2025 DEAM Idea Conference

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON NOW!

Your early bird ticket purchase includes the networking event on October 2nd from 5pm-8pm and the all day conference on October 3rd starting at 9am. Receive nearly 30% in discounts if you purchase between April 28th and June 6th 2025.

DEAM IDEA Conference

In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN) is pleased to present the fourth annual DEAM IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Conference in Calgary at the Telus Convention Centre on October 3rd. This conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of inclusive and equitable employment and recruitment. Attendees will walk away with actionable steps they can use in their communities and workplaces. Get your workplace ready to hire people with disabilities in every industry, role, and help make sure the work is sustainable and promotes career development based on the interest of the individual. The 2025 conference call to action is "Authenticity in Action".

DEAM IDEA Conference - Networking Event October 2nd - 5pm-8pm

Join us for a pre-conference event! There will exhibitors, a chance to build capacity with fellow Albertans and to share stories about inclusive employment. Come for chit chats, community centered storytelling, a fun activity, prizes and snacks.

Who is the conference for?

The conference content on October 3rd is best tailored for leadership, enterpreneurs, hiring managers, HR, EDI leads, managers, supervisors and anyone with the power to make or instigate inclusive change in a workplace. We also invite employment service providers to join to network and learn key insights from community members who are informing the content. Community members with disabilities are encouraged to attend the networking event on October 2nd.

What's special about our program this year?

During the afternoon of the DEAM IDEA Conference on October 3rd, we have a special all encompassing workshop that walks attendees through the life cycle of an employee with a disability. You will be provided a handbook, evidence based information and real stories. This is the PD opportunity you can't miss!

Who is our keynote speaker? It's Dr. Kathleen Sitter!

Joining us at the DEAM IDEA Conference is a Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. She is also the Canada Research Chair in Multisensory Storytelling in Research and Knowledge Translation.

The Multisensory Studio strives to provide an accessible environment to support the creation, engagement, and enactment of stories by, for, with, and alongside the disability community.

Grounded in disability justice, participatory research, and community-led design, Dr. Sitter’s projects focus on improving access, transitions, and experiences across systems that impact disabled people’s lives, including healthcare, employment, training, education, and social policy. Her work has been published in international journals, and she has led over 200 multisensory initiatives which have been featured in more than 100 invited and juried exhibitions.

What is authenticity in action?

It's a reminder that without authenticity, inclusive employment journeys are unsustainable. Authenticity when taking actionable steps for inclusive employment will:

• ensure meaningful employment
• create sustainable workplaces
• improve workplace culture
• invite opportunities for talent matching
• retain employees
• create stronger EDI strategies

Learn more about authenticity in action for employment within the untapped labour pool of people with disabilities at the 2025 DEAM IDEA Conference on October 4th in Calgary. Register now!

Registration Deadline for regular ticket sales: September 23rd 2025

If you are a self advocate or person with a disability who would like to request support with purchasing a ticket to the DEAM IDEA Conference, please email Mariebelle at [email protected].

Looking for accommodation?

Hotel(s) offering a special group rate:

• Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel for 199.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Hotel(s) offering a special group rate:

• Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District for 195.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Thursday, September 18, 2025

If you would like to discuss rates with the hotel, please contact them directly or reach out to [email protected] for support.

Host or Publisher AEFN