Learn from real-life current business case studies and overall economic indicators of how consumers are spending in 2026. You will leave this session with tools businesses can implement to increase profits and attract, train, and retain employees who can speak directly to the business's target audience.

After nearly 8 years of working directly with over 200 ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders, I’ve seen people compromise their ambition, rely on outdated business advice, and wait to be inspired before trying something different. Inspiration is great, but it doesn’t do the work. In this keynote, you will: Gain clarity on what ambition is (and isn’t) and how to think of ambition as fuel for your business. Explore the uncomfortable feelings around selling by rethinking value, responsibility, and examining how sales and the customer experience are inseparable. Compile a list of tried-and-true phrases to support conversations with their teams and customers that don’t leave you feeling like you have to take a shower! Start asking for more!

Small to medium business owners often have fragmented software licenses covering all kinds of things. Consolidate. Many growing businesses run 4–6 overlapping SaaS tools, each charging monthly, each siloed. Your inbox, your proposals, your financial data: all sitting in separate systems, never talking to each other. Most founders haven’t mapped what these cost or where the leverage is. Working Session. Four Takeaways. 60 minutes. High-level, practical, no jargon. Hands-on takeaways you can start this week. Session Takeaways 1. Manage your inbox, approach Inbox Zero. 2. Grow your business, with better Sales Experiences. 3. Decrease Overhead, invest in your business instead. 4. Finally, Financial Oversight for your business. ...Plus a Question & Answer period Action Items covered: 1. Technology Audit. Spend vs. Value. 2. Moving from Chat to Action.

Every entrepreneur eventually hits a wall where standard solutions just don't seem to work. It is easy to get trapped in routine thought patterns, limited by our own singular perspectives. To find truly innovative answers, we have to intentionally step outside of what we know. This workshop is built specifically for small business owners who want to expand their points of view and tackle stubborn problems. Instead of standard business lectures, you will be guided through two powerful thought experiments designed to spark lateral, creative thinking. Then you will put these mental tools into immediate action. You will bring a real, live business challenge to the table and workshop it directly with a fellow entrepreneur. By combining these new thought exercises with the fresh eyes of a peer, you will gain a brand new perspective on the obstacle you are facing. The Goal: To open up your thinking so you can walk away with an immediate solution, or at the very least, a powerful new framework to conquer your business challenges.

Profit isn’t luck — it’s intentional design. The Cashflow Canvas™ Series helps founders build a business model that pays them well, supports sustainable pricing, and puts profit first. What You’ll Learn Price your products or services with intention using our proprietary Weighted Pricing Process, balancing costs, competition, and value. Pricing isn’t about matching the market — it’s about valuing your expertise and impact. Intentional pricing strengthens both your brand and your profit. You’ll Walk Away With -A Weighted Pricing Calculator -Tools to adjust for perceived value -Confidence to stand behind your price

Identify and optimize your most profitable sources of income. What You’ll Learn: Identify the three offerings that generate 80%+ of your income, so you can focus on what truly drives profit. Why It Matters: When revenue is unclear or overcomplicated, founders can’t see what’s working — and growth stalls. You’ll Walk Away With: -Clarity on your strongest revenue streams -A plan to keep, cut, or scale -A simple forecasting tool

A practical overview of the key steps involved in starting a business in Alberta, including validating an idea, business planning, registration, financing, and finding the right supports. The session is designed to help participants understand what to focus on first and where they can go for free support as they move their business idea forward. Attendees will leave with a clear focus on their next steps and a strong understanding of the help available to them.

Owning a business may be closer than you think. #OwnersWanted, powered by Futurpreneur and in collaboration with BDC, is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs confidently step into business ownership through business acquisition. Whether you already have a business opportunity in mind or are just beginning to explore your options, this workshop will guide you through the key stages of buying and transitioning into an existing business. You’ll gain practical tools, expert insights, and hands-on strategies to help make the process smooth and successful. In this workshop, you will learn how to: Identify and assess strong business opportunities Connect and build relationships with business owners Structure and negotiate a successful deal Conduct due diligence with confidence Navigate mock negotiations and real-world scenarios Finalize the purchase and transition smoothly Explore financing options and funding strategies to support your acquisition journey

Identify and optimize your most profitable sources of income. What You’ll Learn: Identify the three offerings that generate 80%+ of your income, so you can focus on what truly drives profit. Why It Matters: When revenue is unclear or overcomplicated, founders can’t see what’s working — and growth stalls. You’ll Walk Away With: -Clarity on your strongest revenue streams -A plan to keep, cut, or scale -A simple forecasting tool

Dusty and Jonathan Hawkey are a two-person puppet production and creative arts company based in the Town of Athabasca, Alberta. Combining backgrounds in Business and Fine Arts, they bring together artistic creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial expertise to provide unique entertainment, educational, and custom design services. The Hawkey’s specialize in the design and production of custom puppets for a wide range of applications, including marketing campaigns, television, film, commercials, social media, events, and private clients. Their work has reached an international audience, with custom puppets sold throughout North America and Europe, as well as far as Asia. In addition to puppet production, Dusty and Jonathan create and perform original puppet shows and musicals featuring original music and scripts. Their productions are designed for community events, schools, and audiences of all ages, with a particular focus on bringing unique artistic and cultural experiences to rural communities. Their creative services also include puppetry workshops. Through these offerings, they aim to make specialized arts experiences and hands-on creative learning more accessible to individuals and communities outside major urban centers. At the heart of their business is a commitment to bringing high-quality puppetry, performance, and creative arts to rural Alberta while serving clients locally, nationally, and internationally. Their work reflects a passion for craftsmanship, community engagement, and creating memorable experiences for both children and adults.