About Us
We create, finance &
produce high-quality events that make
progress to humanity &
improve economies
Our events are collabortive efforts that are led by a leadership team made up of expert community members who drive our event vision and program.
What We’re Known For
Connecting The best and brightest across the worlds of industry
With our unmatched skills and expertise, we assure you an unforgettable and unparalleled event experience for you and your team
We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, customer service and desire to deliver the best experience for our participants and partners
Flagship Events
Participants Each Year
Delivered Content
Positive Reviews
Our Team
Meet Our Team!
Miki Reeder
President & CEO
miki@theconnectgroup.ca
Laura Bodtker
Conference Manager
l.bodtker@theconnectgroup.ca
Jennie Price
Marketing Manager
miki@theconnectgroup.ca
Jaret Smith
Business Development Manager
j.smith@theconnectgroup.ca
Louisa Pumilia
Operations Manager
l.pumilia@theconnectgroup.ca
John Aranibar
Digital Marketing Coordinator
j.aranibar@theconnectgroup.ca
Demi Knight
Conference Producer
d.knight@theconnectgroup.ca
Ash Merani
Director, Business Development
miki@theconnectgroup.ca
Cintia Lutz
Operations Manager
cintia.lutz@theconnectgroup.ca
Malinda Van Aalst
President & CEO
m.vanaalst@theconnectgroup.ca
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Forward Summit is an annual conference that highlights significant economic issues and challenges facing Indigenous people. The summit is designed to collectively brainstorm and address strategies to move forward with economic growth, connect with industry and government leaders, and to promote reconciliation efforts.
Workforce Forward is the kind of positive environment where transformative ideas can have far-reaching influence. It’s a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders working in the DEI space come to connect, have conversations and contribute actionable insights that leave participants inspired to create safe, welcoming and inclusive workplaces to Indigenous people.
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Our events offer an excellent opportunity to build relationships with Indigenous communities, learn about their cultures, values, and traditions, and explore business opportunities that benefit both parties.
1. Networking: By attending our events, you can build relationships and network with members of Indigenous communities who can potentially become clients, partners, or allies.
2. Cultural Awareness: Our events offer an opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures, histories, values, and traditions. Understanding and respecting these aspects of Indigenous communities can help build trust and strengthen relationships.
3. Collaboration: We promote collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses. By attending, your business can explore opportunities for collaboration on joint ventures, projects, or initiatives that benefit both parties.
4. Business Opportunities: Indigenous communities are increasingly becoming important players in the Canadian economy. By attending our events, your business can discover new opportunities to do business with Indigenous partners that can enhance your business bottom line.
