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Regional prosperity depends on the strength of partnerships between governments, businesses, and community organizations. This panel explores how strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors can unlock innovation, attract sustainable investment, and retain local talent across diverse industries. By aligning regional priorities with business innovation and workforce development, these partnerships can bridge resource gaps, enhance competitiveness, and drive inclusive economic growth.
The discussion will highlight successful collaboration models from Canada and abroad, revealing how shared investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and skills training can transform regions into thriving, future-ready economies.
Collaborative Frameworks — Proven models for building strong public-private partnerships that accelerate innovation and regional development.
Investment Attraction — How coordinated regional strategies can enhance investment readiness and support the growth of local industries.
Talent Retention — Practical approaches for developing and retaining skilled, homegrown talent through education, innovation hubs, and community engagement.
As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue reshaping industries, the global challenge lies not in adopting these technologies—but in ensuring they serve everyone equitably. This session explores how AI can be a powerful tool for inclusive growth, empowering women, youth, and SMEs to thrive in the digital economy. Experts will examine real-world applications of AI in entrepreneurship, workforce development, and public policy, with a focus on bridging the digital divide and ensuring that automation enhances human potential rather than replaces it.
By centering inclusion at the core of AI strategy, this panel will highlight pathways for governments, investors, and innovators to create technology-driven economies that are fair, sustainable, and accessible to all.
Equitable AI Adoption — How inclusive frameworks and policies can ensure AI development benefits underrepresented communities, including women and youth.
Empowering SMEs — Practical strategies for small and medium enterprises to leverage AI and automation for competitiveness and innovation.
Building Digital Resilience — The role of training, mentorship, and ethical governance in preparing the workforce for a future shaped by intelligent technologies.
As the global economy evolves under the forces of digitalization, automation, and shifting trade dynamics, the demand for adaptable, skilled talent has never been greater. This panel explores how governments, industries, and educational institutions can collaboratively future-proof the workforce by embedding reskilling, digital literacy, and technical trades into regional development strategies. The discussion will examine innovative approaches to bridging the skills gap, empowering youth and underrepresented communities, and leveraging trades and technology as dual drivers of inclusive economic resilience. Participants will gain practical insights into how workforce transformation can sustain competitiveness, support diversification, and ensure long-term economic stability across regions.
Reskilling for the Future — Learn how continuous learning programs and vocational training can meet the evolving demands of digital and green economies.
Bridging Industry and Education — Explore models for aligning post-secondary education and trade programs with industry needs to build job-ready talent.
Inclusive Workforce Development — Understand how equity-driven workforce strategies can empower women, youth, and newcomers to participate meaningfully in future industries.
As the global economy becomes increasingly digital, the integration of technology, data, and connectivity is reshaping industries, markets, and communities. This panel explores how Canada—particularly Alberta and the Prairie provinces—can harness the power of the digital economy to drive inclusive, resilient, and future-ready growth. From artificial intelligence and fintech to e-commerce and creative media, the digital transformation presents opportunities to enhance productivity, enable cross-border trade, and create high-quality jobs.
Panelists will examine how digital ecosystems can empower women, youth, and SMEs, ensuring equitable participation in the rapidly evolving global marketplace. The discussion will also address key challenges, including digital infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity, and access to digital skills training, emphasizing strategies for scaling innovation and regional competitiveness.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Understanding how equitable access to digital tools and infrastructure can unlock economic participation and innovation across urban and rural communities.
Empowering SMEs and Entrepreneurs: Exploring how digital adoption, e-commerce, and tech innovation can expand market access and improve competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Future-Ready Workforce: Highlighting the importance of digital literacy, reskilling, and inclusive policies that prepare Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow in a rapidly transforming global economy.
Overview:
In an era of shifting trade dynamics, inflationary pressures, and evolving global priorities, “Financing the Future: Rethinking Economic Development Policy” explores how governments, financial institutions, and private investors can reshape funding models to accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth. The discussion centers on innovative fiscal tools, green and digital investment strategies, and public-private partnerships that can help regions—particularly the Prairies—adapt to post-tariff economic realities and emerging global markets.
Panelists will examine how forward-thinking policy can enable equitable access to capital for SMEs, women, and youth entrepreneurs while fostering innovation in critical sectors such as clean energy, agri-tech, and advanced manufacturing. By aligning investment frameworks with long-term diversification goals, this session aims to inspire a new vision for financing regional prosperity and resilience.
Innovative Finance Models: Learn how blended finance, public-private partnerships, and impact investing can drive inclusive and sustainable development.
Policy for Resilience: Understand the role of adaptive fiscal and regulatory policies in supporting economic diversification and reducing regional disparities.
Empowering Entrepreneurs: Explore how targeted funding programs can enhance access to capital for underrepresented groups and accelerate job creation in emerging industries.
Overview:
In an era defined by shifting trade alliances, geopolitical uncertainty, and tariff disruptions, the future of FDI demands agility and innovation. This panel will explore how countries can reinvent their investment frameworks to attract sustainable, inclusive, and high-value investments that strengthen supply chains and economic resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Explore emerging sectors—renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing—where investment potential is growing.
Learn strategies for balancing foreign capital attraction with domestic economic sovereignty.
As geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions, and emerging technologies redefine global commerce, the future of trade demands adaptability, innovation, and inclusion. This panel will explore how countries and businesses can modernize trade frameworks, leverage digital tools, and strengthen partnerships to ensure fair, sustainable, and diversified trade growth. Panelists will also examine how regional collaboration and smart trade policies can help mitigate risks, promote equity, and drive global competitiveness.
Trade Resilience & Innovation: Understand how digital transformation and policy reform can help build more resilient, tech-driven trade ecosystems.
Inclusive Globalization: Explore how equitable trade practices can empower women, youth, and SMEs to participate meaningfully in global markets.
Sustainable Supply Chains: Learn how nations and industries can future-proof trade by embracing green logistics, ethical sourcing, and circular economies.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, workplaces, and global markets, the challenge lies in ensuring that automation uplifts workers rather than replaces them. This session will explore how governments, businesses, and innovators can balance technological progress with inclusive labor policies. Experts will discuss strategies to promote fair transitions, reskill displaced workers, and create sustainable, AI-powered employment ecosystems. The discussion will emphasize the importance of equity, ethics, and adaptability in building a future economy where human potential and machine intelligence coexist harmoniously.
Inclusive Policy Frameworks: Learn how smart regulations and workforce programs can safeguard jobs while enabling innovation-driven growth.
Reskilling for the AI Era: Discover strategies for equipping workers—especially youth, women, and SMEs—with digital literacy and adaptable skills for emerging industries.
Ethical and Human-Centered Automation: Understand how ethical AI deployment can drive both productivity and social equity, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to an AI-powered economy.
In an era of economic uncertainty, shifting alliances, and evolving digital ecosystems, international trade stands at a pivotal crossroads. This panel will examine how nations, businesses, and global institutions can adapt to an increasingly complex trade environment shaped by technological advancement, climate policies, and protectionist measures. Discussions will focus on balancing globalization with national interests, strengthening trade resilience through innovation, and ensuring inclusivity in cross-border commerce. Participants will gain insights into how international collaboration can rebuild trust, enhance competitiveness, and drive shared prosperity.
Reimagining Global Trade Systems: Explore strategies for modernizing trade agreements and institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st-century digital and green economy.
Inclusive Economic Growth: Understand how inclusive trade policies can empower underrepresented regions, SMEs, and developing nations to thrive in global markets.
Innovation & Sustainability: Learn how technological transformation, green logistics, and circular trade practices can drive sustainable and equitable international trade.