Not Your Average Business Conference: Social Venture Institute (SVI)—Alberta

Toward the end of this year's Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta — Calgary Edition, I checked in with a participant I had encouraged to attend for the first time.

"What did you think?" I asked.

"It was amazing," she replied without hesitation.

As one of the hosts, I was quite pleased with this response. This year's gathering marked the first time we hosted SVI: Alberta in Calgary, and that excitement captured exactly what we had hoped to achieve.

The idea for SVI: Alberta began almost 10 years ago after several Alberta social enterprise leaders, including myself and other Momentum team members, attended SVI at Hollyhock on British Columbia's west coast. We were inspired by the unique combination of peer learning and meaningful relationship-building at SVI, which is Canada’s longest-running social enterprise gathering that the Hollyhock Institute has offered for over 30 years. We also realized Alberta was missing this type of gathering that enables social venture leaders to learn from each other in an intentional peer learning environment.

Since then, Momentum, along with Hollyhock and our local partners, has hosted SVI: Alberta six times, most often at Métis Crossing. This year's Calgary gathering brought nearly 100 social entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, and community builders together at Ralph Klein Park, one of Calgary's hidden gems. For most participants, it was their first visit to the park and their first experience with SVI: Alberta.

Our goal has always been simple — to support the growth of Alberta's social venture ecosystem.

At Momentum, we believe social ventures are an important part of creating an economy that works better for everyone. Whether structured as non-profits or for-profit businesses, social ventures use business tools to create positive social impact.

That spirit of shared learning was evident throughout the gathering this year.

One highlight was hearing from our two True Confessions speakers, Holly Singer of Milk Jar and Käthe Lemon of Red Point Media, which produces Avenue Magazine. True Confessions is a signature SVI experience where leaders openly share the challenges, failures, and lessons that shaped their business journeys. Both Holly and Käthe were honest and vulnerable in sharing their inspiring stories with all the SVI: Alberta attendees.

Another powerful learning opportunity came through our case study featuring Ethnicity Catering, a social enterprise operated by the Centre for Newcomers. A panel of business leaders and the room of attendees shared wisdom to help the enterprise strengthen its financial sustainability while advancing its mission. After the event, a member of the Centre for Newcomers team shared with me that the "feedback was great and the advice will inform how we proceed."

One of my favourite parts of every SVI: Alberta gathering is the Peer Coaching Circles. Participants bring a business challenge or opportunity to a small group and receive advice, encouragement, and fresh perspectives from their peers. It is a simple but important reminder that every participant has wisdom to contribute. Through facilitating a Peer Coaching Circle, I learned more about local ventures such as SunnyCider and Parish Coffee, which are creating such positive impact in our community. Did you know that SunnyCider uses Calgary fruit to make its local cider, which also reduces fruit going to our landfill? Parish Coffee is an innovative mobile coffee business that employs women who need a hand up in our city.

A particularly meaningful highlight for me was seeing so many Momentum graduates participate.

Some were seasoned entrepreneurs, and others were just beginning their journeys. They included James, a Self Employment graduate from more than 13 years ago who now owns a medical supply business, and Karen, a more recent grad who owns a chair yoga business and led participants through a seated yoga session to start the second day. Kunbi, another Momentum graduate and the entrepreneur behind Ahinke Kitchen and Open Kitchen YYC, seemed to be everywhere throughout SVI: Alberta. She actively participated in various sessions, her business catered the coffee and tea service, and she shared valuable insights as a restaurant owner with the Ethnicity Catering team during the case study session.

The first-ever SVI: Alberta in Calgary was a success. Participants were highly engaged and appreciated the opportunity to build new relationships and learn from one another. The evaluation survey affirmed the positive energy of the gathering, with most reporting high levels of satisfaction. As one participant shared: "Loved the experience. It felt so intentional in flow."

That intentionality is exactly what SVI: Alberta strives to create — space for meaningful connections and shared learning that strengthens both individual organizations and the broader social venture ecosystem.

If you work at a social enterprise, whether through a non-profit organization or a purpose-driven business, I encourage you to consider joining us for the next SVI: Alberta gathering at Métis Crossing in fall 2027.

Beyond being a stunning destination, Métis Crossing is itself an inspiring social enterprise owned and operated by the Métis Nation of Alberta. It is the kind of place that reminds us how business, culture, and social impact can come together in powerful ways.

As an added bonus, next year's gathering takes place just before the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair, which includes the legendary giant pumpkin drop that inspired many of this year's pumpkin-themed decorations.

The setting is remarkable. The conversations are meaningful. And, as I was reminded this year in Calgary, the experience can be pretty amazing.

If you’re interested, you can make a deposit for SVI: Alberta 2027 and receive a 25 per cent discount on the price.

Thank You

SVI: Alberta — Calgary Edition would not have been possible without the support of our partners, sponsors, speakers, facilitators, volunteers, and participants. We also thank Elder Art Cunningham who shared remarks and participated as a one-on-one advisor for attendees. Thank you for helping build a stronger social venture community in Alberta and for contributing your ideas, experience, and generosity to this year's gathering.