Welcome – Chair of the SLGM and Chair of the Planning Committee

Welcome to the 24th Annual Municipal Leadership Workshop in Kananaskis

Welcome to beautiful Kananaskis Country and the Municipal Administration Leadership Workshop! This is the perfect backdrop to engage in thought-provoking education sessions, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional relationships. Whether you are joining us for the first time or are a long-standing attendee, your presence here reflects a shared commitment to professional excellence.

I would like to extend a special thank you to our Workshops sponsors, members of the Workshop Planning Committee, the Society’s Executive Director/Registrar, and others who have made this event possible. This event does not just “happen” – it is the result of hours of planning and behind-the-scenes effort.

I encourage you to find time for relaxation and rejuvenation, but I also challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone this week. Question a long-standing belief you’ve held. Introduce yourself to someone you’ve seen before but never met. Remember, growth begins at the end of our comfort zone.

Jesse Sopko, CLGM
Chair
Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta

Welcome to the 2026 Municipal Administration Leadership Workshop. The Society of Local Government Managers and the Planning Committee are once again proud to be offering the caliber of program and are confident it will meet and exceed your expectations. Whether you are returning to the workshop, or this is your first time, you will find this an enriching experience. The sessions and the all-important networking will benefit you and your municipal career.

Our Planning Committee has worked hard for you this year. Taking your suggestions and the current issues facing us as municipal administrators, they have compiled the sessions and presenters to reflect these. In addition to this, our committee members also obtain our sponsors to be able to host such a great event in beautiful Kananaskis. The Committee Members this year were Norm DeWitt CLGM, Jessica Hammer CLGM, Renee Harding CLGM, Ryan Payne CLGM, Paresh Dhariya CLGM, Sylvia Roy CLGM and Preston Weran CLGM. When you see them thank them for their exemplary efforts this year.

I would also like to thank our sponsors. Please take note of who sponsored us this year for without them the workshop simply could not happen. If you work with any of the sponsors, please take the time to personally thank them. Your acknowledgement helps ensure their continued support to our event.

As we all know, we are only successful by having great people supporting us. On behalf of the Planning Committee, a big thanks to Linda Davies. She is the one who coordinates this workshop and ensures it all runs smoothly. Her attention to every detail and devotion to the Society is greatly appreciated.

Again, thank you for attending, have a great time and enjoy the Kananaskis Workshop experience.

Corinne Newman CLGM
Chair, Planning Committee