Business On The Lake 2026: Bridging the Gap

Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region is proud to present Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 — a one-day mini business conference created in direct response to the most recent research on the region’s business challenges. This event is the answer many in our community have been waiting for: practical solutions, strategic insights, and real conversations that address the current workforce gaps, leadership gaps, and shifting business dynamics impacting northern Alberta today.

Taking place on February 12, 2026 at the Northern Lakes College Gymnasium, this dynamic regional gathering will bring together entrepreneurs, employers, HR professionals, educators, Indigenous leaders, youth organizations, government partners, and aspiring business owners for a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and forward-thinking action.

In partnership with the Government of Alberta, Alberta North Central Alliance, and Northern Lakes College, the conference will offer fresh perspectives, practical tools, and meaningful networking opportunities to strengthen leadership capacity, improve workforce development strategies, and support business growth across the region.

What to Expect

This year’s conference will feature six interactive sessions and a local entrepreneur spotlight, each intentionally designed to address the most pressing challenges facing rural businesses — including labour mismatch (as identified in the recent ANCA/Ballard Group study), workforce development, digital transformation, leadership, and financial resilience.

📅 Mark Your Calendars:

• When: Thursday, February 12, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Where: Northern Lakes College Gym, Slave Lake

• Promo: $235.00 (Table for 6)

• Take advantage of the early bird price of $39.95, available until December 30, 2025.

• Cost: $49.95 (includes lunch and snacks!)

Conference Highlights

• 9:00 AM- 9:50 AM - Bridging the Workforce Gap: Skills-Based Hiring vs. Credentialism with Jennifer Ireson (Balance Perspectives HR Canada) Learn how focusing on skills and potential can open doors to more inclusive hiring.

• 10:05 AM - 11:00 AM - Bridging the AI Gap: AI and Digital Transformation with Jason Bacon (Sunstone Strategic) Discover practical ways to use AI and automation to improve efficiency and productivity.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Bridging the Youth Pathways Gap: Apprenticeships & Micro-credentials Panel. Hear from Northern Lakes College and local employers on how youth training programs can build the next generation of skilled workers.

• 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM -Lunch

• 12:30 PM- 1:00 PM- Spotlight: A Journey from the North Jesse Roberts, owner of Jesse Convenience Store and Ray’s Convenience Store in Wabasca. Jesse will share his inspiring story of resilience, community involvement, and growth — a real example of how determination and his entrepreneurial spirit can drive success in northern Alberta.

• 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM- Aging with grace by Tracy Leggett

• 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Bridging the Marketing Gap: Digital Marketing on a Budget with Chana Trudel, social media manager and content creator. Learn how to market your business online effectively — even on a small budget.

• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Bridging the Financial Gap: Access to Capital and Building Financial Resilience with Cliff Turner (ATB Financial) Explore financing options and strategies to strengthen your business’s financial foundation.

• 3:00 PM -4:00 PM - Bridging the Leadership Gap: Leading Through Change. Gain insights on how to lead with adaptability, inclusivity, and emotional intelligence.

CHECK OUT OUR SPEAKERS:

JENNIFER IRESON

Jennifer Ireson, CPHR, M.Ed. is the founder of Balanced Perspectives, an Alberta-based HR consulting firm focused on helping employers build strong teams from hire to retire. With nearly 25 years of HR experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, Jennifer blends practical strategy with down-to-earth advice that resonates with real workplaces. Known for her humour and straight-talking approach, she delivers workshops and presentations across Western Canada on topics like recruitment, workplace culture, and employee engagement. Jennifer believes the best workplaces are built when people are hired for their potential and supported to grow into their success.

Presentation Summary: Rethinking Qualified: Closing the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity. Across our region, employers say, “We can’t find good people,” and workers say, “We can’t find jobs.” So why aren’t they connecting? Credentials, experience, and education will always have their place — especially in technical or regulated professions.  But not every great employee starts with all the paperwork in hand. When we focus only on formal qualifications, we can overlook people with the right skills and the drive to learn.

In this session, Jennifer Ireson takes a practical look at what it really means to be qualified. She’ll help employers spot transferable skills, ask interview questions that uncover actual ability, and create ways for employees to earn credentials while they’re working. Using real examples from Alberta workplaces, Jennifer blends insight and humour to show how to hire for character before credentials and attitude over aptitude. Participants will leave with simple, realistic steps to change how they hire and train — starting Monday morning. Jennifer’s goal isn’t to lower standards; it’s to help employers recognize the talent already right in front of them and give people a chance to grow into the roles their businesses need.

JASON BACON

Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit began in fifth grade, when he and a friend sold tadpoles to classmates—until the principal shut down their first “business venture,” teaching him an early lesson in regulation. His passion for entrepreneurship grew from there. After completing a Bachelor of Management in Finance from the University of Lethbridge, Jason spent years supporting business owners through lending, risk management, coaching, and training.

Today, as the founder of Sunstone Strategic, he helps entrepreneurs and communities move forward through practical education, business planning, and hands-on coaching. He’s also the author of Entrepreneur-ish, a book that blends lessons from Vikings, pirates, and samurai with modern business insights.

Presentation:

In this engaging and practical session, participants will explore how artificial intelligence can

make hiring, marketing, and operations simpler, faster, and more effective—without losing

fairness or the human touch. Designed for small businesses, municipalities, and community

organizations, Bridging the AI Gap demystifies AI and focuses on real-world applications that

work in rural and small-town contexts. Attendees will learn simple frameworks for evaluating and implementing AI tools responsibly, discover low-cost solutions for everyday challenges, and gain strategies for leading teams through digital change with confidence and clarity. By the end of the

session, participants will leave with actionable ideas, practical tools, and a renewed sense of possibility for the future of work.

TRACY FOLORUNSHO-BARRY

Tracy Folorunsho-Barry is a visionary social entrepreneur, employment strategist, and the Founder & CEO of GROW Women Leaders and the GROW Foundation — both operating under Grow Hands Enterprise Ltd. A global platform committed to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent women, especially immigrant, Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour (BIWoC), from accessing meaningful employment and leadership opportunities.

With more than a decade of impact in workforce development, policy advocacy, inclusive hiring systems, and social enterprise innovation, Tracy has become a leading voice in advancing equitable pathways to work. Her approach bridges grassroots realities with global conversations, proving that when women are given dignified work and leaders adopt inclusive systems, entire communities thrive.

Tracy is widely recognized for her ability to guide organizations and communities through change — helping leaders embrace inclusive practices, build adaptive and resilient teams, strengthen mentorship cultures, and close leadership gaps across diverse workplaces. Her work empowers companies, policymakers, and emerging leaders to rethink how they hire, retain, and elevate talent in a rapidly changing world.

Presentation: "Leading Through Change”: 

Join Tracy F. Barry, Founder & CEO of GROW Women Leaders™, for an empowering session on adaptive and inclusive leadership in times of change. Tracy explores how emotional intelligence, cross-cultural collaboration, and mentorship can bridge today’s leadership gaps and build stronger, future-ready workplaces. Participants will leave with practical tools to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact.

CLIFF TURNER

Cliff Turner is an Entrepreneur Ecosystem Strategist at ATB Financial, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs throughout Alberta. His passion lies in helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges and changes they encounter throughout all stages of their business journey. 

Cliff  has been a part of the small business ecosystem since 2005. As an Entrepreneur Ecosystem Strategist for ATB Financial, Cliff functions as a thinking partner, guide and connection to resources for small businesses.

Presentation Summary: Funding Programs, Access to Capital & Building Stronger Relationships

This session is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the financial supports and partnerships available through various institutions and community programs to help them grow their businesses. Alberta’s small business support ecosystem is robust, but it can also feel overwhelming. In this session, you’ll learn about key organizations, resources, and tools available to guide you along your entrepreneurial journey — from business plan templates and market research to grants, loans, and alternative funding options. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to find and leverage the right supports to strengthen and scale your business.

TRACY LEGGETT

Tracy Leggett is a Reiki Master, EFT practitioner, and spiritual coach dedicated to helping others find balance, healing, and inner peace. With a heart-centred and intuitive approach, she guides individuals through energy healing and self-discovery, creating warm, nurturing spaces for transformation. Through her sessions and presentations, Tracy inspires others to reconnect with their true selves and embrace the magic within.

Tracy will be speaking on Aging with Grace in the Workplace and inviting participants to join a short tapping session—another meaningful tool they can add to their wellness toolkit.

We’ll explore:• Compassion for ourselves• Meeting our own needs• Remembering our value

JESSE ROBERTS

Spotlight: A Journey from the North Jesse Roberts, owner of Jesse Convenience Store, Jesse Liquor Store, and Ray’s Convenience Store in Wabasca. Jesse, who is considered an experienced business owner, will share real-life insights on how he grew his businesses and highlight the benefits of entrepreneurship for youth looking to build strong, opportunity-driven futures in northern Alberta.

Building a Stronger Future

Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 is more than a conference — it’s a platform for action. By connecting businesses, educators, and community partners, the event aims to spark collaboration, inspire innovation, and strengthen the local workforce and economy.

When we move forward together, we transform challenges into opportunities and build stronger businesses, stronger leaders, and stronger communities.