Power Up North conference returns to Lac La Biche Oct. 8-10
LAC LA BICHE - A conference to help local business and to attract new ones is returning to Lac La Biche in October, and organizers want the community to get ready.
Power Up North, an annual conference designed to support and inspire rural entrepreneurs and businesses in Northeast Alberta, is set to take place from Oct. 8-10 at the Portage College Lac La Biche campus.
The three-day conference is being presented by Community Futures Lac La Biche.
Suavek Bartosinski, the executive director of Community Futures Lac La Biche, stated that Power Up North aims to assist local businesses not only by strengthening their presence in the local community, but also by attracting commerce from outside of the town.
"By providing ways to showcase local businesses, offering networking opportunities, and providing resources and insights for business growth, Power Up North helps businesses reach a broader audience, including potential customers and partners from neighbouring regions," Bartosinski told . "This contributes to increased visibility, more opportunities for expansion, and a stronger local economy through external commerce.
Power Up North, Bartosinski continued, is important because it supports and inspires rural entrepreneurs and businesses by providing access to expert knowledge, practical skills, and networking opportunities.
"It is particularly important for entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners who may not have regular access to such resources," he said. "The conference offers valuable advice and knowledge to help attendees gain more success in their ventures."
Those who do attend this year's Power Up North conference in Lac La Biche will have the opportunity to listen to a diverse lineup of speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and network with others.
Guest speakers at this year's event include experts in leadership, finance and economic development.
Jennifer Barroll is a communicator and leadership trainer who has worked with such as Danone and Shell. Diana Noble is an entrepreneur and ICF-certified business coach. Brad Kotowich is the owner and principal of Focused Leadership Group Ltd. and Angus Watt is a senior wealth advisor at National Bank Financial Wealth Management.
Topics for discussions over the three-day event include innovative hiring strategies, transforming workplace culture to boost productivity and brand presence in a competitive market.These topics, Bartosinski said, will provide practical skills and knowledge that can help business owners and entrepreneurs enhance their operations, improve team performance, and strengthen their market position.
He went on to say that Power Up North has been hosted by various Community Futures offices across Northern Alberta since 2018. The first two conferences took place in Lac La Biche. Following conferences were hosted in St. Paul, Smoky Lake, Athabasca and Cold Lake.
"Now, the torch has returned to us at Community Futures Lac La Biche, and we are excited to lead this impactful event once again, bringing together local businesses and fostering economic growth in our region," he said.
The Power Up North conference will see trade show events featuring businesses from across the region and beyond, keynote presentation, workshops and lots of networking. Local business representatives and all members of the community are welcome to take part.
