EDA News Centre

Just about every community has an entrepreneur in the early stages of building a business.

If you're an entrepreneur or if your job is to help these individuals find programs and resources, then you'll want to join us to learn about a FREE program designed to connect experts, resources and like-minded people in the tech space.

The Alberta Catalyzer Program is open to ALL founders launching and growing a tech-driven business. 

Register for our FREE webinar and learn how this program can help entrepreneurs in all stages of their journey.

Alberta Catalyzer Program

Wednesday, November 23

12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE

Online via Zoom

Register

Keep an eye on your inbox.

Next week you will be receiving an EDA Member renewal email.

Membership in EDA means your are aligned with an organization recognized nationally and internationally for its programs, services and resources.

Plus there are practical perks such as:

• Member discounts on registration to our events and programs
  
• Access to our Awards of Excellence Program
  
• Access to placement in the Invest in Alberta/Xperience Alberta Magazine
  
• Access to mentorship
  
• Access to the EDA member directory to network and share information
  
• Free career and RFP postings 
  
• and much more...
  

Don't forget in order to access your member benefits you must be logged into our website: www.edaalberta.ca using your user email and password, this ensures features like member discounts on events are visible. 

You are also responsible for logging into your profile and maintaining your contact information.  

This way we can ensure you are receiving the most recent information about our professional development opportunities and the most accurate information appears in the Member Directory in our Invest Alberta/Xperience Alberta Magazine. 

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium  has released the results of the Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) research study.

In the report, you will find information related to workforce demographics, wages and salaries, hiring and recruitment, skills development, and more

Click here to see the results.

Cando Members & Friends.

Here is a copy of the election package for the upcoming Board Member Election in Alberta.

Click here for a Cando Membership application form - if any Economic Development Officers are interested in becoming a Cando Full Member and therefore wish to participate in upcoming Board Member election in Alberta.  You can also apply for your membership online at https://connect.edo.ca. Please note, you have to be a "Full" Cando Member on or before October 14, 2022 to nominate an individual or stand for election.

Thank you for taking time and interest in becoming part of a National Indigenous community-based organization that builds capacity in Indigenous communities throughout Canada.

Should you have any questions please contact Ray Wanuch, Cando Executive Director at 1-800-463-9300 or ray.wanuch@edo.ca.  

The electric vehicle (EV) market has accelerated substantially and EV infrastructure continues to grow.

With that growth are opportunities for communities as well as challenges.

Hosted by EDA Director Peter Casurella on Wednesday, September 28, this FREE webinar in our Webinar Wednesday Series will explore opportunities and challenges with EV adoption. 

We also turn to the experts to provide solutions and best practice information to help the decision makers in your communities. 

Join us. 

Electric Vehicles: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions

Wednesday, September 28

12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE

Online via Zoom

Register here

Tanya Fir will become the Minister for Jobs, Economy and Innovation while continuing to serve as the Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction.

“Alberta is breaking records in attracting new, job-creating investment that has helped get more than 200,000 Albertans working since the start of 2021. As we continue to implement Alberta’s Recovery Plan, we know that we will add on to the more than $150 billion of new investment that has come into Alberta since we formed government.

“As someone who served in this portfolio previously, and who has done tremendous work in the related Red Tape Reduction portfolio, Minister Fir is ready to get into the full swing on Day 1. Minister Fir will build on our successes as we look to the future to ensure that Alberta remains the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.”

- Jason Kenney, Premier

Media inquiries:

Justin Brattinga 

Students are sharpening their pencils and heading back to school.

Why not join them?

The schedule for our Community Economic Development Training Program is up and that means right now you can register for classes this fall and into 2023.

Plan ahead! By clicking the links below you can read more and register for:

• Economic Development Establishing the Foundation

• Business and Investment Attraction

• Business Retention and Expansion  
  

These courses are convenient as they are available online through the University of Calgary. 

Make a commitment to yourself to increase your knowledge and advance your skill set; it will ultimately benefit your community. 

Don't forget credits earned can be applied to your professional designation.

Also, there are certificates you can earn. Read more here. 

At EDA Xperience 2023 Leaders' Summit and Conference, we are offering post secondary students the chance to register at a special rate.

EDA recognizes the importance of engaging the leaders of tomorrow and providing them with the opportunity to meet and interact with seasoned economic development professionals and business and community leaders from across Alberta, Canada and around the world. 

If you are a post secondary student or know of one who aspires having a direct hand in some day shaping and improving their communities then attending EDA Xperience 2023 is an excellent opportunity. 

Delegates will be provided with information about Alberta’s current and emerging sector opportunities, updates on economic development issues and trends, best practices, inspiring keynote addresses, interactive in-person and virtual networking opportunities.

Registration is open for in person and online student delegates. Space is limited for in person student registration. (student id will be required) 

Register here 

Sponsor a Student 

Consider sponsoring a student to attend EDA Xperience 2023.

If your business or organization would like to cover the registration fee for a student or a group of students, you will receive special recognition.

Please email nancy.toombs@edaalberta.ca to register your students. 

If you are an elected official or work with these community leaders join us Wednesday, September 7 from noon to 1PM. 

In the next FREE webinar in our Webinar Wednesday Series, we will take you on a deep dive into an important resource we offer: our Economic Development for Elected Officials Course.

Elected officials have a unique position in economic development as their influence can effect change and promote a strategic vision of economic growth for their community.

But...how...?

This webinar will show you how EDA answers that fundamental question.  

Plus we will give you a sneak peek into concrete and practical tools you can use in your community right now. 

Join us. 

Economic Development for Elected Officials 

Wednesday, September 7

12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE - Online

Register 

It's the height of the summer tourist season and if you're in the economic development space, you may be thinking: "how can we shine a spotlight on our local businesses and encourage visitors and residents to explore the exciting and unique features of our communities?"

EDA has the answer! 

Our Xperience Alberta APP enables you to create your own, branded App for your community.

You can customize it to profile the attributes in your region you want to highlight. 

Maybe you want to profile a walking tour of historical sites; or farm tours; perhaps profile an ale trail that encourages visitors to explore local breweries. And those are just a few suggestions!! 

One unique feature of the Xperience Alberta App is the ability to incentivize users to redeem points when they make purchases. This helps drive traffic and sales for local businesses. 

Read more by clicking this link and sign up for your license today.

The Xperience Alberta App is available as a result of a licensing agreement between EDA and 468 Communications, the platform provider for this technology.  

To support shop local initiatives and tourism, this platform from 468 Communications allows municipalities to maintain their own branded mobile apps, and reward users for visiting places in the community.  

This opportunity is available to all Albertans; you don't need to be an EDA member to acquire this APP.