SIGNATURE EVENT

Regional Economic Development Summit

REDS is a dynamic marketplace of ideas where academic rigor meets industry hustle, ensuring that our region’s future is built on a foundation of shared knowledge and collective innovation.

October 15, 2026

8:00 am

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3:00 pm

Matrix Hotel, Downtown Edmonton

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About the Event

A collaborative sandbox.

Hosted by the University of Alberta’s Cities Institute and CREDA Edmonton Region, the inaugural Regional Economic Development Summit (REDS) serves as an engaging platform to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world challenges facing commercial real estate and community building. The event is a collaborative sandbox where the University of Alberta’s vast research ecosystem directly intersects with the private sector, municipal leaders, and community changemakers.

REDS is not a passive lecture series. Evolving from the momentum of previous City Building at the U of A Conferences, REDS is a dynamic marketplace of ideas where academic rigor meets industry hustle, ensuring that our region’s future is built on a foundation of shared knowledge and collective innovation.

The Next Economy reflects the emerging conversation topics that will carry our region through the phase of growth ahead. Interactive sessions taking place throughout the day are designed for exchanging ideas through keynote addresses, panel discussions, ‘Living Library’ dialogues with researchers, and shared meals with peer-to-peer networking and cross-pollination opportunities.

Speakers and panelists reflect a range of perspectives from economics, real estate development, urban planning, policy, design and construction, law, business, sustainability, public health, and more.

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Where Research meets Reality

A direct intersection between the University of Alberta's research ecosystem and the private sector, municipal leaders, and community changemakers.

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A Marketplace of Ideas

REDS isn't a lecture series. Expect keynote addresses, panel discussions, Living Library dialogues with researchers, and peer-to-peer networking designed for real exchange.

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The Right People in the Room

200+ participants spanning real estate, urban planning, policy, design, law, sustainability, and public health — the full range of voices shaping Edmonton's next chapter.

Additional Information

Speakers

Atif Mian

Author, Professor and Director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

Catherine Rothrock

Chief Economist, Government of Alberta

Mathieu Laberge

Chief Economist, Senior Vice-President of Housing Insights, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Program at a glance

The full conference program will be shared at a later date.

  • Breakfast: Enjoy a meal with new and familiar connections.
  • Opening Keymote: Atif Mian
  • Session Round 1: Delegate's Choice
  • Session Round 2: Delegate's Choice
  • Lunch: Presentation & opportunity to discuss the morning's learnings with peers.
  • Brief Plenary: Researcher will share relevant findings.
  • Afternoon Keynote: Catherine Rothrock
  • Closing Keynote: Mathieu Leberge

 

Thank you to our Sponsors

Sponsors

The generous support of our sponsors is what makes this event possible year after year. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing the commercial real estate industry and investing in the people and relationships that power it.

Additional Sponsors

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Sponsorship Opportunities

This event is made possible through sponsor support. Sponsorship provides a meaningful opportunity to invest in emerging industry talent while increasing brand visibility and engagement with Edmonton's CRE community.

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