Town of Vegreville to Host 2026 Local to Global Forum

Vegreville, AB (March 12, 2026) – The Town of Vegreville is excited to host the 2026 Local to Global Forum, a regional economic development conference bringing together municipal leaders, industry partners, and economic development professionals from across Eastern Alberta.

The forum is organized collaboratively by Eastern Alberta’s three major Regional Economic Development Alliances: Northeast Alberta Information Hub, the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development of East Central Alberta, and the Palliser Economic Partnership of Southeast Alberta. Together, these organizations represent more than 80 municipalities across the province and play a vital role in supporting investment attraction, regional collaboration, and economic growth.

The Local to Global Forum provides elected officials, service providers, economic development professionals, and members of the Eastern Alberta business community with the opportunity to network, share ideas, and explore strategies aimed at diversifying and strengthening rural economies.

“It’s always exciting when our community can host an event like the Local to Global Forum, but this year it feels especially important. With the uncertainty we’re seeing on the international stage and the day-to-day unpredictability affecting economies everywhere, it’s clear that now, more than ever, we need to look to our fellow Albertans — elected officials, industry leaders, and local businesses — and work together to strengthen and support our regional economies. This forum provides an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and explore made-in-Alberta solutions that help ensure our communities remain resilient and less reliant on external forces.”
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Tim MacPhee, Mayor, Town of Vegreville

This year’s forum will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and presenters, including The Honourable Shane Getson, Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridors. Attendees will also hear from representatives of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, a 2,300-mile, multi-state coalition advocating for a four-lane, interstate-grade highway connecting Mexico to Canada through the U.S. Great Plains. Additional presentations will be delivered by key infrastructure and energy stakeholders including the Alberta Electric System Operator, ATCO, Fortis, and AltaLink.

“We’re excited to return to Vegreville for this year’s Local to Global Forum and what promises to be an informative and engaging event. This forum provides a valuable opportunity to hear directly from industry stakeholders, elected officials, and economic development leaders about emerging industries taking shape across our province. It also allows us to have honest conversations about what’s working — and what isn’t — when it comes to economic development in Alberta, particularly in rural communities. Most importantly, it brings us together to explore how communities across Eastern Alberta can collaborate to strengthen our economic resilience moving forward.”
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Bob Bezpalko, Executive Director of Northeast Alberta Information HUB

The three-day forum will take place April 8–10, 2026, beginning with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday, April 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Vegreville Suites. The main forum program will follow on Thursday, April 9 at the Vegreville Social Centre, featuring a full day of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. The event will conclude with a morning session on Friday, April 10, also at the Vegreville Social Centre.

The registration deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026.

For more information or to register, please visit: Local to Global Forum 2026 | Go East of Edmonton

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About Vegreville: Home to the World’s Largest Freestanding Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg), the Town of Vegreville is a growing community located approximately 100 kilometres east of Edmonton, Alberta, with direct access to Highways 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and 36—two of Western Canada’s key transportation corridors. With a steadily rising population and strong momentum in residential and commercial development, Vegreville continues to attract families, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking affordability, opportunity, and quality of life. Positioned for long-term growth in agriculture, agri-food processing, and industrial development, Vegreville offers high-speed fibre-optic internet, efficient permitting, and competitive operating costs. The Town’s Prosperity Industrial Park features fully serviced, investment-ready industrial land starting at just $50,000 per acre, making Vegreville one of the most affordable and business-friendly communities in Alberta for expansion and investment.


MEDIA INQUIRIES

Sabrina Curtis
Community Engagement Coordinator, Town of Vegreville
scurtis@vegreville.com