The Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce has been selected to host a FinTech (financial technology) and Technology forum for the Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC).

Right now, Cochrane Chamber executive director Kelly Carson is assisting in putting the pieces together for the one-day forum that will be hosted at the SLS Centre on Sept. 19.

Carson says they're thrilled to be asked to host the forum and that it incorporates similar strategies utilized by the local chamber.

"It's a fact-finding mission and so they're going to find out what the tech industry needs at a forum like this and then they'll lobby to make sure that it's done," explains Carson.

He says attendance is being capped at 100.

"It's by invitation only because we want to get specific people that are industry involved, not somebody just wants to come there and hear what that is. We want their input and we're going to go into breakout groups and things like that. There'll be different topics that go around the room."

He says Cochrane's award-winning chamber has established a solid reputation in recent years. It's known for keeping its ear to the ground in the community to collect and share valuable data, rather than relying on hearsay and social media.

The agenda includes insight into current industry challenges from industry associations and business leaders, a Q&A with provincial and federal government officials, a regional post-secondary leader panel with Q&A, industry-specific data, and discussions on the next steps for advocacy and collaboration.

A comprehensive summary of key insights from the forum will be prepared afterward.

This is just one of six ACC Industry Forums that serve as a hub for in-depth discussion on pressing current issues and fostering collaboration to identify effective solutions. 

To foster sustained economic prosperity, the Alberta Chamber believes it's crucial to engage in action-focused discussions that build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by these industries.

Chamber industry forums

All six forums, informed by ACC’s ongoing market research and substantive roundtables held in 2020-21, provide a platform for open dialogue and exploration of cross-industry priorities.

Being held elsewhere are forums on agriculture, producers and value add ag, logistics, construction and development, manufacturing, and energy.