is published in the magazine, and designed to provide potential investors with your contact information should they have inquiries, contains the following information. Please double check it is complete. Thank you.

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Don't miss out on an opportunity to unlock the full potential of our AlbertaBusinessCounts Program. 

Join us on Wednesday, October 25th at noon for a free webinar that shows how this program could transform the way you work. 

As part of our Member Partner Discount Program, you already have exclusive access to this province-wide data gathering solution, designed to identify and analyze business needs at every level – local, regional, and provincial.

Hosted by our partner, ExecutivePulse, this event is your chance to discover the latest and most exciting enhancements to this CRM system for 2024!

Whether you're an experienced user or new to the game, this webinar is a must-attend:

• For current users: Explore the enhanced functionalities that can supercharge your efforts.
• For newcomers: Discover why AlbertaBusinessCounts is the ideal CRM solution for your economic development work.

AlbertaBusisnessCounts is more than just a CRM system; it's a tool crafted by economic developers, for economic developers. It understands the unique needs, opportunities, and challenges of our work, offering customizable options to align with your mission-critical community goals and organizational objectives. 

Read about our AlbertaBusinessCounts Program,  you must be signed in to our website with your EDA member email and password.

Do you want to gain the skills to expand your community's economic base? Do you want insight on how to develop business investment strategies that work? 

Then join us...

Our Business and Investment Attraction course, online through the University of Calgary, is an opportunity to gain insight into the key factors that make a community ‘investment ready.’

Held October 3  - November 6, there is still time to register

Furthermore, you can earn valuable points towards your Ec.D. by completing this course. 

Plus, EDA Members, you can apply for a scholarship through our Professional Development Fund.

You must be signed in with your EDA user email and password. 

Related resources

FREE Luncheon Webinar: Hosting Site Selectors-Best Practices

Wednesday, October 11, Noon - 1 PM 

Our guest is Invest Alberta.

FDI Readiness Toolkit

This resource is exclusive to EDA Members. 

You must sign in with your EDA user email and password to access it.

Invest in Alberta/Xperience Alberta Magazine

By securing Ad space, you can reach a targeted international audience of 15,000 decision makers in key industries

Congratulations to the winner of our Yolo Nomads Contest !

Earlier this afternoon we "spun the wheel" to randomly select a name to win a Yolo Nomads Marketing Package valued at $5388.00! 

Congratulations to EDA Member Andrew O'Rourke with the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI). 

Yolo Nomads were the Experts at our "Ask an Expert: Attracting Remote Workers Why and How" webinar held last week. Please click this link to watch a video of the prize draw. 

Thank you to Luke Panek and Patrick Brunelle from Yolo Nomads for giving our members this opportunity.  Register for the next FREE webinar in our Ask an Expert series:

Immigration as a Workforce Strategy

Wednesday, November 8

12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE

EDA Members, we have an exclusive offer for you!

You have a chance to win a complementary marketing package with Yolo Nomads, worth a whopping $5388.00 ! 

This package is designed to help your rural community attract people living in the big city. 

This contest is for EDA Members only and you must be registered to attend the upcoming "Ask the Expert Webinar: Attracting Remote Workers - Why and How."

This informative and FREE session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13th, noon sharp. 

Our experts, Yolo Nomads, have excellent insights on the concept of Digital Nomads and how remote workers build rural and remote communities. 

Register for the webinar and enter your name to win this prize.

 Your EDA user email and password unlocks the contest entry form in the member section of the EDA website, be sure you are signed in. 

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is proud to announce we have earned the prestigious Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award (EMESA) in the category of Resilient Communities. 

A collaboration by provincial, territorial, and federal governments, the EMESA is given on behalf of federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers and is presented to individuals or groups that have distinguished themselves through exemplary actions and contributions in the field of Emergency Management in Canada.

This honour recognizes EDA's unwavering commitment to building resilient communities through innovative initiatives and community-focused efforts.

EDA President Shane Olson is in Ottawa this afternoon and received the award on our behalf. 

"Receiving the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award is a testament to the dedication of the EDA team and the collaborative spirit of our community,” said Shane Olson, EDA President. 

“We firmly believe that resilient communities are critical to a prosperous future. 

This award validates our commitment to equipping communities with the tools they need to overcome adversity and emerge stronger."

EDA's contributions to disaster resilience and community preparedness have made a lasting impact.

In 2013, we had a pivotal role in assisting flood-impacted communities in Southern Alberta and supporting the economic recovery of the Fort McMurray region after wildfires in 2016. Moreover, our rapid response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic showcased our commitment to addressing emerging crises.

EDA's commitment extends to training and resources that equip professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary for disaster resilience and recovery. The Economic Disaster Resilience and Recovery Training Program and Community Toolkit for Economic Recovery and Resiliency (Canadian Version) have been instrumental in preparing communities for economic disruptions caused by various disasters. 

As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to our vision of empowering communities, enhancing economic development, and championing disaster resilience.

Read more about the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award (EMESA) here.  

About EDA

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources, professional development, and networking opportunities to economic development practitioners for nearly 50 years. EDA is at the forefront of fostering resilient communities with a commitment to equipping individuals and communities with the skills and resources needed to thrive. Joining EDA is an opportunity for economic development professionals looking to excel in their careers and make a meaningful impact on their communities. Members of EDA gain access to a wealth of resources, cutting-edge professional development opportunities, and a vibrant network of like-minded individuals dedicated to creating thriving communities. www.edaalberta.ca

Now more than ever is the greatest opportunity for rural and remote communities to attract workers. 

Want to know why? And the steps you need to take?

Join us for our upcoming webinar in our "Ask and Expert" webinar series:

Attracting Remote Workers: Why and How

Wednesday, September 13

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Free

The experts are from Yolo Nomads. They'll discuss how now more than ever is the greatest opportunity for small towns to promote their local tourism, attract new residents, and grow the local economy.

You'll hear how those small communities who are actively working to attract remote workers stand to gain the most.

5 Factors of Psychologically Safe & Healthy Workplace (Self Directed - Virtual) This self-paced e-learning module will provide foundational knowledge on fostering a psychologically safe and healthy workplace culture, guidelines for navigating employee mental health, and proactive strategies for integrating concepts that promote mental health into your organization’s occupational health and safety policies and practices. Pricing Per Participant: $100 per participant for EMC members, $120 per participant for future members. Take Control of Your Time in 3 Steps - e-Learning (Self Directed - Virtual) This self-paced e-learning module will showcase improvements made by leaders in other industries, including tools and methods displayed with sample content included from actual workplace improvements. Note that participants who have completed this e-learning module can advance their skills further by registering in the Workshop, or Workshop series, as these formats expand on what is learned within the e-learning module. Pricing Per Participant: $100 per participant for EMC members, $120 per participant for future members. AODA Customer Service Standards - e-Learning (Self Directed - Virtual) The AODA module is designed for all Ontario workers who serve the public, in the course of their work duties, with goods or services. These workers are required to have taken this training prior to, or as soon as possible when hired or moved into a position requiring the training. When completed, they will understand the different types of disabilities, how to serve people with disabilities, the role of assistive devices, support persons and service animals. Pricing Per Participant: $50 per participant for EMC members, $75 per participant for future members. Violence, Harassment & Bullying (Generic) - e-learning (Self Directed - Virtual) The Violence & Harassment & Bullying in the Workplace module is designed for virtually all workers, whether they are in industrial, service or institutional workplaces. The course defines Workplace Violence and differentiates it from Workplace Harassment & Bullying. It teaches the Participant how to recognize each and what to do in the event of an occurrence. Upon conclusion, Participants will be able to identify potential dangerous situations, warning signs and how to defuse Workplace Violence within the context of the law and their Company procedures. Pricing Per Participant: $50 per participant for EMC members, $75 per participant for future members. Loading Dock Safety - NEW - e-learning (Self Directed - Virtual) The Loading Dock Safety training module is designed for all personnel who perform work on loading docks or have their work take them onto the loading dock area. Participants will learn about the common hazards of a loading dock and what they need to do to prevent being injured. Pricing Per Participant: $50 per participant for EMC members, $75 per participant for future members.  MEC - Leadership - September 27, 2023 Enhance leadership in manufacturing and increase performance of your workforce with EMC's MEC Leadership Certificate Program. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to lead engaged, high-performing teams and become leaders of organizational culture. Pricing per participant. MEMBERS: $3,000 Mental Health in the Workplace: The Essentials – ½ day workshop – September 27, 2023 This workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the relevance and importance of understanding mental health in the workplace.  Participants gain confidence in navigating situations involving mental health at work sensitively and effectively and learn the vital role they can play in making the workplace a psychologically safer and healthier place to be.  For more information, or to register, click here.   TO REGISTER, contact EMC's Learning Centre: learningcentre@emccanada.org or call 1-866-323-4362

EMC Programs & Resources of Interest EMC Member Spotlight - Mauser Packaging Solutions Mauser Packaging Solutions is another long time Western Canadian EMC member. Mauser Packaging Solutions is a packaging industry leader with over $4B in US sales, over 11,000 employees and over 180 facilities in 20 countries and 5 continents.    If you are interested in developing your EMC Member Spotlight Page or joining the EMC family of companies, please contact me.   Manufacturing Masters - On Demand Video Learning Library In partnership with Manufacturing Masters, this on demand video library is available on mobile devices and computers so your team can access it from anywhere and anytime. Your team can learn from the best in the world without ever leaving your factory.​ Manufacturing Masters is included in your EMC membership - at no additional cost! LOGIN TO MANUFACTURING MASTERS   Future Members If you would like to take a look at the platform, please visit www.emcmasters.ca to register for a 2-week trial!   State of Canada’s Manufacturing Sector Report EMC is pleased to share the results of our recent Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) research study - State of Canada's Manufacturing Sector: A Map of the Manufacturing Workforce 2022-23. In the report, you will find information related to workforce demographics, wages and salaries, hiring and recruitment, skills development, and more.  To access a copy of the full report, please click here.

If you are involved in economic development in Alberta and would like to have meaningful one-on-one conversations with senior provincial and federal government officials, then you need to attend the: 

2023 Annual EDA Ministry Dinner

Wednesday October 18, 2023

Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel by APA

10155 105 Street NW, Edmonton, AB

Reception begins at 5:00 PM followed by dinner at 6:00 PM

The dynamic format of the dinner involves rotating table visitations to maximize networking during the meal. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and explore potential partnerships with specific federal and provincial government Ministers and senior leadership staff.

More than 75 percent of the tickets have been sold, so be sure to register now to avoid disappointment. 

Register here