EDA News Centre

Many of you are likely spending the week wrapping things up at the office before the Christmas holidays begin and looking ahead to your January calendars. Plan today to attend EDA's next online course through the University of Calgary as it begins the 3rd week of the new year. 

Business Retention and Expansion
January 19 - February 16, 2016

Read about the course and register here.

This course is designed to increase your understanding of the importance of building, retaining and expanding a strong business community; and to promote the understanding of business retention and expansion (BR&E) as a primary economic development strategy.

Plan your 2016 professional development today by registering for our other courses in EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP). Next year's schedule for all of our online courses is posted on our website. 

2016 CEDTP Course Calendar

As you know, EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) is an excellent professional development opportunity for those in the field of economic development. Our program helps your competitive advantage by offering a variety of courses designed to deliver information on the best practices and established tools you can use to help your region thrive.

These courses are eligible for credits towards the Management Certificate-Economic Developers offered through the University of Calgary in conjunction with EDA. They can also be applied to your Ec.D designation.

#EDAOnline 

Recruiting and retaining talent is one of the greatest challenges facing economic development organizations today, and telling your community’s story requires using multiple channels. When it comes to attracting and keeping the millennial workforce, one channel that is often overlooked or under-utilized is Instagram.

Join us  for this 90-minute webinar (60-minute presentation; 30-minute Q&A) where our speaker, Timothy Haines, will show us how Instagram can aid economic development professionals in telling their community’s story to attract talent!

Instragram for Targeted Talent Recruitment
Thursday, December 17
12:00 - 1:30 pm (MT)
Register here  *Please note the prices listed are in USD

What You'll Learn:

• What are the basics of Instagram 
• How to use Instagram for target marketing & advertising
• Using advanced tools to schedule and automate your social media marketing efforts
• Next steps for your organization

Owned by Facebook, Instagram is a powerful tool that uses the Facebook ad platform.  Economic development professionals can use Instagram to attract and retain talent by targeting specific job titles, college degrees, and life events, such as "recently moved" or "likely to move soon.”  You won't want to miss this session. 

Check your mailboxes this week as EDA's 2016 edition of Invest in Alberta is being mailed today.  We had a sneak peek at the publication and we are very pleased with the final product. 

If you would like to take a look at a digital copy of Invest in Alberta, please visit our website here.

Invest in Alberta is being circulated to 15,000 key decision makers in North America and around the world. 

Alberta-based Venture Publishing produced Invest in Alberta. 

Plan today to enrol in EDA's next online course in our Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) through the University of Calgary. 

Business Retention and Expansion 
January 19 - February 16, 2016

Read about the course and register here.

This course is designed to increase your understanding of the importance of building, retaining and expanding a strong business community; and to promote the understanding of business retention and expansion (BR&E) as a primary economic development strategy.

If you are planning ahead for 2016, next years 's schedule for all of our online courses is posted on our website. All courses are available for registration.   

2016 CEDTP Course Calendar

As you know, EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) is an excellent professional development opportunity for those in the field of economic development. Our program helps your competitive advantage by offering a variety of courses designed to deliver information on the best practices and established tools you can use to help your region thrive.

These courses are eligible for credits towards the Management Certificate-Economic Developers offered through the University of Calgary in conjunction with EDA. They can also be applied to your Ec.D designation.

#EDAOnline 

This is a reminder that the first early bird deadline for EDA's 2016 Annual Conference April 6 to 8, 2016 is next Monday, November 30. Register here. Ensure you get the best rate at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge by booking your hotel room now.  

The theme for the 2016 Conference is "Resilience Renewal and Reinvention."  

The next deadline is January 15, 2016. Then the final deadline for registration with no discount is March 25, 2016.  

Being a Partner of our Conference ensures your message reaches over 300 economic development professionals and elected officials from across Alberta and North America. If you would like to be an EDA Partner in our event please download the 2016 Partnership Program. You can also fill out an online partnership form here. 

A draft conference agenda will be posted soon. 

We will also be making an exciting announcement at the 2016 event, you won't want to miss it. 

Follow us on Twitter @edaalberta #EDA2016 for all the latest information about the 2016 Conference. 

See you at the Conference. 

Plan today to enrol in EDA's CEDTP online courses through the University of Calgary. The schedule for 2016 is now posted on our website. All courses are now available for registration.  

2016 CEDTP Course Calendar

The next course is our Business Retention and Expansion course held January 19 - February 16, 2016. 

Read about the course and register here.

As you know, EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) is an excellent professional development opportunity for those in the field of economic development. Our program helps your competitive advantage by offering a variety of courses designed to deliver information on the best practices and established tools you can use to help your region thrive.

These courses are eligible for credits towards the Management Certificate-Economic Developers offered through the University of Calgary in conjunction with EDA. They can also be applied to your Ec.D designation.

#EDAOnline 

Planning is well underway for EDA's 2016 Annual Conference April 6 to 8, 2016 At the Delta Kananaskis Lodge in Kansnaskis, Alberta. 

The theme for the 2016 Conference is "Resilience Renewal and Reinvention."  

We have begun to take registrations for the Conference. Please log onto our website and register here. 

The deadline for the best early bird price is November 30, 2015.  The next deadline is January 15, 2016. Then the final deadline for registration with no discount is March 25, 2016.  

If you would like to be a presenter at the conference please review the call for Conference Papers guidelines. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2015.

Being a Partner of our Conference ensures your message reaches over 300 economic development professionals and elected officials from across Alberta and North America. If you would like to be an EDA Partner in our event please download the 2016 Partnership Program. 

We will be making an exciting announcement at the 2016 event, you won't want to miss it. 

Follow us on Twitter #EDA 2016 for all the latest information about the 2016 Conference. 

This is a reminder that tomorrow is the first of two Conference Board of Canada Webinars being held this week. EDA members are eligible to save 50% on the registration fee. 

Bottom of the Oil Price Barrel : The Alberta Business Outlook
Tuesday, November 10
1:00-2:00pm (MST)
Full Price $399
EDA Price $199

Read about the Webinar here. The special rate will not be available through the website, if you would like to take advantage, please contact Joel Elliott directly at: elliott@conferenceboard.ca and quote rebate code EXEDA1. 

The second webinar is belong held this Friday: 

Post-Election Canadian Outlook with the Chief Economist - Autumn 2015

Friday, November 13
12:00-1:00pm (MST)
Full Price $399

EDA Price $199

Read about the Webinar here. The special rate will not be available through the website, if you would like to take advantage, please contact Joel Elliott directly at: elliott@conferenceboard.ca and quote rebate code EXEDA1. 

A new job creation initiative will support workers, employers and families during the current economic downturn.

The Job Creation Incentive Program will support employers in creating as many as 27,000 new jobs a year over the next two years.

“Albertans have asked our government to support good local jobs as we grow and diversify our economy. We are following through on our promise to work with businesses so that they can create new jobs and support families during these tough economic times.”

Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

The program will encourage hiring by providing grants to employers for creating new positions. Grants will be worth up to $5,000 for each new job and employers will be eligible for up to $500,000 in total support – the equivalent of 100 new full-time jobs. Grants will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Supreme Group has been an active part of Alberta’s steel manufacturing sector for more than 40 years. We believe that local manufacturing is a vital part of a strong and diversified economy.  We look forward to working with all levels of government on initiatives that support the creation of sustainable Alberta-based jobs.”

Kevin Guile, Vice President of Supreme Group

“In challenging times like these, we need to show leadership and partner with business to grow the economy. This program is designed to support employers of all sizes in order to help diversify our economy and create new jobs that support families right across the province.”

Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade

The Job Creation Incentive Program is part of government’s larger plan focused on job creation, economic growth and diversification to build a 21^st-century economy for Alberta. It will launch in spring 2016.

Media inquiries

Leah Holoiday

780-721-4007
Press Secretary, Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Economic Developers Alberta’s (EDA) 2015 Ministry Dinner An Overwhelming Success

The Honourable Deron Bilous, Alberta’s new Economic Development and Trade Minister addresses over 100 economic development professionals gathered to share ideas

October 29, 2015 Edmonton, Alberta- Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) the province’s leading professional organization for economic developers, held its first Ministry Dinner with over 100 community economic development professionals and key government officials in attendance. The purpose of this event is to bring together these decision makers to network, to share information and to explore potential partnerships. 

“Partnering with job creators, entrepreneurs and visionaries to stimulate economic growth and diversification across Alberta is a top priority for our government,” said the Honourable Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade. “This event is a great opportunity for Albertans to come together and talk about ways we can create opportunity and lasting prosperity for our province.” 

EDA also hosted three other Alberta Cabinet Ministers at the 2015 Ministry Dinner:

• The Honourable Oneil Carlier Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
  
• The Honourable David Eggen Minister of Culture and Tourism
  
• The Honourable  Brian Mason Minister of Infrastructure

This event was unique as it followed an interactive format. Throughout the dinner, several participants changed tables at the beginning of each course of their meal. That maximized the opportunities for government representatives and community economic development professionals to share information about various programs and opportunities.

“Our dinner has been an overwhelming success as it provided key decision makers with the forum to connect; aligning with one of EDA’s strategic priorities to equip our province’s economic development professionals with the most current resources and opportunities,” said Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA CEO. “By supporting the leadership role economic developers have in their communities, we also fortify their efforts to create sustainable economies.”

The Federal and Provincial government departments also represented at the 2015 Ministry Dinner:

• Aboriginal Relations
• Agriculture and Forestry
• Advanced Education
• Culture and Tourism
• Economic Development and Trade
• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour
• Municipal Affairs
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Industry Canada
• Office of Small and Medium Enterprises
• Service Canada
• Trade Commissioner Service
• Western Economic Diversification Canada

Representatives from 60 Alberta communities and organizations were also in attendance. 

Miller Thomson LLP is the sponsor of the 2015 Ministry Dinner.

Read About Economic Developers Alberta

To arrange an interview please contact:

Nancy Toombs Marketing/Communications Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) tel: 403-874-7438 nancy.toombs@edaalberta.ca

Shannon Greer Press Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade tel: 587-594-0132

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