The Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) put on its annual conference on Thursday (Sept. 14).
Over a thousand industry heads, local officials, special guests, and media members packed the Edmonton Convention Centre to network and discuss some of the latest developments in the area.
Premier Danielle Smith was even on hand.
“Alberta is Canada’s leading and most reliable economic engine,” said Smith. “The industrial heartland is at the core of our robust economy.
“AIHA estimates growth to reach $30 billion in the next 10 years resulting in an additional 90,000 direct and indirect jobs.”
This year’s theme for the conference was ‘fostering growth’, something that AIHA executive director Mark Plamondon is very passionate about.
“Our laser focus on investment attraction and building our region to support our 2030 goal of $70 billion in cumulative investments is in our sights,” said Plamondon. “I’m confident our robust business strategy will get us there.
The event also included local mayors from Fort Saskatchewan, Strathcona County, Bruderheim, Gibbons, Redwater, and Edmonton.
Dave Diduck, the Lamont County Reeve and the chair of the AIHA was also on hand.
“From Pembina’s $460 million propane-plus fractionator announcement to Inter Pipeline producing their first polypropylene pellets at their Heartland Petrochemical Complex, it’s clear the Industrial Heartland is growing,” said Diduck.
“With numerous projects being studied in the region and memorandum of agreements announced, our $45 billion region is projected to reach new highs.”
The conference’s keynote speaker was Arlene Dickinson, a Canadian entrepreneur that most would recognize from the reality TV show ‘Dragons Den’.
From growing investments to exciting new projects, it was an event that was able to facilitate new industry connections within the area.
For more information about the AIHA, click here.
