ACR’s 90th Anniversary Conference and Banquet
Canada’s Resources Moment: Achieving Success in the Build Canada Era
April 9–10, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs
Featuring a Dynamic Speaker Lineup and ACR’s Inaugural Resource Leadership Legacy Award
Preferred pricing is available for half-table and full-table purchases.
Event Highlights
Thursday, April 9
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Annual General Meeting
6:00 – 9:00 PM | Mount Stephen Room
Special Reception
Reconnect with peers and partners across Alberta’s resource sectors during an elegant evening of celebration to open ACR’s 90th Anniversary event
Friday, April 10
Conference 8:00 AM– 4:00 PM | Alberta New Brunswick Room
Session #1:
9:00AM-9:30AM
Opening Remarks - Setting the Course for ACR’s Next Chapter
Brian Humphreys,
President, Alberta Chamber of Resources
Welcoming the 2026–27 Board and outlining ACR’s new strategic direction for the Build Canada era.
Session #2:
9:30AM-10:30AM
Public Opinion & the Build Canada Agenda: Important Considerations for Resource Sector Development
Nik Nanos,
Chief Data Scientist & Founder, Nanos Research
Drawing on national polling, this opening session examines how Canadians view the need for a stronger, more independent economy and the importance of diversity and stability in trade relationships, within the context of resource development. The discussion will explore the support for expanding Canada’s resource industries and markets, and what lies beneath that support, in the form of key conditions the public expects industry and organizations like ACR to address as we advance a Build Canada agenda.
Session #3
10:45AM-11:45AM
Governing in the Build Canada Era: Understanding the Challenges of Policy Makers
Randy Pettipas,
CEO, Global Public Affairs
Sonya Savage,
Former Minister of Energy and Minister of Environment, Government of Alberta
Drawing on senior government experience, this session examines the practical challenges governments encounter as they respond to trade disruption, economic uncertainty, and public expectations. The discussion will highlight what the resource sector should understand about government decision-making, constraints, and priorities, and how such an understanding can help companies and associations like ACR work with policy makers to advance the Build Canada agenda.
Session #4
1:00PM-1:45PM
The Geo-political Case for Expansion & Diversification of Canada’s Resource Markets: Urgency, Opportunity & Wider Economic Benefit
Robert (RJ) Johnston,
Director of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Calgary School of Public Policy
Canadian economic resilience will depend on access to diverse global markets. This feature session will explain the urgent need to expand and diversify our resource markets in response to geo-political developments; the scale of the opportunity for the various industries within the sector; and how resource market growth and diversification will support other industries and local supply chains across Canada, underpinning our longer-term prosperity and independence.
Session #5
1:45PM-2:30PM
Indigenous Engagement as Opportunity & Innovation
Steve Saddleback,
Senior Advisor, External Relations, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
Achieving success at this pivotal moment in Canada’s economic future will depend on advancing our thinking on Indigenous engagement — not just as a fundamental duty, but as a driver of opportunity and innovation in resource development. Join Steve Saddleback as he shares real-world examples and from the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, illustrating how this shift is creating tangible value and advancing major projects across the country.
Session #6
2:45PM-3:45PM
Stronger Together: Aligning Resource Sector Advocacy
Brian Humphreys, (Moderator)
President, Alberta Chamber of Resources
Adam Legge,
President, Business Council of Alberta
Kendall Dilling,
President, Oil Sands Alliance
Sheila Harrison,
Vice President, Policy, Alberta Forest Products Association
John Rhind,
Chair Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum – Alberta Division
Resource sector associations play a critical role in advancing development, policy, and market access on behalf of their members. This panel brings together leaders from across the resource sector to reflect on what is working — and what is not — as organizations pursue their objectives in the Build Canada era. Drawing on the themes of the conference, the discussion will explore where greater coordination can strengthen outcomes and how cross-sector collaboration can enhance the effectiveness of industry advocacy and engagement
Awards Banquet 5:30 PM– 9:30 PM | Alberta New Brunswick Room
A limited number of full Conference + Banquet tickets are now available.
Award Recipients
Celebrate excellence in leadership, partnership, and longevity in Alberta’s resource community.
Resource Leadership Legacy Award — Ian Anderson
To honour and celebrate Ian Anderson’s profound contributions to the future development of Canada’s resource sector, the economic & social well-being of Canadians, and his leadership example for the Build Canada era.
Indigenous Resource Leadership Award — Steve Saddleback
To honour and celebrate Steve Saddleback’s leadership in advancing meaningful Indigenous participation in Canada’s resource sector, strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities and industry, and helping to create lasting economic opportunities grounded in partnership, respect, and shared prosperity.
Young Resource Leader Award — Emily Hicks
To honour and celebrate Emily Hicks’ leadership and innovation in advancing responsible resource development, her role in bringing new technologies from concept to commercialization, and her contributions as an emerging leader helping shape the future of Canada’s resource sector.
Book Your Stay
An allotted number of discounted rooms have been made available at the Fairmont Banff Springs for ACR guests.
Stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs
Experience Banff
Set in the heart of Banff National Park, the Fairmont Banff Springs offers guests a world-class stay surrounded by mountain vistas and timeless elegance.
During your visit, enjoy:
The award-winning Fairmont Spa with thermal pools and treatments
Indoor lap pool, outdoor saltwater pool, and fitness centre
Fine dining at 1888 Chophouse, Castello Italiana, and Rundle Bar
Shopping & sightseeing in downtown Banff, just minutes from the hotel
Spring activities such as the Banff Gondola and scenic trails
Our Partners
Thank you to our partners who continue to support us and make these events possible.
Past Awards
Resource Leader of the Year
The Resource Leader of the Year is presented to an individual, organization or project that has been significant to the sustainable development of Alberta’s natural resources.
Past Winners:
Al Monaco (2022)
Nancy Southern (2020)
Steve Williams (2018)
Jim Ellis (2016)
Brian C. Ferguson (2014)
Peter Watson (2011)
Pat Daniel (2009)
Charlie Fischer (2008)
Indigenous Leader of the Year
The Indigenous Leader of the Year is presented to an individual, organization or project that has advanced the relationship between the Indigenous peoples of Alberta and the natural resource sector.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Past Winners:
Major Reclamation Award
The dedication of ACR members to the pursuit of improved reclamation techniques has led to many innovations and has provided increasing confidence to regulators and the general public about the long-term success of reclamation in Alberta. The Major Reclamation Award reflects the importance of long-term corporate commitment to reclamation. Selection for the Major Reclamation Award is made by Alberta Environment and Water in an independent process.
Past Winners:
Aboriginal Rewarding Partnership Award
The award was created by the Alberta Chamber of Resources and Alberta Aboriginal Relations to celebrate and recognize companies and their Aboriginal partners who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, best practices in Aboriginal programs, sustainability and capacity building.
Past Winners:
Environmental Award
This is given to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated sustained and stellar environmental stewardship. Selection for the Environmental Award is made by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development in an independent process.
Past Winners:
Young Resource Leader Award
Key to the positive future of our industry are the young leaders across the value chain of the natural resources industry who are advancing the technology, standards, skills, science, and communication necessary for our industries to thrive in an ever-changing environment.
Past Winners:
Technology & Innovation Leadership Award
We are immensely proud of the effort companies, communities and individuals make every day to responsibly research, innovate, develop, process, transport, market, and support our natural resources.
Past Winners:
MIAC Scholarships
Promoting the future of mining in Alberta
In addition to our annual awards, the Alberta Chamber of Resources also presents a number of scholarships to second-year mining engineering students enrolled in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering School of Mining, who have shown academic merit or extracurricular achievements. The Ian Muirhead Memorial Scholarship is presented to the student who best combines these attributes. The scholarships are sponsored by the mining companies in the Alberta Chamber of Resources.