01
Lead the Business
Strengthen leadership, delegation and accountability so your business can grow beyond relying on you for every answer.
Presented by
St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce
Registration Open
October 23–24, 2026 · St. Paul, Alberta
Business Summit
Two days to work on what’s next for your business.
Join keynote speaker Eugene Labant of Xtreme Oilfield, explore practical breakout sessions and build a focused 90-day action plan for your business.
Friday & Saturday · October 23–24
Portage College · St. Paul Campus
The Summit starts in
Friday, October 23 · Doors 7:30 a.m. · Welcome 8:30 a.m. Alberta time
One-day, two-day and VIP options. Chamber members and non-members welcome.
Leadership that builds
Teams that take ownership
Conversations that matter
Funding and opportunity
Protecting your business
Your next 90 days
Built for business
Ideas are good. Execution is better.
This summit is being built for business owners and leaders who want practical answers—not another day of generic presentations.
Across two focused days, attendees will hear from experienced business leaders, explore real challenges through breakout sessions and leave with ideas they can put to work in their organizations. The summit will welcome participants from the Lakeland and across Western Canada.
02
Build the Team
Develop employees, understand team strengths and improve workplace culture, communication, retention and wellbeing.
03
Protect & Develop
Explore funding, tax responsibilities, legal fundamentals, regional opportunities and practical ways to protect your business.
04
Execute What’s Next
Bring your strongest takeaways together into a focused 90-day action plan with clear priorities, owners, deadlines and accountability.
Main Stage Speakers
Breakout Sessions
Business Exhibitors
Networking
VIP Experience
Main Stage
Featured Keynote
Confirmed Speaker
St. Paul Business Summit · 2026
EL
President · Keynote Speaker
Eugene Labant
Xtreme Oilfield Technology Ltd.
Eugene leads a St. Paul-based company that has grown from a small fleet into an oilfield service operation working across Alberta, northeastern British Columbia and western Saskatchewan. He brings a firsthand business perspective shaped by growth, leadership, industry change and building from within the region.
Keynote Address
Retention Strategies for Rural Businesses
St. Paul Based
Operating Since 2000
Serving Western Canada
Confirmed Program & Presenters
Practical experience.
Real-world answers.
Meet the business owners, professional advisors and regional experts bringing practical strategies to the St. Paul Business Summit. Explore the sessions below and open the available speaker bios to learn more.
01
Leadership & Growth
From Technician to Business Owner: Stop Fixing Everything Yourself
Remove owner bottlenecks and build the leadership, accountability and systems needed to create a stronger business and team.
James McGonigal
Whitecloud Mechanical & Whitecloud Solutions
Confirmed
02
Business Management
Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
Explore the systems, delegation and management disciplines needed to move beyond daily firefighting and lead the business forward.
James McGonigal
Whitecloud Mechanical & Whitecloud Solutions
Confirmed
03
Employee Development
Grow Your Own: Developing Employees into Future Leaders
Develop the people you already have through practical coaching, clearer expectations and opportunities to take on greater responsibility.
Penny Nilsen
Nilsen Business Coaching & Consulting
Confirmed
04
Leadership & Teamwork
Working Genius
Explore how different people contribute to getting work done, understand your team’s strengths and identify opportunities to work together more effectively.
Troy Seimers
Confirmed
05
Workplace Communication
The Conversations We Avoid: Handling Difficult Workplace Discussions
Approach uncomfortable workplace conversations with greater clarity, respect and accountability.
Jesse McGonigal
Whitecloud Solutions
Confirmed
06
Funding & Entrepreneurship
Funding & Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Opportunities
Explore funding and innovation resources that can help entrepreneurs develop ideas and identify opportunities for business growth.
Matt Peck
Alberta Innovates
Confirmed
07
Workforce Intelligence
Regional Workforce Intelligence & Resources
Access regional labour-market information, workforce insights and government resources that support better hiring and planning decisions.
Serena Sjodin
Government of Alberta
Confirmed
08
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits That Work: Supporting Your People & Strengthening Your Business
Learn how benefit programs can support employees, improve retention and provide sustainable value for businesses of different sizes.
Shalaine Tuleck
Excalibur Executive Planning
Confirmed
09
Tax Essentials
Tax Essentials for Small Business: Understanding Your CRA Obligations
Better understand CRA responsibilities, available resources and practical tools that help businesses stay informed and compliant.
Aman Vohra
CRA Liaison Officer Service
Confirmed
10
Legal Fundamentals
Legal Fundamentals for Business
Better understand the legal responsibilities, risks and foundational decisions that growing businesses need to manage.
Caeleigh Morrow
Morrow Tchir LLP
Confirmed
11
Workplace Wellness
Workplace Wellness: Building Healthier, Stronger & More Productive Teams
Examine the connection between personal health, energy, resilience and sustainable workplace performance.
Ty Smereka
Optimal Wellness
Confirmed
12
Community Safety Series
Crime Reduction & Community Safety
A practical series covering CPTED crime-prevention principles, emergency planning and de-escalation strategies for safer businesses and communities.
Celeste Besmiller · Sgt. Pierre St-Cyr
· S/Sgt. Luke Halvorson
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Confirmed
13
Workforce Culture
Five Generations at Work
Explore how different generations approach work, challenge assumptions and build more understanding across your team.
Bev Lockett
Leadership & Organizational Development
Confirmed
14
Employee Development
How to Upskill, Reskill and Grow the Team You Already Have
Explore micro-credentials and practical training opportunities that help employees develop new skills and support the changing needs of your business.
Jason Mestinsek
Portage College
Confirmed
15
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Workplace Burnout and Mental Health Awareness
Build awareness of workplace burnout and mental health, and explore how leaders can support healthier, more sustainable working environments.
Lloyanne Galas
Yaremko-Galas Counselling
Confirmed
16
Culture & Communication
Working Across Cultures: Communication That Builds Understanding
Explore how cultural awareness and thoughtful communication can strengthen understanding, working relationships and collaboration across your team.
Doris Pondrich
EARVSS
Confirmed
17
Regional Opportunity
Connecting Our Agrifood Economy: Creating Opportunities Close to Home
Explore opportunities for connection, collaboration and business development within our regional agriculture and food economy.
Penny Fox
Connect for Food
Confirmed
Plan your two days.
See the Full Schedule
Explore the schedule to choose your breakout sessions. Program details and room assignments are subject to change.
James McGonigal is a shop owner and founder of Whitecloud Solutions, where he helps shop and trades business owners build businesses that stop depending on them for everything.
Drawing on more than a decade of shop ownership and his training as a Certified 10X Business Coach, James focuses on clearer numbers, stronger teams, practical systems, and accountability—so owners can spend their time where they choose, not wherever the next fire sends them.
Penny Nilsen, M.Ed.
Founder, Nilsen Business Coaching & Consulting |
Certified 10X Business Coach
Your next great leader may already be on your payroll. The question is: Are you developing them—or doing all their thinking for them?
Penny Nilsen helps business owners work less by teaching their teams to do more.
With over 15 years of experience in adult education, leadership, and facilitation, a Master of Education, and certification as a 10X Business Coach, Penny brings practical, real-world strategies that help employees take ownership, make decisions, and become accountable leaders.
In her session, Grow Your Own: Developing Employees into Future Leaders, Penny challenges business owners and managers to stop being the answer to every question and start developing the leadership potential already within their teams.
Because the best way to grow your business may be to grow the people you already have.
David spent half of his career in Alberta and half in Newfoundland & Labrador. He has served as a Teacher, School Principal, Director (CEO) of Education, Superintendent (CEO) of Schools, and Executive Director (CEO) of Child & Family Services.
In addition, he has served as a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, and has given workshops at local, provincial and national events.
David’s educational background includes three degrees (B.A., B.Ed., and M.Ed.) from Memorial University and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the University of Toronto.
He is the recipient of two provincial awards—one for educational leadership (NL) and one for excellence in school planning (AB).
Caeleigh grew up on an elk and grain farm near Turtleford, Saskatchewan. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce in 2007, and her Bachelor of Laws in 2011, both at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
After graduating from law school, Caeleigh completed a clerkship with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Caeleigh was called to the Alberta bar in 2012, and practiced with a mid-sized firm based out of Edmonton for several years. Caeleigh is now with Morrow Tchir LLP in St. Paul and has been practicing law for 15 years.
Caeleigh mainly works in the areas of real estate law, financing, business and corporate law, Wills and estate planning, farm transition planning and estate administration.
Caeleigh particularly enjoys advising small and medium sized businesses throughout the entire life cycle of a business, from start up and choosing a business structure, to managing growth, assisting with mergers and acquisitions, and all the way through to the ultimate sale of a business or transition to a new ownership group.
When she is not working, Caeleigh enjoys chasing her three young boys around her acreage, walking her dogs, tending to her chickens, gardening and spending time at the lake.
Bev has spent her career working with people, leading teams, developing leaders, and figuring out why something that makes perfect sense to one person can leave another wondering, “What on earth were they thinking?”
With a background in leadership, organizational development, consulting, and executive coaching, Beverly has worked with everyone from enthusiastic newcomers to seasoned professionals who have seen every management trend come and go—sometimes more than once.
As a senior advisor, Bev knows that managing people isn’t nearly as straightforward as the leadership textbooks would have you believe. And when five generations share one workplace, things can get especially interesting.
Bev brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to leadership, combining research, real-world experience, and a healthy sense of humour. She believes the best workplace conversations happen when people can laugh, challenge their assumptions, and walk away with something they can actually use.
Her goal? To make leadership a little less complicated, workplaces a little more human, and Monday mornings a little less painful.
Aman Vohra is a Liaison Officer with the Canada Revenue Agency and has been with the CRA for nearly 10 years.
For the past five years, Aman has been providing free educational services and tax guidance to small businesses and self-employed individuals.
Jesse McGonigal brings executive leadership experience across healthcare and community services in rural Alberta. She is currently CEO of the Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society (EARVSS). Her background also includes leading the North Zone Primary Care Networks and bridging services within the public and private sector.
With over 22 years of leadership and senior management, Jesse brings a strong business acumen, but her focus on team dynamics and culture is where she truly shines.
Drawing on her experience leading teams through growth and change, Jesse will present “The Conversations We Avoid: Handling Difficult Workplace Discussions,” exploring how leaders can approach uncomfortable conversations with greater clarity, respect and accountability.
October 23–24 · St. Paul
Make time for a stronger business.
Join us at Portage College’s St. Paul campus. Choose the complete two-day Summit, a one-day pass or the full VIP experience. Chamber members and non-members are welcome.
Best Value · Both Days
Two-Day Summit Pass
Give yourself both days to learn, connect and develop your next steps—with access to the full Summit program.
Chamber Member
$147
Non-Member
$175
- Friday and Saturday Summit access
- Main-stage presentations
- Choice of breakout sessions
- Business exhibitor access
- Networking across both days
- 90-day action planning
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 21
Choose Friday or Saturday
One-Day Summit Pass
Can only make one day? Choose Friday or Saturday. The two-day pass is just $50 more.
Chamber Member
$97
Non-Member
$125
- Friday OR Saturday Summit access
- Main-stage programming on your selected day
- Breakout sessions on your selected day
- Business exhibitor access on your selected day
- Networking on your selected day
- Upgrade your experience by choosing both days
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 21
Chamber members: sign into your Chamber account before completing your purchase to receive member pricing. GST is added at checkout; processing fees are included. Tickets may be transferred and are non-refundable unless the entire event is cancelled.
Already added tickets? Open your Chamber cart to finish your registration.
Open Cart & CheckoutOne-Day Summit Pass
Which day can you join us?
Choose your day below. Speakers, sessions and final timings will be published as the program is finalized. A one-day pass covers programming on your selected day only.
Your day includes
What you’ll miss
Just $50 more gets you both days:
$147 for Chamber members or $175 for non-members,
plus GST. Choose the two-day pass for access
to the complete Summit program.
Continue to checkout.
Open the secure Chamber checkout to review your cart and complete payment. Check that the correct pass and quantity are shown. Chamber members should sign in to receive member pricing.
Summit Partners
Backing better
business.
The St. Paul Business Summit is made possible through the support of organizations committed to stronger businesses, stronger leaders and a stronger regional economy.
Official Lunch Sponsor
Oil Sands Alliance
Thank you to Oil Sands Alliance for supporting the conversations, connections and practical learning taking place during the 2026 St. Paul Business Summit.
Visit Oil Sands Alliance
Event & Program Partners
Put your organization in the room.
Additional sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available.
View Opportunities
Trade Show & Partnerships
Put your business in the room.
Showcase your business, support regional growth and connect directly with the owners, leaders and professionals attending the St. Paul Business Summit.
01 · EXHIBIT
Join the Trade Show
Put your products, services and expertise in front of Summit attendees. Choose one day or build stronger visibility by exhibiting for the complete two-day event.
Best Exposure
Both Days
Chamber Member
$300
Non-Member
$375
Exhibit Friday and Saturday for the strongest visibility, more conversations and two full days of business connections.
Select whether electrical power is required during registration.
Choose Both-Day BoothFriday Only
Friday Booth
Chamber Member
$200
Non-Member
$250
Exhibit during Friday’s Summit programming, networking periods and scheduled breaks.
Select whether electrical power is required during registration.
Choose Friday BoothSaturday Only
Saturday Booth
Chamber Member
$200
Non-Member
$250
Exhibit during Saturday’s Summit programming, networking periods and scheduled breaks.
Select whether electrical power is required during registration.
Choose Saturday Booth
Chamber members must sign into their Chamber account to receive member
exhibitor pricing. Booth registration is completed securely through
the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce.
02 · SPONSOR
Partner With the Summit
Choose a partnership that puts your organization alongside the people, conversations and experiences strengthening business throughout our region.
VIP Experience Partner $2,000
Premium recognition connected to the limited Friday evening VIP experience.
- Two complete two-day Summit passes
- Logo recognition on the Summit website
- Individual social-media recognition
- Big-screen and event-signage recognition
- Verbal and post-event recognition
Lunch Partner $1,500
Place your business front and centre during one of the Summit’s key networking opportunities.
- Two complete Summit passes
- Recognition throughout the sponsored lunch
- Website, big-screen and social recognition
- Event signage and verbal acknowledgement
Choose Friday Lunch or Saturday Lunch during registration.
Breakfast Partner $750
Help begin the day with business connections, learning and collaboration.
- Two complete Summit passes
- Recognition during the sponsored breakfast
- Website, big-screen and social recognition
- Event signage and verbal acknowledgement
Choose Friday Breakfast or Saturday Breakfast during registration.
Facility Partner $1,000
Help create the professional and welcoming space where business learning and connections happen.
- Two complete Summit passes
- Prominent Facility Partner recognition
- Website, big-screen and social recognition
- Event signage and verbal acknowledgement
Registration Partner $750
Be one of the first brands attendees see as they arrive and begin their Summit experience.
- One complete Summit pass
- Prominent registration-area recognition
- Big-screen, social and event-signage recognition
- Verbal and post-event acknowledgement
Indicate whether you can assist with guest registration.
Trade Show Partner $750
Put your organization at the centre of the Summit’s business-to-business connections.
- One complete Summit pass
- Prominent Trade Show recognition
- Big-screen, social and event-signage recognition
- Verbal and post-event acknowledgement
Session Partner $200
Connect your brand with a specific professional-development session that matters to today’s employers and business leaders.
- One complete Summit pass
- Recognition connected to the selected session
- Big-screen, social and session-signage recognition
- Verbal and post-event acknowledgement
Choose your available sponsored session during registration.
Coffee & Refreshment Partner From $300
Help attendees recharge while keeping conversations and connections moving between sessions.
- One complete Summit pass
- Recognition in the refreshment area
- Big-screen, social and event-signage recognition
- Verbal and post-event acknowledgement
Choose Friday, Saturday or both days during registration.
Community Supporter $100
Show your commitment to regional business development and help bring valuable learning and resources closer to home.
- Business name or logo on the big screen
- Recognition during the Summit
- Post-event recognition
Door Prize Partner Prize Contribution
Contribute a product, service or gift certificate to be awarded to a Summit attendee.
- Recognition when your prize is awarded
- Business name or logo on the big screen
- Post-event recognition
Choose Chamber-office delivery or prize pickup during registration.
The Chamber registration page will open at the sponsorship area.
Expand “Sponsorships,” choose your package and complete any required
package selection before adding it to your cart.
Questions before registering? Email [email protected]