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April 27, 2020 - Optional Pre- Conference Workshop

9:00 – Registration – delegates on their own for luncheon

9:30-4:30 Investment Models for Community Resilience Seeking sustainable, long term sources of funds for community projects, programs and services are now essential as public sector support is not always available. Three presenters will discuss the advantages and impacts of arms-length economic development corporations; community foundations; and community investment co-ops.

Moderator for the Day – Cherylynn Walters, Indigenous Business Network

Economic Development Corporations Tyler Morin, CEO, Sakitawak Development Corporation

Community Foundations – Carm Michalenko, CEO Saskatoon Foundation

Community Investment Co-ops – Kyle White, Cooperatives First

7:30 pm SEDA Annual General Meeting

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April 28, 2020 - Conference Agenda – Day 1

7:00 AM Registration & Breakfast

Early Morning Meetup – Coffee & Conversation in the Manitoba Room.

8:00 – 9:15 Opening Remarks, Prayer Plenary “Saskatchewan Success Stories”. Our opening plenary will highlight best practices from six Saskatchewan communities.

1. City of Warman, Josh Welz, Economic Development Officer 2. Town of St Walburg, Mayor George Prudat 3. Town of Langenburg, Lina Petkeviciene, Economic Development Officer 4. City of Prince Albert, Heather Greier, Economic Development Coordinator 5. Village of Borden, Cody Bradshaw Deputy Mayor 6. Economic Development Regina, TBA

9:15 – 9:45 Break – Networking/Refreshment Break

9:45-11:00

Breakout 1a Workers Compensation Board Update Workplace safety is part of Saskatchewan business DNA. Join WCB to learn about the latest initiatives and results.

Indigenous Engagement Charter The most important economic opportunity in Saskatchewan is bringing the Indigenous population to the same economic level as the broader population. Nick Crighton, Director of Indigenous Engagement, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce will present on the Indigenous Engagement Charter – a roadmap to provide businesses with the tools to achieve engagement and assist the business community in demonstrating the role it must play in reconciliation.

Breakout 1b The Power of Social: Leveraging Your Local Assets Discover how to leverage your own story as we discuss strategies against the backdrop of the Great Moose War of 2019. Presenters: Craig Hemingway, City of Moose Jaw and Sara Wheelwright Trusted Marketing

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11:00 – 12:00

Breakout 2a Retaining young entrepreneurs and employees outside of urban centers This enlightening session is presented by the Saskatchewan Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (SYPE), a group of young and energetic people, working together to promote business and opportunity in Saskatchewan.

Breakout 2b Working towards community food security. For over 30 years CHEP Good Food Inc. has provided healthy food to the citizens of Saskatoon. Discover and learn from youth-led food security programs that CHEP offers, including food access, growth, and distribution systems. Presenters: Zoe Arnold, Urban Agriculture Coordinator & Michayla van de Velde, Markets and Outreach Coordinator.

12:00 – 12:30 Buffet Lunch is Served

12:30 – 1:15 SEDA & Affinity Credit Union Awards

1:15 – 2:15 The Intersection of Chamber, Economic Development & Tourism Rural and small urban centers struggle with capacity to carry on independent tourism, economic development and chamber of commerce initiatives. Our panel will discuss present day realities and alternatives. Panelists: Jackie Wall, Estevan Chamber of Commerce; Twila Walkenden, City of Weyburn and Brent Fitzpatrick, Humboldt Chamber

2:15 – 3:15 Breakout 3a Protein Industries Canada What can your chamber/community do to get into the supply chain? What would your area be best positioned to do in this sector? What is the market and why? Presenter Tiffany Stephenson, Vice President Communication, Protein Industries

Breakout 3b Perfect your Community’s Value Proposition. In order to put together a winning pitch, economic developer’s/community leaders must understand how to articulate their community’s value proposition. The interactive session would provide “how tos’ on how to understand a community’s value proposition and write the perfect elevator pitch. Presenter TBA

Offsite Tour Pre-Reg $ Local Food Trail Experience Participate in this agri-tourism experience and discover how you can capitalize on your local food and agri-business assets. The food trail includes visits to three farms, a local food talk and tasting at Pine View Farms Red Barn. Food and beer tasting included. Extra $ Applies

3:15 – 3:30 Break

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3:30 – 4:30 Breakout 4a The Future of Retail. This session will illustrate emerging trends and examples of creative approaches to Place-Based Retail. Presenter Grant Wilson, Edwards School of Business

Breakout 4b

Leading a Changing Landscape: Community Resilience Our panel will discuss the realities of leadership amid economic uncertainties. Presenters: Catherine McKay-Wilson, Town of Coronach rep; Bruce Fidler, Town of Creighton, Becky Cianflone, Greenstone CFDC; Elizabeth Teliz-McQuarrie, Decoding Greatness.

4:45 – 8:30 Riversdale BID Experience OPTIONAL $ applies Visit several businesses who are “doing it differently” and cap it off with dinner and beer tasting at Cohen’s Beer Republic. Discover Riversdale’s link to the infamous Morris Cohen.

Broadway BID Experience OPTIONAL $ applies Before a terrific four-course meal at Una’s (those who were there in 2018 will attest to its merit!), you will be inspired by new approaches to retail by Broadway area businesses and social enterprises.

April 29, 2020 – Conference Day 2

7:00-8:00 Breakfast

7:00 -8:00 Early Morning Meetup – Coffee & Conversation in the Manitoba Room. Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting 7:30 to 8:00am

8:00 – 8:45 State of the Economy Join Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist of BDC, as he presents the most up-to-date information on the performance of national and global economies. From challenges related to labour shortage to interest rates, discover how Canadian businesses should navigate the economy to position themselves for growth.

8:45 – 9:45 Breakout 5a Saskatchewan’s Tech Sector and Developing the Skilled Labour We Need Aaron Genest of Sask Tech will show us how to satisfy the labour needs of the new normal.

Breakout 5b Consequences of Inaction: When we don’t talk to our best customer Local businesses are our ‘best customer’ and essential to maintaining a vibrant community. Discover the consequences of inaction and simple techniques to ensure retention and ideally expansion of your existing business base. Presenter: Paul Blais, MDB Insight

9:45 – 10:15 Break

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10:15 – 11:45

Breakout 6a Plenary Room Saskatchewan Energy Tech Oil, gas, and renewables. How Saskatchewan can lead the way in a low carbon, not no carbon, economy. A half hour introduction from policy expert Joshua Kurkjian, followed by an hour panel discussion with Dean Clark, Greenwave Innovations; Mike Marsh Sask Power; Guy Lonechild FNPA.

Breakout 6b Digital Main Street Discover services provided free to businesses by Digital Main Street and the additional utility it can provide to local economic development efforts. Presenter: Darryl Julott, Senior Manager Digital Main Street

11:15 – 12:15 Breakout 7a Rural Innovation Hubs This session will profile rural digital and development hubs operating in Europe and the United States. Presenter Elan Buan, Schollie Research & Consulting

12:15 – 12:45 Lunch

12:45– 1:45 Building a Local Food Cluster

Hosted by Ag-West Bio

Using a “fireside chat” Q&A format, this session will discuss growing trends in the healthy food and ingredients

industry, and provide insights into creating a thriving local cluster, shining a spotlight on three companies that are

leading the charge.

1:45-3:30 Breakout 8a Investment Attraction: Lead Generation This is a must attend session for community leaders, professionals and industry.

Presenters will discuss the 1) readiness factor; 2) how to take full advantage of your local assets and competitive position and 3) generate and most importantly land business leads.

Presenters: Scott Bryan, Senior Partner Strategy & Consulting, Waveteq ; Ministry of Trade & Export Development Presenter TBA; Davie Lee, Townfolio; Dwight Bramble, City of Estevan

Breakout 8b Creating Community Driven Tourism Experiences A mini workshop with take away worksheets to start ‘experience building’. Join our team of presenters in this hands on session designed to kick start new tourism experiences in your community or region.

Presenters: Corrina Kapeller (Tourism SK) Kristin Catherwood (Heritage SK) Lori Runzer, Runzer & Associates; Cherylynn Walters, CHS Consulting

3:30 Conference Concludes