The 8th annual Growing the North conference kicks off today in Grande Prairie. The two-day event features speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, with futurist Nikolas Badminton getting things started just before 9 a.m.
This morning’s lineup also includes economic developer Shaun Green on opportunities with First Nations, and Chris Montgomery from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers on the Future of Oil and Gas in Northwest Alberta.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Deron Bilous is also expected to announce funding to boost economic growth and diversification in this part of the province during his keynote address before lunch. Chief Economist for ATB Financial Todd Hirsch will also be speaking about rebuilding Alberta’s economy in 2017.
The event is the largest economic conference in the Peace Region. Networking is another focus, and that kicked off last night with Taste of the Peace.