2025 GRIT Preview

GRIT Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Teamwork

Annual Convention and Trade Show June 4-5, 2025 River Cree Resort Edmonton, AB

Get ready to step into a space where resilience meets innovation, through the power of community and perseverance.

Join a dynamic gathering of thought leaders, changemakers, and visionaries for an experience packed with inspiring speaker sessions, engaging network opportunities, and a high-energy trade show that showcases the endurance and ingenuity of our industry, driving change across Canada. Tour cutting-edge facilities, delve into conversations that challenge the status quo, and explore how innovation and adaptability fuel both personal and professional growth. 

The agricultural manufacturing sector thrives on GRIT - Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Teamwork.

This year, GRIT: AMC’s Annual Convention and Trade Show is the ultimate showcase of those values. We’re bringing together the boldest minds and most innovative organizations to celebrate the relentless spirit driving our industry forward. 

And because GRIT is about action, you’ll have the chance to lace up and take to the ice in a friendly hockey game that embodies the spirit of teamwork, tenacity, and a little healthy competition. Whether you attend to connect, learn, or lead, GRIT is your opportunity to be a part of celebrating what it takes to build a better tomorrow. 

Activities:

We are reviving a beloved event – Hockey Night at AMC. What’s more Canadian than agriculture, manufacturing, and hockey all coming together.  The Associate Stick Magnets will take on the Regular Blades of Steel on River Cree’s NHL-sized rink!

This year’s tour offers an up-close look at advanced facilities, equipment, and surface finishing at Alberta Industrial Heat Treating and Apollo-Clad Laser Cladding.

Anohka, Alberta’s newest farm-to-flask distillery, will give attendees a private tour and tasting with insight into their unique process and facility.

We are pleased to present our speaker line-up for this year’s GRIT: AMC’s Annual Convention and Trade Show

PETER KATZ  , Juno-Nominated Singer-Songwriter, Keynote Speaker, and Facilitator KEYNOTE SESSION:  We Become What We Celebrate

In his keynote address, Peter Katz shows audiences how to harness the remarkable power of celebration. Splintered workforces, remote working environments, and marketplace disruptions are making it harder than ever for workplaces to follow through on their mission, values, and goals. In this session, Peter will demonstrate how to create the right container to identify and amplify our brightest milestones and propel ourselves towards our biggest wins yet.

TODD KLINK  Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Public Affairs, FCC Lessons in Leadership

Todd will reflect upon the lessons learned from his 20+ years of leadership experience in the agriculture and food industry. His stories inspire those who are beginning or are transitioning through their leadership journeys.

CADMUS DELORME  Founder and Partner, OneHoop Advisory Services and Flowing River Capital Group Agriculture, Partnership, and the Opportunity to Understand the  Long-Term Relationship with Indigenous People

Cadmus will share how under his leadership as Chief of Cowessess, they prioritized economic self-sustainability and progressed renewable energy, agriculture, and land use efficiency initiatives to create current and future business opportunities. He will also share empowering messages about opportunities to learn from and partner with Indigenous Peoples and organizations to ensure sustainable future initiatives.

MYRNA GRAHN  Executive Director, Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) MUNICIPAL PANEL: Driving Agribusiness Growth in (Your) Home Communities Our Municipal panel will explore how economic development offices support AMC members through site selection, workforce development, and expansion. Attendees will gain insights on how to work effectively with local governments to grow their businesses. Panellists from  Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta will share strategies and services that foster industry-municipality collaboration.

PANELLISTS Brad Koopmans, Manager of Land and Economic Development, Red Deer County, Craig Hemingway, Manager of Communications, City of Moose Jaw, Margot Cathcart, President & CEO, Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corporation (RMED), Patricia MacQuarrie, General Manager, Community Development, City of Camrose

DR. STEVEN WEBB  CEO, Global Institute of Food Security (GIFS) Canada’s Sustainable Agriculture Success Story

Canada’s agriculture sector employs an intensive production system that uses modern technologies and practices in a manner that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. Steven will highlight the remarkable results of a 2022 GIFS study showing that Canada produces some of the least carbon-intensive crops in the world, providing a competitive advantage in a sector that has the potential to positively transform the country’s productivity, economy and global competitiveness.

MARGOT CATHCART   Certified Executive Coach and Working Genius Facilitator Know Your Genius and Build Happy, Effective Teams

Have you noticed that some tasks are energizing, make you happy and time flies by while you are “in the zone”? And, on the other hand, no matter how hard you try some tasks are draining and seem to take forever leaving you tired, perhaps frustrated and certainly not happy? Begin to understand your genius and how you can capitalize on it to bring more value to your role while being happier and more energized in your work.