Business Link Alberta

Supporting newcomers starts with meaningful conversations.

Abdalla and David recently attended the Newcomer Education and Training Fair, hosted by the Language Assessment, Referral, and Counselling Centre (LARCC) at Catholic Social Services.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore education, training, employment and community resources while connecting directly with local service providers.

Through the fair, our team was able to share our free services and resources with aspiring entrepreneurs and connect them with support for their next steps in Alberta.

AI can help small business owners simplify tasks, organize information, support content creation and more.

Isabel from our client services team attended Exmerce Barter Inc. Fireside Experts, a networking and panelist session that explored how computers, information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping modern business.

The conversation featured Matt Hunter of Huntertech, Agnes Goh of AI-Celerates Business and Rob Lucas of Dell Technologies, who shared practical guidance on using AI tools safely, strategically and in ways that support business goals.

The event was a valuable opportunity to connect with local professionals, hear from industry experts and bring back timely insights for Alberta entrepreneurs.

Cindy and Nadine had a great time representing Business Link Alberta at Purchase with Purpose, a sustainable procurement networking event hosted by the of Edmonton - Local Government, one of our ecosystem partners.

The event brought together approximately 150 attendees, including public purchasing organizations, local businesses, service providers, Indigenous and diverse-owned suppliers, social enterprises, and community partners to build connections and explore opportunities to sell to the public sector and other buyers in the Edmonton area.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to connect and learn more about how we support entrepreneurs across Alberta!

We’re grateful to the Town of Stony Plain for inviting our Client Services Managers, Abdalla and David, to represent Business Link Alberta at the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Action Planning Workshop.

The collaborative session brought together local businesses, support partners, town staff and members of the Town’s Growth and Commerce Committee to review insights from the BR+E survey and identify practical actions to support local business success over the next few years.

Abdalla and David shared front-line insights from their experience supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across Alberta, contributing to discussions on business priorities, challenges, opportunities for collaboration and achievable actions.

Need support with your marketing?

Our Digital Marketing Program helps Alberta small businesses build confidence online with guidance on websites, SEO, Google Business Profile, social media strategy, and more.

Start with a free one-on-one meeting today: https://businesslink.ca/services/digital-marketing-program/

Celebrating leadership and resilience in Medicine Hat.

Our Operations Strategist, Trina, attended the Inspire Award Luncheon hosted by the Women in Business - Medicine Hat & Region. The event recognized outstanding nominees and brought together community partners, entrepreneurs, and local leaders who are helping strengthen the business ecosystem.

The luncheon provided an opportunity to connect with valued partners including Tracy Stroud with APEX, Stephanie Sutton with National Research Council Canada, Lisa Galecki with the City of Medicine Hat, Amber Smith with Community Futures, Sandy Schuck with Community Futures Entre-Corp Business Development, and Joleine Martineau with APEX Southeast Alberta .

Every entrepreneur should have the opportunity to access the support, resources and connections they need to start and grow with confidence.

Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity, resilience and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including the entrepreneurs, creators and business owners helping shape Alberta’s economy and communities.

Our latest resource highlights funding opportunities, mentorship and community connections available to 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in Alberta, along with ways businesses can continue building more inclusive environments.

Read more: https://businesslink.ca/supporting-2slgbtqi-entrepreneurs-in-alberta-resources-funding-and-community-connections/

Our Digital Marketing Strategist, Gillian, explored the Lilac Festival to connect with local businesses and entrepreneurs.

She visited Modern Whisk GF, a client in our Digital Marketing Program, and saw their efforts come to life. From booth setup to product display planning, their presence highlighted the dedication and behind-the-scenes effort entrepreneurs bring to community events.

The festival was supported by a variety of sponsors, including two of our valued ecosystem partners: the City of Calgary – Your Local Government and TD .

Did your business take part this year? Whether you’re looking for support with digital marketing, market research, or business growth, we can help.

Book a meeting with us today: https://businesslink.ca/book-a-meeting/

Have an idea for a business, but not sure where to begin?

Join us next week on Thursday, June 18 at 12 p.m. for Get Your First Customers, part of our Small Business Fundamentals webinar series.

Led by Matt Hill, Director of Client Services and Operations at Business Link Alberta, this practical session will teach you how to identify the problem your business solves, define what makes your offer valuable, and test your idea through practical market research.

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/get-your-first-customers-tickets-1990130853957?aff=facebook

Our team member Robyn attended the Indigenous Women in Leadership Forum in Calgary, hosted by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB).

The forum brought together Indigenous women leaders, entrepreneurs, speakers, and community builders, including Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of CCIB; Dr. Marie Delorme, CEO of Imagination Group; Shana Lonechild; Farrah Bourque with Bird; Delree Dumont with Delree Native Art Gallery; Melrene Saloy-Eagle Speaker with Authentically Curated; Sarah Jacknife with Jacknife Consulting; Annie Korver with Rise Consulting; Loretta Tuttuak with Loretta’s Wellness Circle; Stephanie Gamble with Indian Investment Corp; Nicole Robertson with Muskwa Productions; Tara Brown, Director of Cando; Ashley Michel, Owner of 4 Generations Creations; and many more.

It was inspiring to hear powerful stories of resilience, innovation, leadership, and community impact. Events like this are a strong reminder of what is possible when women come together to share knowledge, build relationships, and support one another’s success.