We are excited to announce the 13th Annual Growing the North Conference! Amid the ongoing uncertainty of the current pandemic, and following the success of last year’s event, the organizers have again chosen to go virtual for 2022.

The event will feature a total of six keynote presentations as well as break out sessions providing the opportunity to tailor the conference experience to their specific interests. The conference will be hosted over three half days from February 22nd to 24th.

The program features a wide range of topics with a variety of presenters. Topics covered this year are leadership, resiliency, the future, truth and reconciliation, transportation, innovation, health care, forestry, oil and gas, alternative energy, agriculture, tourism, hemp opportunities and the economy.

“The organizing partners continue to strive to secure presenters from a variety of sectors while keeping the content engaging, relevant and thought-provoking every year. The virtual format worked well in 2021 and allowed attendees to have some of the networking opportunities this conference is known for, while maintaining the focus of providing an economic snapshot of our region,” commented Tanya Oliver, CEO, Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Growing the North Organizing Committee.

The lineup of speakers includes Kendal Netmaker, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and gifted keynote speaker from Sweetgrass First Nation; Todd Hirsch, Vice-President and Chief Economist for ATB Financial; Jesse Hirsh, futurist, speaker, and consultant who engages in a wide range of research regarding agriculture, media, technology, and culture; David Goldstein, CEO of Travel Alberta; Joe Jackman, CEO of Jackman Reinvents, the world’s first and foremost reinvention company; Christine Fehr, Resilience and Mental Health; and many more.

The cost is $199 + GST. There is also a limited quantity of Taste of the Peace boxes available to attendees for an add-on price of $150 + GST. These packages include locally-sourced products highlighting businesses from our region.

Tickets are on sale now at growingthenorth.com. In addition to registration, the website also includes a full agenda, speaker and sponsor listings. For more information, contact the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce by phone at 780-532-5340 or email info@gpchamber.com.

Growing the North is the largest economic development conference in the Peace Region and one of the largest in Alberta. Since its inception in 2010, the Growing the North Conference has helped municipal leaders and entrepreneurs explore economic development opportunities and examine innovation in the Peace Region of Northwest Alberta and Northeast B.C. The organizing partners include the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Municipal District of Greenview, Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region, Farm Credit Canada, Grande Prairie Regional College, Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network, Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association and Grande Prairie Friendship Centre.

Information provided by Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce