October 12, 2022 - After two years of participating in the Calgary Economic Development (CED) Economic Outlook from home, attendees can look forward to the event returning live and in-person at the TELUS Convention Centre on October 19.

To celebrate the return to in-person gathering, we’ve rounded up five reasons why you should attend, including a fresh event format and additional opportunities to network.

#1 Financial Insights by ATB’s Deputy Chief Economist, Rob Roach

ATB’s own Deputy Chief Economist Rob Roach will share 10 things to know about the Alberta economy, in a 10-minute presentation to attendees. With decades of experience helping Albertans and business owners in the province make sound strategic decisions, he’s no stranger to finding focus and positive trends in the seemingly ever-changing economic environment.

What can you expect from his planned presentation? Roach says Alberta will continue to face short-term challenges when it comes to the “Three I’s” - invasion (of the global economic slowdown kind), inflation and interest rates. In the long term, Roach is forecasting a number of challenges on the horizon that will impact us all, including an aging population and labour shortage. In his presentation, Roach will expand on these insights and why he believes preparation is key.

#2 Big changes to the event’s format

To celebrate the return to in-person gathering, the event’s format has been updated to encourage connection with more collision spaces. Traditionally hosted as a seated luncheon with assigned tables, the event has been transformed to allow for better interaction between guests, encouraging good conversation and networking, as Calgary’s business community gets reacquainted after two years of online events.

Guests will enjoy a networking reception starting at 3 p.m. with food and drinks, before attending the theatre-style presentation from 4 - 5:30 p.m. The event will wrap up with another networking opportunity from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

#3 New Experiential Activation: ATB’s Café Connect

Between networking and inspiring speakers, a must- visit stop at this year’s event will be ATB’s Café Connect. Economic Outlook marks an exciting time for ATB as it will be the first time Café Connect, one of four experiential footprints, will be brought to life. Albertans can expect to see these newly branded, experiential activations at events across the province in the coming months.

ATB’s Café Connect is designed for attendees to learn, connect and grow, with information and tools that can add value beyond the day’s events. Stop by for a friendly conversation, locally-made beverages and some fantastic ATB giveaways.

#4 Incredible Keynote Speakers

The theme for this year’s Economic Outlook takes on a critical question: Is Calgary well-positioned for the transitioning economy? The event will feature a broad group of speakers, who’ll share their insights on the city’s collective future.

The event will be hosted by Tara Weber, Western Bureau Chief at BNN Bloomberg and Calgary’s Mayor Jyoti Gondek will headline, speaking alongside other business leaders including:

• Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development;
• Rob Roach, Deputy Chief Economist at ATB;
• Alex Grassino, Head of North American Macro Strategy at Manulife Investment Management, and;
• Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist for the Calgary Real Estate Board.

Additional guest speakers include Bryce Starlight, VP of Development at Taza Development Corp, Paul Calderon, CEO of Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and Jon Cornish, Chancellor of the University of Calgary.

#5 Plenty of Networking Opportunities

Economic Outlook 2023 is expected to bring together more than 1,500 business, community and government leaders to network and learn about future economic trends in Calgary, across Alberta, and Canada-wide. With the new event format, attendees can look forward to additional opportunities to network and make meaningful connections with fellow leaders within the Calgary business community.

This year’s Economic Outlook event is shaping up to be a worthwhile gathering of minds. Additional details, information on speakers and tickets to the event are available on the Calgary Economic Outlook’s event website.