I've been to many events and found this one to be the most engaged group of people, willing to support, collaborate, and provide genuine support.

Denise Kirk

GBV Resource Collective Inc

I was blown away with the level of vulnerability, insight and learning SVI presented…it was beyond my expectations.

Sherilyn Trompetter

MT Consulting Group

SVI:Alberta is burst of energy! A conference unlike any I've attended—it attracts the makers, the doers, and the dreamers in our community.

Diane Cassidy

Vacant Lots Farm Club

A special gem of an experience…highly recommend!

Adrienne Furrie

Prête Studios

If you are wanting to get inspired, connected, and refreshed then SVI is the place to go.

Adaeze Hubbard

Innovate Calgary

SVI: Alberta was nothing short of transformative. This is a must-attend event for anyone serious about making a sustainable social impact.

Zach Manntai

For The City

What Will You Walk Away With?

Clarity, Calm & Meaningful Connection

Step away from the daily grind and reconnect with your purpose in a setting that blends time in nature, personal reflection, and meaningful community.

A Supportive Network of Peers

Build real relationships with values-aligned entrepreneurs who lead with impact and heart. Expect genuine support, future collaborators, and a sense of not doing this alone anymore.

Fresh Insight & Strategic Breakthroughs

Leave with new ideas, aha moments, and practical tools—thanks to thoughtful facilitation, honest conversations, and the wisdom of fellow changemakers.

Renewed Energy & Motivation

Refuel your drive. You'll return home feeling uplifted, focused, and more confident in the path you're walking as a social impact leader.

Apply Now!

Schedule 2023
‍
2025 Schedule Coming Soon

2:00 pm

A Walk with Rooted Relatives

Join a traditional plant walk along the Saskatchewan river to learn about the deep connections between the Métis people and plant life through traditional knowledge.

4:30 pm

Refreshments and Cocktail Hour

6:00 pm

Evening Session Begins

Welcoming, Introduction to Metis Crossing, Land Acknowledgement and Smudge

7:13 pm

Sunset (Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous)

8:00 pm

True Confessions Session: Tonya Surman, CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation

Tonya Surman is one of Canada’s leading social entrepreneurs. She co-founded and leads the Centre for Social Innovation, a pioneer in coworking and social enterprise that has supported 6,000+ world-changing initiatives. Tonya developed the globally used Constellation Model for multi-stakeholder collaboration, helping ban toxic chemicals in baby bottles and mobilizing 40,000+ Ontario nonprofits into a policy-shaping network. She also created the Community Bond, a groundbreaking social finance tool that has raised $10M to secure $40M in real estate for 900+ social entrepreneurs. Most recently, she helped launch Social Innovation Canada, a national network supporting systems-level changemakers.

Tonya Surman

9:45 pm

Band & Bonfire

Binoculars will be available on the patio to stargaze at night. Bring your instruments to the bonfire!

7:00 am

Candlelit Yoga Before Sunrise

7:40 am

Sunrise

8:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 am

Innovate Calgary Presents: Tips to Perfect your Pitch

Quick, practical tips on how to deliver a compelling pitch—perfect prep for Marketplace of Ideas.

9:30 am

Case Study: Imagination Group (Colby Delorme)

A peer-driven, real-time problem-solving session where an entrepreneur shares a current challenge in their impact business and receives honest, constructive insight from fellow participants to help them move forward.

Colby Delorme

11:00 am

Reflection & Connection

We invite you to take a nap, journal, stretch, take a walk with a new friend, or simply sit in stillness

12:00 pm

Lunch & Learn

1:15 pm

Marketplace of Ideas

A high-energy, 60-second pitch event where participants share bold ideas and invite support from the SVI community.

3:15 pm

Workshops: Sessions 1A—Topic: Measuring What Matters & Telling Stories That Stick

This session helps you pick the right simple tools to measure impact—then guides you in turning those insights into authentic impact stories that deepen trust and drive engagement.

3:15 pm

Workshops: Sessions 1B—Topic: Diving Deeper into Social Procurement

Better position yourself for procurement opportunities with governments, institutions, and other values-aligned buyers. We’ll explore what buyers are really looking for, how to strengthen your social value proposition, and practical ways to stand out in competitive procurement processes.

4:30 pm

Free Time

6:00 pm

Dinner

7:08 pm

Sunset (Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous)

7:30 pm

True Confessions Session: Karina Birch, Owner and CEO of Rocky Mountain Soap Company

Karina Birch is the co-founder of Rocky Mountain Soap Company, a Canadian natural beauty brand known for its commitment to sustainability, simplicity, and community. Since launching the company in 2000 with her husband, Cam Baty, Karina has grown the brand from its roots in Canmore, Alberta, into a purpose-driven business inspired by nature and place.

Karina Birch

9:25 pm

BluPlanet Presents: Failure Wake Bonfire

A place to share what didn’t work, what hurt, and what crashed & burned. No advice, no fixing—just honest storytelling, release, and a reminder that failure is part of the path.

7:00 am

Meditation Session

7:38 am

Sunrise

8:00 am

Breakfast

10:45 am

Case Study: The Marriage Savers Cleaning (Gloria Juarez)

Gloria Juarez

12:00 pm

Checkout of your room

Please be sure to checkout by or before noon

12:15 pm

Lunch

1:15 pm

Workshops: Sessions 2A—Topic: Tools to Attract Investment

Looking to raise money but not sure where to start — or what investors are really looking for? This session will walk you through the key tools and mindsets that help purpose-driven businesses attract aligned capital. You’ll leave with practical tips to help investors say yes.

1:15 pm

Workshops: Sessions 2B—Topic: Business Growth Strategies

2:30 pm

Peer Coaching Circles (Hosted by Mike Rowlands), and Closing Celebration

Mike Rowlands

4:00 pm

Depart ☹️

Speakers

Here are some of the featured speakers.

Karina Birch

Speaker

Karina Birch is the co-owner and CEO of Rocky Mountain Soap Company; a Canadian natural cosmetic brand rooted in purpose and place.

Tonya Surman

Speaker

Tonya Surman is a leading Canadian social entrepreneur and founding CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI). She’s known for creating visionary ideas, collaborative models, and spaces that drive systemic change. Tonya co-developed the Constellation Model and the Community Bond, which has raised over $10M to support social purpose real estate. Under her leadership, CSI has supported 6000+ changemakers. She also founded Social Innovation Canada, uniting innovators nationwide. Tonya is an award-winning leader recognized by Ashoka, the Trillium Foundation, and others.

Colby Delorme

Speaker

Colby Delorme is President of the Imagination Group of Companies and a Métis entrepreneur with experience spanning construction, brand development, marketing, certification, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.

Gloria Juarez

Speaker

Gloria Juarez is the co-founder and owner of The Marriage Savers Cleaning, a family-owned business in Calgary specializing in luxury residential cleaning, post-construction services, chandelier care, and concierge solutions.