# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 06 Oct, 2026 at 08:00 am – Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 05:00 pm (-06:00) - **Event Description**: AEFN's annual conference examining equitable employment and recruitment strategies for people with disabilities within Alberta during DEAM!About this EventDEAM IDEA Conference 2026In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN) presents the 5th annual DEAM IDEA Conference β€” a multi-day learning and workforce development experience focused on strengthening inclusive employment practices across Alberta.πŸ“ Hosted this year in Edmonton at Northern Alberta Institute of TechnologyAs workforce pressures continue to grow across sectors, organizations are looking for sustainable ways to attract, retain, and support talent. Inclusive hiring is increasingly recognized as a key driver of workforce stability and organizational strength β€” not only expanding access to skilled talent, but improving retention, team performance, and long-term business resilience.We are thrilled to announce three of our guest speakers:willl be joining us as this year's event MC will be this year's opening keynote speaker will be this year's closing keynote speaker will be facilitating a session titled, "Accessibility for Every Body." will be facilitating a session titled, "Human Rights and the Duty to Accommodate in the Workplace." Susannah Tawse and Kazeem Abolaji will be facilitating their session, "Beyond the Hire: How Mentorship Strengthens Your Talent Pipeline." of facilitating their session, "Inclusive Employment from an Indigenous Perspective."Emma Kieftenbeld and Ryan Marshall from This year’s programming also comes at a pivotal time, with significant changes to disability supports underway. Understanding these shifts, and how they intersect with employment practices, will be essential for organizations planning for the future of their workforce.The DEAM IDEA Conference brings together practical tools, sector insights, and real-world experiences that support stronger recruitment strategies, healthier workplaces, and more sustainable employment outcomes for people experiencing disability and mental health-related barriers.What This Year Focuses OnAcross three days, programming explores the intersection of workforce needs and inclusive employment practices, including:Mentorship approaches that strengthen retention and employee successMental health and navigating workplace changeTalent pipeline development and sustainable recruitment strategiesTapping into opportunity populations to address labour shortagesPrime Contractor requirements and ADAP updates and implicationsPractical approaches to inclusive hiring that strengthen organizational performanceEach session is designed to translate learning into real, actionable workforce strategies that can be applied across sectors and roles.Event ScheduleOctober 6 | Networking Event (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)An evening of connection with employers, HR professionals, community partners, and workforce leaders. A space to share experiences, explore approaches, and build relationships that support inclusive employment practices.October 7 | Full Conference Day (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)A full day of learning and connecting designed for employers to explore practical, actionable approaches to inclusive recruitment and workplace development. Hear from industry leaders, subject matter experts, and lived experience speakers while gaining strategies that support stronger hiring, retention, workplace culture, and long-term workforce success.October 8 | Capacity Building + Job FairMorning: Job seeker capacity-building focused on workplace readiness and confidenceAfternoon: Job fair connecting employers directly with diverse, skilled talentThis final day creates a bridge between learning and action, supporting direct connection between talent and opportunity.Who This Is Event ForEmployers and business ownersHR leaders and hiring managersOperations and team supervisorsEDI, People & Culture, and workforce development professionalsOrganizations focused on strengthening recruitment and retention strategiesWhy It MattersInclusive employment practices are increasingly recognized as a core workforce strategy β€” supporting stronger teams, improved retention, and access to a broader and highly capable talent pool. As labour shortages continue across industries, organizations that expand how they think about talent are gaining a clear advantage.With upcoming changes to disability supports and shifting workforce conditions, understanding inclusive employment practices is becoming even more important for sustainable workforce planning.Registration Deadline for regular ticket sales: September 24th 2026If you are a self advocate or person with a disability who would like to request support with purchasing a ticket to the DEAM IDEA Conference, please email Mariebelle at comms@aefn.ca.CART Captioning and ASL interpretation available, please reach out if you require these accommodations. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/edmonton/2026-deam-idea-conference/100001987060863533 - **Event Categories**: business, conferences, it, health-wellness, job-fairs, mental-health - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 9 hours - Location: NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 60, max: 210, currency: CAD ## Event venue details - **city**: Edmonton - **state**: AB - **country**: Canada - **location**: NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) - **lat**: 53.5680688 - **long**: -113.5016437 - **full address**: NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology), 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, Canada ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/0a042effdbdfa9c2d66347813ef9b87a7c59d56ae37ffa360d19431d54e39f7a-rimg-w1200-h600-dcfdf6e3-gmir.jpg?v=1778933754 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference being held? - **A:** 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference takes place on Tue, 06 Oct, 2026 at 08:00 am to Thu, 08 Oct, 2026 at 05:00 pm at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology), 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, Canada. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference? - **A:** 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference is organized by AEFN. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 2026 DEAM IDEA Conference is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Edmonton, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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