MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Economic Developers Alberta’s (EDA) 2015 Ministry Dinner An Overwhelming Success

The Honourable Deron Bilous, Alberta’s new Economic Development and Trade Minister addresses over 100 economic development professionals gathered to share ideas

October 29, 2015 Edmonton, Alberta- Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) the province’s leading professional organization for economic developers, held its first Ministry Dinner with over 100 community economic development professionals and key government officials in attendance. The purpose of this event is to bring together these decision makers to network, to share information and to explore potential partnerships. 

“Partnering with job creators, entrepreneurs and visionaries to stimulate economic growth and diversification across Alberta is a top priority for our government,” said the Honourable Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade. “This event is a great opportunity for Albertans to come together and talk about ways we can create opportunity and lasting prosperity for our province.” 

EDA also hosted three other Alberta Cabinet Ministers at the 2015 Ministry Dinner:

• The Honourable Oneil Carlier Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
  
• The Honourable David Eggen Minister of Culture and Tourism
  
• The Honourable  Brian Mason Minister of Infrastructure

This event was unique as it followed an interactive format. Throughout the dinner, several participants changed tables at the beginning of each course of their meal. That maximized the opportunities for government representatives and community economic development professionals to share information about various programs and opportunities.

“Our dinner has been an overwhelming success as it provided key decision makers with the forum to connect; aligning with one of EDA’s strategic priorities to equip our province’s economic development professionals with the most current resources and opportunities,” said Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA CEO. “By supporting the leadership role economic developers have in their communities, we also fortify their efforts to create sustainable economies.”

The Federal and Provincial government departments also represented at the 2015 Ministry Dinner:

• Aboriginal Relations
• Agriculture and Forestry
• Advanced Education
• Culture and Tourism
• Economic Development and Trade
• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour
• Municipal Affairs
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Industry Canada
• Office of Small and Medium Enterprises
• Service Canada
• Trade Commissioner Service
• Western Economic Diversification Canada

Representatives from 60 Alberta communities and organizations were also in attendance. 

Miller Thomson LLP is the sponsor of the 2015 Ministry Dinner.

Read About Economic Developers Alberta

To arrange an interview please contact:

Nancy Toombs Marketing/Communications Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) tel: 403-874-7438 nancy.toombs@edaalberta.ca

Shannon Greer Press Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade tel: 587-594-0132

-30-