Regional Economic Development Summit (REDS)

Hosted by the University of Alberta’s Cities Institute and CREDA Edmonton , 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. REDS anticipates 200+ participants including researchers, development and real estate industry professionals, policymakers, non-profit leaders, funders, and thought leaders that contribute to a range of city building activity in the Edmonton area.

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.

Schedule and program

Opening Keynote

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

Panel Sessions Round 1 (choose 1)

1A: Data Centre Development: Land, Power and Regulatory Readiness

A full ecosystem conversation on Data Center investment including the regulatory process and power generation.

• Matt Sexton: META Community Engagement Manager
• Mark Morrissey: Director, Economic Innovation and Growth, Sturgeon County
• Lyndsey Rolheiser: York University
• Andrew Leach: University of Alberta

1B: AI and the Future of Construction Exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping construction, permitting, project delivery and the future workforce.

• Meghna Singh: CEO, BuildBase
• Mike Kluh: Director of Department Strategy, Urban Planning & Economy, City of Edmonton
• Marius Veldtman: President, Praxa Projects

1C: Living Library - Round table discussions with researchers supported by Alberta Real Estate Foundation

• Battling Inflation & its Ripple Effects: The Impact of High Interest Rates on Alberta's Real Estate Market Project
  • Brent Swallow Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology at University of Alberta
• Enabling Housing Choice North Project
  • Rural Development Network
• Return-On-Investment Urban Modelling Pilot Project
  • Alberto de Salvatierra, Associate Dean + Associate Professor of Urbanism and Data in Architecture, University of Calgary / School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

Panel Sessions Round 2 (choose 1)

2A: The Growth Equation: Density, Workforce & Economic Opportunity With rapidly evolving demographics, streetscapes, and infrastructure that bridges new and old residents together, this session offers an academic lens on urban challenges and their solutions.

• James Macek: Assistant Professor, Alberta School of Business.
  • Research perspective: gentrification in Chicago, historical parcels in Toronto
• Tianran Dai: Adjunct Professor, Alberta School of Business.
  • Research perspective: ethnic neighbourhoods and gentrification using US census
• Nathan Schiff: Associate Professor, Alberta School of Business.
  • Research perspective: restaurants and population density, how restaurants compete
• Jay Hyun: Assistant Professor, Alberta School of Business.
  • Research perspective: what sudden bridge collapses reveal about the economic value of infrastructure
• Adil Kodian: President and COO, Rohit Group

2B: Investing in the Region’s Future: How Policy, Infrastructure and Market Conditions Shape Investment Decisions

Exploring the factors influencing investment and development decisions across the region. The discussion will focus on the intersection of policy, development economics and capital deployment.

• Scott Argent: Vice President, Regional Leader, Prairies & Territories, Stantec
• Raka Josan: President & CEO, Josan Properties
• Mike Saunders: Senior Vice President, Qualico Properties
• Jeremy Deeks: Senior Vice President, CBRE

2C: Living Library - Round table discussions with researchers supported by Alberta Real Estate Foundation

• Battling Inflation & its Ripple Effects: The Impact of High Interest Rates on Alberta's Real Estate Market Project
  • Brent Swallow Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology at University of Alberta
• Enabling Housing Choice North Project
  • Rural Development Network
• Return-On-Investment Urban Modelling Pilot Project
  • Alberto de Salvatierra, Associate Dean + Associate Professor of Urbanism and Data in Architecture, University of Calgary / School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

Lunch + Presentation

Opportunities and Regional Economic Development at YEG | Edmonton Airports

Afternoon Introduction + Regional Data Presentation

Nader Shureih, Senior Vice President at Environics Analytics

Afternoon Keynote

Catherine Rothrock: - Chief Economist, Government of Alberta

Closing Keynote

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