EDA News Centre

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” - Potter Stewart

Economic developers handle confidential information, compete for projects and serve several stakeholders. It is important that we do business that upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct and create an ethical culture that shows we consistently do business with these high standards in place. 

Most of us view ethical behaviour as common sense, but sometimes it's not that black and white.

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) along with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) are holding a training worship that will help you navigate ethics in economic development.

This course is also designed to show you how to fine tune your ethics program including how to develop a Code of Conduct.

This workshop is a recertification requirement for Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs). 

Be sure to join us for this FREE workshop. 

IEDC/EDA Economic Development Ethics Workshop. 

Wednesday May 11, 1PM - 5PM

Online via ZOOM

This IEDC/EDA training session will cover a variety of topics including: guidance on the importance of integrity in decision making; tools for making ethical decisions; and interactive case study examples to demonstrate ethical decision making in difficult situations.

This workshop is being held during Economic Development Week May 9 -13.

REGISTER 

The Alberta Hemp Alliance is holding a Conference called:

Exploring the World of Hemp Opportunities

April 21 - 22, 2022  

Click on the link below to read more and register: 

https://www.keinetwork.net/current-conferences

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Recognizes Excellence in Economic Development in Alberta 

Thursday, April 7 2022 - Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) presented its Annual Awards of Excellence during EDA Xperience 2022: Leaders' Summit and Conference at the Pomeroy Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis.

The 2022 Annual Awards of Excellence honour Alberta individuals for their contribution to the profession; as well as Alberta communities for excellence in the following categories:

• Economic Development Renewal Project
  
• Implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) priorities in an Economic Development Project 
  
• Regional Collaboration and Partnership Project  

The winning communities and organizations and the names of their initiatives are: 

Economic Development Renewal Project  

• Large Community:  City of Red Deer - Meet the Street
• Medium Community:  Community Futures Wildrose - Wildrose Agritourism                         Innovation Challenge
• Small Community: Town of Sundre - Sundre Light Garden

Implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Priorities in an Economic Development Project:  Large Community:  Calgary Economic Development - Implementation of ESG Strategy for Film & Television: The Calgary Film Commission Small Community:  - Municipal District of Greenview - Greenview Industrial Gateway  - Town of Claresholm - Welcoming Claresholm

Regional Collaboration and Partnership Project:  

• Large Community: City of Edmonton - Downtown Vibrancy Strategy
• Medium Community: Community Futures West Yellowhead - Supporting Local on the Road to Recovery
• Small Community: Flagstaff County - Flagstaff Crafted Fall/Winter Gift Guide

The Alex Metcalfe Awards

These awards celebrate the best of the best in each category: 

Economic Development Renewal Project: Town of Sundre - Sundre Light Garden

Implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Priorities in an Economic Development Project:  Calgary Economic Development - Implementation of ESG Strategy for Film & Television: The Calgary Film Commission

Regional Collaboration and Partnership Project:  City of Edmonton - Downtown Vibrancy Strategy

The individuals recognized are: 

The Economic Developer of the Year

Brady Schnell

Economic Development Officer

 Town of Claresholm

The Outstanding Young Professional

Kim Welby

Economic Development Officer

SouthGrow Regional Initiative 

The President’s Award Justin Reimer Assistant Deputy Minister Prairies Economic Development Canada, Alberta Region at Government of Canada The EDA Individual Awards These Awards recognize the people and partnerships who made a significant contribution to the ongoing work of our organization, Economic Developers Alberta (EDA). Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) Trainer of the Year Natalie Gibson  InnoVisions and Associates EDA Mentor of the Year  Martin Ebel Economic Development Officer  Lethbridge County EDA Mentee of the Year  Jacqueline Buchanan Economic Development Officer Kneehill County EDA Project Partner of the Year  Anita McGillis  Odvod Publishing

A reminder that the deadline to submit your entry for an EDA Award of Excellence is one week from today.  Friday, March 11 at 4:30 PM.

Apply Here

The EDA Awards of Excellence is open to any EDA member in good standing who lives in Alberta.

If you have never competed for an EDA Award of Excellence take some time this weekend and put together your application; this is your year to apply!

To reflect the ever-changing nature of economic development and the creative projects our members are undertaking throughout the province.... 

EDA has revised our Annual Awards of Excellence Program by creating new community award categories and a streamlined application process! 

Here are the revised categories in a nutshell: 

• Economic Development Renewal Project (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Retail, Tourism)
  
• Implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) priorities in an Economic Development Project.
  
• Regional Collaboration and Partnership Project....read more here. 
  

The groups: large, medium and small community remain the same. The Economic Developer of the Year and Outstanding Young Professional categories remain the same.  

The awards will be presented during EDA Xperience 2022 Leaders' Summit and Conference  April 6-8 in Kananaskis. 

This message is for Conference Delegates Only....You received an email on March 3 asking for confirmation of your personal inforamtion.

We will be sending our delegate list to the printer next week to prepare all of the Conference Name Badges.

If the information is correct there is no need to contact us.  

If any of the information is incorrect or missing:

Please let Janice Grant know at: admin@edaalberta.ca by end of business Monday, March 7.

Friday, March 11 

Submission Deadline, EDA Annual Awards of Excellence 

Open to EDA Members, our Annual Awards of Excellence celebrates the hard work economic development professionals undertake in their communities. 

There have been changes to the Community Awards categories plus a streamlined application process. 

Apply here

EDA voting members in good standing are eligible to attend the EDA Annual General Meeting on Friday, March 31, 9:00 AM. Once again we are holding our AGM online via ZOOM.

At the AGM voting members will elect the 2022-23 Board of Directors.

Please note, registration is restricted to voting members, so please be sure you are signed in with the email and password associated with your EDA Membership. 

You can prepare for the AGM by visiting the "AGM section" of our website.

There you will find all the relevant documents you need to participate including Board Candidate profiles and the proxy voting form.

Only EDA voting members in good standing will be able to access this part of the website. You must be logged in with the email and password associated with your EDA Membership. 

If you cannot attend the AGM on March 31, you can vote by proxy. 

If you want to be represented by proxy you must visit the AGM webpage, download the proxy form located there and submit the form by Monday, March 21 at 4:30 PM. 

More in information and AGM registration 

Business and Investment Attraction March 8 - April 11

Register 

Get involved in keeping Alberta's economy rolling by getting the best information on business and investment attraction.

New investments drive our economy by expanding business opportunities, supporting jobs (and creating new ones,) accelerating innovation, and increasing exports.

Join us for our Business and Investment Attraction online course through the University of Calgary and you'll get information to support BIA efforts that you can use in your community right now.

The course runs March 8 - April 11. 

Also, credits earned with this course can be counted toward your professional designation.

Guest rooms in the EDA block at the Pomeroy Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis are going fast.

EDA has been thinking ahead, and we have secured accommodation at an "off site" location, a 20 minute drive from the Pomeroy Mountain Lodge. 

Giving you two options for accommodation for EDA Xperience 2022.

Offsite Option

There is a block of rooms at the Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino 

To access our preferred rates, use "eda" as the Promo Code. 

You will be responsible for your own transportation to the Conference Site. 

To contact the Stoney Nakota Resort and Casino directly, call Vikki Ellis at: 403. 881. 2853

Onsite Option 

A reminder that after Friday, March 4 the EDA block of rooms will be released at the Pomeroy Mountain Lodge, the site of EDA Xperience 2022.

Be sure to book now.

To contact the resort directly call: 403. 591. 6255  

There is ample parking at the Pomeroy Mountain Lodge. 

Economic Development Week

May 9 -13 

2022 Community Challenge in Alberta

For the second year in a row; Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta are joining EDA to amplify the importance of economic development by inviting you to take part in the 2022 Community Challenge. 

You can participate by having your community officially proclaim May 9 - 13 as "Economic Development Week."

Last year, 34 Alberta Communities made the official proclamation, exceeding our goal of 25 communities.

This year, we're upping the ante: our goal is to have 50 Alberta Communities make the official proclamation! 

Read more here