BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Power UP NORTH 2024 is about helping entrepreneurs Elevate, Transform and Innovate.
We are proud to offer a wide selections of breakout sessions facilitated by knowledgeable speakers centered around this years' learning streams. Power Up North 2024 is all about Elevating Brands to fuel growth through practical marketing. Transforming Cultures through leadership shift to unlock your organization's true potential and become a magnet for top talent. And Innovating Hires, staffing solutions to help build Build a dream team that propels your business to new heights.
Session Information will be added as it becomes available, please check back often to stay up to date.
Working Culture
Revolutionize your corporate culture with Leadership Shift. Equip yourself with dynamic strategies and tools designed to ignite innovation, attract top-tier talent, and create a flourishing work environment. Discover how to empower your workforce, foster creativity, and construct a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone thrives. Unleash the true potential of your organization and become a beacon for the best talent.
Marketing /
social media
Unlock the true potential of your brand through smart, practical marketing strategies. Stop guessing and start leveraging proven techniques to create content that attracts and resonates with your target audience. Master the art of social media and digital channels to build a loyal following and elevate your brand. Join us at Power Up North to boost your brand's growth.
Hiring
Empower your company's future with Innovating Hires. Harness the power of advanced technology and industry insights to craft a shining employer brand. Learn how to attract, evaluate, and smoothly integrate the right talent that will drive your company's success. Let's work together to assemble your dream team and skyrocket your business to new heights.
Brews & Chews
Preconference Networking Event
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
We cordially invite you to be a part of Brews & Chews, a highly anticipated preconference networking event scheduled to take place on October 8, 2024. This evening is all about indulging in the finer things in life while facilitating meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
As its name suggests, Brews & Chews offers an opportunity to savor an exquisite selection of refreshing beverages and mouth-watering delicacies. The tastefully curated menu is designed to delight your palate.
More than just a preconference get-together, Brews & Chews is a platform to mingle with Alberta's vibrant community of business owners and startup pioneers. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or at the first stages of launching your own venture, this is a golden opportunity to connect, collaborate, and potentially catalyze your next big business move.
Brew & Chews isn't just about building networks, but also inspiration. The evening is filled with the promise of engaging conversations and enlightening insights that come from rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers of Alberta's business scene.
Embrace the opportunity to be inspired by fellow entrepreneurs and remember, your next great business idea could be just a conversation away!
Breakout sessions - Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Topic: Be the Leader You Want to Be: Part 1- Foundation
Instructor: : Jennifer Barroll
This keynote covers practical tools on how to stop being a leader by title only, and how to start engaging your teams in meaningful ways that motivate and inspire them to bring their best in all they do. Jenny covers employee engagement, empowering communication, strengths-based leadership, and how to understand and evolve your leadership style.
Topic: Hire Smart, Stay Strong: A Blueprint for Mastering Talent Retention
Instructor: Lori (Loretta) Friesen, MBA, CPHR
Science and discernment for hiring the right people and enabling their talent for organizational success.
Topic: Brands that Roar: Unleashing the Power of Unforgettable Identities
Instructor: Diana Noble
This session is all about brands – what they are, how they’re created, what makes a great brand and how you can
have one.
Many business owners don’t give enough thought to their business’ brand and some don’t even know
everything that a “brand” entails. Is it just your logo? Your colours? What is brand consistency?
The fact of the matter is, a business with a strong brand becomes unforgettable, which positively impacts their bottom line – more recognition, more sales.
Join serial entrepreneur Diana Noble for this informative session that will explore the
fundamental elements that make a brand memorable, authentic and impactful, going beyond logos and taglines to
uncover the essence of a brand that resonates with audiences and translates to sales.
Topic: Leadership is an Attitude
Instructor: Brad Kotowich
Effective leadership is paramount to organizational success. Where the magic happens is when Leaders (not by title, but by attitude) at all levels of an organization can have positive impacts for themselves, for the people around them, and for the organization. You can help!
Topic: The Hats You Wear & Your Blind Spots as an Entrepreneur
Instructor: Brian Thorne
Together we will look at the many hats of accountability you wear as an Entrepreneur. How do you know you need to take a hat off? What are the potential blind spots you have, how are they holding you back, and how do you work through them?
Topic: Define your difference, find the connections, and claim your business
Instructor: Jaime Davies
This presentation guides you through the essential steps of establishing a strong digital presence, from defining your brand and key differentiators to leveraging networking, Google Maps, YouTube monetization, and social media ads. Learn how to transform digital communications and maximize business growth with practical, actionable strategies.
Topic: Be the Leader You Want to Be: Part 2 - Integration
Instructor: Jennifer Barroll
This keynote builds on the foundation of Part 1, and continues to explore how to build a future where your leadership style is integrated and aligned to create and sustain a leadership culture that thrives.
Topic: Marketing Essentials: Elevate Your Business Visibility
Instructor: Diana Noble
Marketing your business is a non-negotiable if you want to be successful, and yet the thought of marketing
sometimes gives entrepreneurs anxiety. What are the most cost-effective strategies? How much should I budget?
What kind of content do I need to put out there?
Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to refresh your marketing approach, this session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Join serial entrepreneur Diana Noble as we unravel the core principles of effective marketing and discuss cost-effective strategies that will set your business on the path to visibility and growth.
Topic: Unlock Your Full Potential
Instructor: Jennifer Barroll
This powerful, funny, and empowering talk focuses on recognizing the special strengths and gifts inside all of us that need to be realized, embraced, and shared.
Topic: Hiring and Retention – Keys to Improving Success
Instructor: Brad Kotowich
FACT: Organizations/businesses today are experiencing labor shortages and high turnover rates!
Consequently, leaders must learn and implement different strategies to help capture the attention of new talent in the recruitment process; and that will ensure a work environment that secures and retains the ongoing interest, engagement, and motivation of that talent. Your ongoing work environment and culture is your brand. Is your brand what people want to ‘buy’? Complacency and hope are not a strategy, nor is it a brand they want to be a part of
Topic: Elevate Your Business With Simple Quarterly Business Reviews
Instructor: Cliff Turner
In this session you will learn a quick and simple method to keep your finger on the pulse of your business.
A holistic quarterly business review encompasses various aspects of a company's operations, performance, and strategic direction over a specific quarter. However, it does not need to be time consuming and cumbersome.
By concentrating on key elements and indicators, you can quickly understand where your business stands, how it is changing and where it is headed. This will allow you to spot opportunities early and see pitfalls before you stumble into them.
This session will provide you with an easy to use review format. Using it will ensure you are knowledgeable about your business’ position and help instill confidence in your decision making.
Topic: Data Analysis for Rural Small Businesses
Instructor: Daru Pretorius
"Data Analysis for Rural Small Businesses" delivers invaluable insights and practical strategies tailored for small business owners and entrepreneurs operating in rural communities. Through a dynamic exploration of data analysis techniques and real-world case studies, we unveil the transformative power of data-driven decision-making.
In this engaging session, attendees will discover:
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The significance of data analysis in today's competitive business landscape.
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A comprehensive overview of data analysis techniques, including descriptive, predictive, prescriptive, and statistical analysis.
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Real-world examples showcasing how small businesses can leverage data analysis to overcome challenges and achieve growth.
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Practical applications of data analysis in inventory management, marketing optimization, and customer engagement.
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Humorous anecdotes and relatable quotes to keep the audience engaged while delivering actionable insights.
With a focus on empowering rural small businesses, this presentation equips attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to harness the full potential of data analysis, driving sustainable growth and success in their endeavours.
Topic: The Power of Digital Marketing
Instructor: Diana Gonzalez
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, content marketing has emerged as a cornerstone strategy for businesses seeking to engage and grow their audience.
This speech will explore the transformative power of digital content marketing, highlighting how it drives brand awareness, fosters customer loyalty, and boosts sales.
Join us as we delve into the key components of successful content marketing strategies, including the creation of compelling, relevant, and valuable content tailored to your target audience.
We'll discuss the importance of leveraging various digital platforms, to amplify your message and reach.
Attendees will gain insights into the latest trends and tools shaping the future of content marketing. Learn how data-driven decisions can enhance your strategy and discover innovative ways to measure the impact of your efforts.
Whether you're a seasoned marketer or new to the field, this speech will equip you with practical tips and strategies to elevate your content marketing game and drive meaningful business results.
Breakout sessions - Thursday, October 10, 2024
Topic: Empowered Communication
Instructor: Jennifer Barroll
Jennifer Barroll teaches the top five communication must-haves that save leaders and their teams time, effort, and energy while reinforcing a positive and productive work environment.
Topic: Community Prosperity & Economic Growth: The Role of Childcare Co-ops in Alberta
Instructor: Ryley Hawkeswood
Does your community need more childcare spaces? Childcare co-operatives are a way for economic development officers, municipal and business leaders, parents, and community members to work together to create non-profit licensed childcare centres.
Co-operatives First's Ryley Hawkeswood will discuss the importance of childcare to local economies and offer a unique way for communities to come together and provide this essential service. You'll learn about the impact of childcare on local economies, how other communities have created this service themselves, and how Co-operatives First can help get a childcare co-op started.
Topic: Doing Business with the Government of Canada
Instructor: Dolan Bogus
Learn how find and bid on Federal Procurement opportunities that total over $37B annually. This presentation will focus on how to do business with the Federal Government of Canada, presented by Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC).
Topic: Alberta, the Province of Opportunity
Instructor: J. Angus Watt
Alberta 2025
The impact of immigration.
The Covid hangover.
Followed by the explanation why Alberta has the strongest population growth currently in the world.
Topic: First Impressions: Enhancing New Employee Onboarding
Instructor: Sara Hurtubise
CPHR Sara Hurtubise will present topics that focus on enhancing the onboarding process to improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
She will discuss the importance of first impressions, strategies for creating a welcoming culture and setting clear expectations. Attendees will learn about leveraging technology, the benefits of personalization, mentorship, and continuous feedback and more to refine your onboarding strategies