Youth to Business Forum 2026

Youth to Business (Y2B) is AIESEC’s flagship forum that brings together 120–140 high-potential students from 20+ universities across Canada with leaders from business, government, and community organizations to explore the future of work.

Designed as a platform for industry–youth dialogue, Y2B gives organizations the opportunity to engage directly with emerging talent, share insights on the evolving workplace, and position their organization as a thought leader on issues shaping the next generation of professionals.

Through panels, interactive skills labs, real talk discussions, and networking sessions, leaders contribute to conversations on AI, leadership, workplace culture, and the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

For participating organizations, Y2B provides meaningful visibility, brand positioning, and direct engagement with students and young professionals who represent the future workforce.

Info: The Y2B Chair frames why youth to employer misalignment exists and why it matters now based off their personal experience.

Info: A future-facing keynote on shifting skills, leadership, and workplace culture based on the speaker's experiences and observations.

audience: 150-200 youth (full plenary)

Info: This session brings together employers to share practical perspectives on leading in the evolving world of work, including adapting to technologies like AI, Gen Z leadership, and talent retention. It also includes an interactive “Where We Stand” activity, where both panelists and students physically position themselves from strongly agree to strongly disagree on key prompts, helping visualize real gaps in perspective between youth and industry.

Info: A structured but informal networking lunch where professionals host small tables with youth delegates. Guided prompts help spark meaningful conversations about leadership, career paths, and workplace realities.

Audience: 5–8 youth delegates per table with 1–2 professionals.

Info: Employers and business leaders bring real workplace questions into a guided discussion with youth. Through simulations, scenario exercises, or live anonymous responses, participants explore how youth would respond to real situations and test ideas in real time.

Audience: 30–50 youth per breakout session.

Info: Interactive workshops designed to equip youth with practical skills for real workplace contexts. Topics may include confidence in interviews and professional settings, relationship-building, communication and strategic storytelling, project management basics, and understanding employer expectations when entering the workforce.

Audience: 30–50 youth per breakout session.

Info: This panel brings together exchange partners and international professionals who help businesses expand across borders or have extensive experience running organizations abroad. The discussion explores cross-cultural leadership, global workforce dynamics, and how international markets are shaping the future of work.

Audience: 150–200 youth (full plenary).

Info: Classic employment fair style, free flow company booths with representatives around the room networking session.

audience: 150-200 youth (full plenary)

Info: The Chair reflects on the day’s discussions to surface common tensions and patterns between youth and employers, reinforcing the realities behind the gap and preparing participants to move from understanding to action.

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Host or Publisher AIESEC in Canada