2026 CAFAD Conference
Dates: October 14th, 15th, and 16th 2026
Theme: “Creative Campus, Thriving City: Higher Education and Urban Economic Futures”
*see registration form below*
2026 CAFAD conference will be held October 14th – 16th and will be held at MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB! Theme is “Creative Campus, Thriving City: Higher Education and Urban Economic Futures”
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held during this conference, and as always, it’s an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, and create wonderful, new relationships and memories!
Where: MacEwan University (Edmonton, AB).
Early bird conference pricing closes September 1st, 2026
2026 Conference Itinerary – Draft
Optional: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 (mtn time)
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: CAFAD Informal Reception (MacEwan University)
Day 1 – Thursday, October 15th, 2026
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Conference Opening at MacEwan
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Break
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Session 1 with Keynote Speaker (tbd)
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Senior Leadership Award
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Catered Lunch on Campus
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Economic deep dive workshop with guest
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Break
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Arts impact workshop with Natalie Alvarez
TBA – Optional Dinner (sign up below)
Day 2 – Friday, October 16th, 2026
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM: Community of practice session (Annie Gérin, Celeste Martin, and T. Patrick Carrabré)
- Compassionate leadership, change management, budget challenges – how do we show up as leaders during these times?
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Burning Issues Session (David Dick)
12:00 PM: End of Conference
- Boxed lunch available (if requested in below form)
1:00 PM – Optional tour of MacEwan University facilities