Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 — A Day of Learning, Leadership, and Connection

Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 brought together entrepreneurs, employers, educators, and industry professionals for a full day of practical learning and meaningful dialogue. Hosted by Community Futures Slave Lake Region, the conference focused on workforce development, leadership,AI, and building stronger businesses across northern Alberta.

The day began with warm welcome remarks from Mayor Frankie Ward, setting a positive tone for the event. This was followed by an insightful opening session led by Jennifer Ireson of Balanced Perspectives HR Canada, who encouraged employers to rethink what it means to be “qualified.” The opening session invited everyone to look at hiring through a different lens. Instead of focusing only on resumes and credentials, she encouraged employers to think about skills, attitude, and potential. Her down-to-earth style made the message easy to connect with, and many attendees walked away rethinking what it really means to be “qualified.”

Jennifer spoke honestly about the challenges businesses face when building strong teams. She reminded us that growth doesn’t always come from finding the perfect candidate — sometimes it comes from mentoring people, recognizing transferable skills, and giving employees the chance to grow into their roles. Her message was simple: when leaders stay open-minded and supportive, workplaces become stronger.

Throughout the day, attendees participated in sessions, including:

📌 Bridging the AI Gap with Jason Bacon, explored how artificial intelligence can make everyday business tasks easier — from hiring and marketing to operations. He introduced tools like Zapier and ChatGPT, showing how even small changes can save time and help businesses stay competitive in a fast-changing world.

📌 Bridging the Youth Pathways Gap Panel panel brought together voices from Northern Lakes College, local employers, Prospect Canada, Futureworks, and High Prairie School Division. The discussion focused on preparing young people for today’s workforce. Lauren, HR Manager from Vanderwell, spoke about the growing need for skilled trades such as millwrights, plumbers, and healthcare professionals - roles that are essential to our region and can’t be outsourced. Jasmine from Northern Lakes College explained how apprenticeship programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experience, helping people build skills step by step through micro-credentials. Panelists also talked openly about the challenges of hiring entry-level candidates, noting the importance of digital skills, problem-solving, communication, reliability, and adaptability. The conversation offered helpful ideas for educators, employers, and anyone supporting youth as they begin their career journeys.

📌 Spotlight: A Journey from the North with Jesse Roberts, owner of Jesse Convenience Store, Jesse Liquor Store, and Ray’s Convenience Store in Wabasca. Jesse shared his story, offering real-life lessons about entrepreneurship and encouraging young people to explore business ownership in northern Alberta.

📌 Aging with Grace in the Workplace with Tracy Leggett, introduced simple wellness tools and a short tapping session that encouraged participants to recognize stress points and maintain balance in both work and life.

📌 Maximize Your Reach With Google with Chana Trudel, provided easy steps for improving online visibility using a free Google Business Profile. She shared tips on connecting with customers who are already searching for local services.

📌 Bridging the Financial Gap with Cliff Turner of ATB Financial, guided entrepreneurs through funding programs, financial supports, and ways to build stronger business foundations. His session helped attendees better understand how to navigate Alberta’s support ecosystem.

📌 Leading Through Change with Tracy Folorunsho-Barry, - closed the day with a powerful and inspiring conversation about inclusive leadership, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and adaptability. One message really stood out — the most effective leaders today aren’t always the most experienced; they’re the ones who know how to adapt, listen, and grow with change. Leadership is no longer defined by titles or seniority, but by influence, responsibility, self-awareness, and the ability to collaborate with others. She also spoke about the importance of leading yourself first — building emotional intelligence, staying open to learning, managing challenges with resilience, and embracing a growth mindset. Her words left participants feeling energized and confident, ready to lead with purpose and create workplaces where people feel respected, supported, and truly valued.

Employment Services

Employment service providers were also present throughout the venue, offering valuable information about the programs and supports available to individuals looking to find work, build new skills, or explore career pathways. Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with organizations making an impact in workforce development across the region, including:

Northern Lakes College — providing education, training, and skills development opportunities that help learners prepare for meaningful careers close to home.

Prospect Canada — a nonprofit organization focused on employment support, training, and workforce development, helping individuals move into sustainable careers while also supporting employers in finding the right talent.

Futureworks — offering free career support, job-search assistance, training programs, and employer connections designed to help people successfully re-enter the workforce.

Rupertsland Institute — a Métis-focused organization delivering education, training, employment, and research programs that empower Métis people to build skills and pursue meaningful career opportunities.

A Conference That Sparked Action

Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 was more than just a conference - it became a space where conversations turned into ideas, and ideas turned into action. Business owners, educators, and community leaders connected in ways that will continue to strengthen the region long after the event.

From workforce development and digital growth to leadership and wellness, the day showed what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose. To keep the energy high, several raffle prizes were given away throughout the event, including an iPad won by Roberta Hunt.

Heartfelt Thank You!

A sincere thank you to all of our speakers for sharing their knowledge and experiences, and to our valued partners — the Government of Alberta, Alberta North Central Alliance, Futureworks, and Northern Lakes College — along with our generous sponsors, ATB Financial, Entrepreneur Disability Program, Mathieu Hryniuk LLP, and Kaft Accounting, for helping make this event possible.

A special thank you to our amazing emcee, Roberta Hunt, for keeping the day running smoothly and creating an engaging atmosphere. And to our attendees — your energy, participation, and commitment truly made this event a success.

Until next time, keep building, keep learning, and keep supporting one another as we continue shaping the future of business in our region.