A macro-economic overview and analysis of geopolitical trends and risks with a five-year outlook in mind. The presentations, followed by a panel discussion covered a multitude of topics including civil & public infrastructure, education sector, energy, resource and mining industries, commodity prices, inflation, and interest rate among other key economic drivers. 

Our three panelists presented on topics unique to their fields of work, but one common theme emerged: Alberta and Canada will recover from the COVID recession, just as we have recovered from boom-and-bust cycles in the past. The panelists discussed inflation, the housing market and the rise of interest rates as factors that should inform decision-making. Noting that Canadian unemployment rates are reaching nearly 50-year lows, and that there is a lot of publicly funded construction and infrastructure planned for the next few years. New trends, like urbanization – retrofitting a pre-COVID world to fit post-COVID reality – are emerging, while other preexisting trends like investing in conflict-free energy continue to remain important.

A panel discussion around Indigenous perspectives on major project development. Taking a long term and macro view, the panel discussed the outlook of major projects within the Country, the regulatory environment for approvals, how Indigenous communities view participation in major projects now and in the future, and how major project development can further reconciliation within Canada.

From the perspectives of both Indigenous and Corporate panelists, the key ingredient to successful Indigenous partnerships on energy projects or development is seeking to understand. Active listening and encouraging Indigenous communities to voice concerns before, during and after development, will ensure that all parties are aligned. Merasty and Chief Willson spoke of past challenges, and articulated how organizations can do better, while highlighting the wonderful benefits of strong, collaborative corporate partnerships.

Sorenson and Anderson shared corporate perspectives, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful collaboration and respect during consultation with First Nations. Sorenson reminded attendees that there is no project that will erase the more than 200 years of conflict; we must instead focus on shared benefits and what Nations want and need from the projects. Anderson left attendees with the question; “How can we work toward the greater good before, during and after these projects”?

Alberta's Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation, Doug Schweitzer oversees the implementation of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, its sector strategies, and Alberta’s growth agenda. Discussion centered around how the provincial government is supporting businesses and growing the economy, with a focus on the tech and innovation sector. 

An engaging panel discussion regarding the travel and travel technology industries, Big Data, AI, machine learning and other innovations and disruptors.

Our panelists delved into the inner workings of AI, big data and workforce travel to educate attendees on the connections between them. Although highly technical, the decision to use AI and big data should be a business strategy, rather than a technology strategy. Whether we know it or not, we interact with AI and big data every day. As a result, any AI strategy should focus on helping companies make smarter business decisions that benefit both the brand, values and business direction, while improving the customer experience. By focusing on solving problems and developing a minimum viable product, companies can successfully employ AI.  

From a workforce travel perspective, panelists all asserted that travel companies can improve customer satisfaction by focusing on soft attributes – how customers feel, how they receive their information, etc. – and gauging customer readiness by examining success in adjacent businesses and industries.