Session details to be announced

Sponsored by WestJet

Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with the Travel Alberta Team, friends and colleagues, while enjoying great food in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. This welcome evening is a great way to meet new industry partners and build relationships.
Sponsored by Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Sponsored by Tourism Lethbridge

Prairies Economic Development Canada will have a team on site to discuss the Tourism Relief Fund.

The TRF will help position Canada as a destination of choice by empowering businesses to create or enhance tourism experiences and providing supports to help reposition the sector to welcome international visitors.  TRF is a $500-million national program with a minimum of $50 million earmarked specifically to support Indigenous tourism initiatives. The program is currently receiving applications while funding is available and closes March 31, 2023. Be sure to take the time to meet with the team during Congress to discuss how this program can assist your business.

Congress will kick off this morning with information you won’t want to miss from the Government of Alberta, WestJet, Indigenous Tourism Alberta and more!

From globalization to urbanization to dealing with demographic change, the world we know is morphing into a different planet with different economic opportunities and challenges. What are the trends taking today into tomorrow, and what are the trends that are resulting from the shift? In this talk , Linda Nazareth talks about the dozens of things she sees happening, and the challenges – and opportunities they present to the economy, the labour market and the financial markets – and to the tourism industry.

As Alberta’s visitor economy emerges from a worldwide pandemic following a record-setting 2019, we need to make sure that recovery is built on a solid platform while addressing systemic business challenges. This 2022 state-of-the-industry address will present a real-time look at where we are and where we can go, using fresh research data and feedback from industry members. The Tourism Industry Association of Alberta’s Darren Reeder will provide an overview of how key industry partners should come together to recommit resources, increase resiliency, and review priorities. Though full recovery may be a few years away yet, now is the time to develop the strategy.

 Over lunch we’ll hear from the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism for the Government of Canada. 

How we handle and resolve the tourism industry’s labour challenges during a time of unprecedented crisis will determine how quickly and successfully we recover. During this session we will co-create a solution  that will be our path to success and will also be the foundation to how our industry influences and is heard during next year’s highly competitive provincial election. 
 
Moderated by Tourism Industry Association of Alberta’s Darren Reeder, the all-star panel will feature Phil Mondor of Tourism HR Canada to set the scene and frame the issues. Melinda Choy of Canadian Immigration Connections will share her considerable on-the-ground real-world experience around what is needed for success. And Rimrock Resort Hotel’s Karli Fleury and Marriott’s Robin O'Hearn will provide insights into the challenges that have stood in their way. Together, along with the audience’s participation, the outcome of the hour together is momentum and consensus around next steps. 

Sponsored by Heritage Park

A global pandemic, social unrest and economic fluctuations all affected the tourism industry over the past few years. In this panel, industry leaders share their insights about what worked, and what didn’t, and how they managed to survive, and thrive.

The past two years have changed the tourism industry. Travel Alberta has also changed the way it supports businesses and promotes our province. We will share our learnings, highlight partner successes, and share our plans for the future of the industry, and how the world sees Alberta. 

The Alto Awards recognize individuals and organizations committed to enriching Alberta’s tourism industry and who by their actions inspire others and demonstrate what can be achieved by working together. The Alto Awards will be presented in nine categories, and to the 2022 Alto Ambassador, at the Alto Awards gala.
Sponsored by WestJet