(Alberta Municipalities)

By Alessia Proietti

Alberta Municipalities Conference and Tr

Red Deer seeks to become host city for annual provincial conference every three years

Aug 21, 2023 | 8:07 PM

The City of Red Deer is looking to become the host of the Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) Conference and Trade Show every three years.

At their meeting on Monday, city council endorsed the idea that would begin in September 2024, if approved.

ABmunis, formerly Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), brings together elected and administrative leaders, representing 85 per cent of the province’s municipalities, to meet and work towards advocating for solutions to municipal issues. The conference is organized and paid for by ABmunis.

The City of Red Deer hosted its first convention in 1991 and again in 2018, where it was deemed a success by trade-show organizers, attendees, and city officials. The City says the last conference brought with it economic development opportunities and an economic impact of $2,072,583.

That year, there were 1,128 registered delegates and 60 conference staff for the 148 booth spaces; 91 per cent of those in attendance saying they were satisfied with the conference, according to the AUMA. The City hosted a night titled “A Red Deer Affair” where 700 guests attended and 96 per cent said they were satisfied with the night.

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The City says that, in the past, host municipalities were responsible for a minimum sponsorship of $40,000, hosting of a municipal reception night, coordination of shuttle transportation between hotels and meetings (paid for by ABmunis), and community promotions.

Administration confirmed the conference is set to run from September 23-27, 2024 with the reception night on September 26 at the Red Deer Casino Special Events Centre. The estimated budget is $110,000, to be approved each multi-year budget, with the 2024 one-time cost already approved by council.

Dan Rude, ABmunis’ Chief Executive Officer, wrote in a letter to Red Deer City Manager Tara Lodewyk that the three-year rotation would be with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

City council also endorsed at Monday’s meeting that Councillor Lawrence Lee seek election to the position of Director for Cities up to 500,000 population, a two-year term, on the ABmunis Board of Directors.

Administration noted that the City of Red Deer has not had representation on the ABmunis Board of Directors since the 2016-17 term.

The Board is made up of elected officials who meet monthly and serve in at least one Board committee.

While the position of Director does not need council endorsement, Councillor Lee can also apply for Vice-President as he now has the required council resolution.

“Participating on a committee provides an opportunity to influence the direction of policy and programs. In addition, a Director will gain greater awareness of key initiatives to bring back to the City of Red Deer,” said administration in their agenda.

The cost to the City is up to $1,000 to cover election related expenses while travel and participation in Board meetings would be reimbursed directly by ABmunis.

The applications deadline for the Board is September 21, 2023 with elections occurring during the 2023 convention and trade show this September.