Registration

11:00 AM

Join us at the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre for event registration and informal networking. 

Welcome and Introductions

11:30 AM

Emcee Trevor Moore
Welcome speeches from Mayor & Reeve
Committee Introduction

Lunch

11:45 PM

Served by the Heritage Inn, enjoy the Bistro, a selection of meats, cheese, sandwich toppings & condiments with a variety of breads and rolls.  Served with soup.

Running uphill: Alberta's economy heading into 2023

12:15 PM

Robert Roach, Deputy Chief Economist, ATB

Between high inflation, rising interest rates and the invasion of Ukraine, economies around the world are struggling to keep from slipping into recession. Alberta’s economy faces the same challenges but is on track to be one of the top performers in the country this year due to the offsetting boost it is receiving from strong commodity prices. Rob will unpack the current economic situation in Alberta, where we are headed over the next year or two and highlight some of the challenges we face over the longer term.

Labour Market Skills in the Region

1:00PM

Timothy Spielman, 
Dean, Business and Continuing Studies, Medicine Hat College

The labour market has been evolving quickly over the past 4 years.  We have been inundated with many new concepts such as working from home due to the pandemic, the great retirement, and now quiet quitting.  In addition, there is a challenge in recruiting for some technical positions.  The Labor Market Project has gathered data on technical skills in our region and several sub-regions including Brooks. The project has looked at employer skill needs as well as skills possessed by employed, under-employed, and unemployed individuals.  The goal is to identify technical skill gaps so residents of the region can enhance their employability by pursuing those skills most in demand by employers.  Tim will share exciting findings from the project that will shed some light on jobs and recruiting in the region.

Break

1:45PM

Break

TBA

2:00PM

Stay tuned for details.

Innovation and New Business Opportunities Panel

2:45 PM

Panel Host – Tracy Stroud, Manager, Apex Regional Innovation Network of SE Alberta

Hear from three experts on the growth in their industries, the innovation that is driving it, and the opportunities for businesses because of it. 

Hydrogen Opportunities – Randy Litun, President, Sky Point Resources

This presentation will discuss hydrogen & energy transition opportunities for Brooks & SE Alberta.

Smart Manufacturing – David Rist, Program Integration Director, Access Prosperity & Peter Krzesinski, Executive Director, Access Prosperity. 

Drone Opportunities – Roger Haessel, Advisor – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Advisor - RPAS Strategy, Apex Alberta, & Jeremy Patton, RPAS Project Officer, Medicine Hat College

This presentation will discuss the rapidly growing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) industry and its impact on Alberta industry. RPAS (often referred to as “drones”) have many important civil and commercial applications and have come a long way since their military roots. Southeast Alberta is a hotbed of RPAS activity and is home to several important companies and the Foremost UAS Test Range. Learn about the current state of RPAS in Alberta and what the future may look like.
 

Break

4:00 PM

Break

Resilience and Recovery

4:15 PM

Kimberly Lyall

Networking

5:00 PM

Enjoy the opportunity to make new connections. 

Chamber Business of the Year Awards

5:30 PM

This is a separate event, to attend you much register on the chamber website HERE