As mentioned last week – the upcoming Inventure$ conference, in Calgary May 29-31, has been growing annually, and is well on its way to attracting over 4,000 attendees!  

This means alot – as every region that has a significant commitment to innovation, holds a major annual innovation and entrepreneurship conference – as seen from coast-to-coast, including: Ontario, Quebec, and B.C. By Alberta joining these ranks – it shows our commitment to Innovation and to our entrepreneurs  It is alot of hard work, but our entrepreneurs and our province’s future, is worth it.

The value of these conferences? While “Impact Reports” are available – they are often limited by traditional conference business metrics of closing deals in the short-term, while in this case the SROI (Social Return on Investment) is much more transformative and future forward. Measuring how we support entrepreneurs – and how much they feel valued is challenging, but entrepreneurs “speak with their feet” in that if they don’t see the value, they will not invest their valuable time and will ‘grow their business elsewhere’. Perhaps the value is best summed up by savvy entrepreneurs like Spectracannwinner of this year’s local“New Startup-of-the-year” People’s Choice awards  – who has stated “Events like Inventure$ (May) and the ASTech Awards (November) saves entrepreneurs months of time in the growth cycle of their businesses.” Leyla went on to explain that she is able to connect and develop relationships with the many, many attending innovation system champions and decision-makers in a very short period of time, building up her knowledge and networks – and in an environment where these connections are not only accessible, but are coming together with a focus to help local entrepreneurs advance the growth of their businesses. “I moved my business to Alberta – because of the people, and the thriving innovation ecosystem”.

Entrepreneurs are on a race against time to get their innovations to market before others, while always addressing costs.  Therefore when entrepreneurs go to an event – they are ‘speaking with their feet’ and stating that the event has value.. as they are spending both their time and money, and paying with an opportunity cost.  Inventure$ is attracting more entrepreneurs than ever before, and is an important part of the innovation ecosystem that is keeping entrepreneurs – and their champions – here in Alberta.

Be sure to Register soon everyone, and see you there!

Gail
Gail J. Powley, P.Eng
President, Technology Alberta