

BUY
TICKETS
JUNE 15
2026 Alberta Liquor Industry Conference
Celebrating Resilience and Adaptability
OCT 8
Marriott Calgary

The Venue
Marriott Calgary
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This year’s conference will take place at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel. The venue offers dedicated conference facilities, multiple meeting and breakout spaces, exhibitor areas, and full audiovisual and catering support to accommodate the educational and networking components of the event.
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The Alberta Liquor Industry Conference brings together liquor retailers, suppliers, agents, manufacturers, regulators, and industry service providers from across the province for a day of education, discussion, and professional development.
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The program is designed to address current industry challenges and opportunities through expert speakers, panel discussions, market insights, regulatory updates, and practical business sessions relevant to Alberta’s beverage alcohol sector.
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The conference has been scheduled during the same week as the Alberta Small Brewers Conference at the Westin Edmonton to help attendees and industry partners coordinate travel and meeting schedules. This alignment provides an opportunity for participants involved in both sectors to attend multiple industry events within a single week while minimizing time away from their businesses.
In addition to the educational program, attendees will have opportunities to connect with peers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders, making the conference an important forum for relationship building, knowledge sharing, and industry collaboration.

The Agenda
OCT 7 2025
8:00
Registration
9:00
Connect Logistics Logistics for Retailers with Bob McDonald and Stephen Dougans,
Connect Logistics Services
10:00
State of the Union
Alberta Liquor Industry
with Jason Derry and Darcy Strang, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis
11:00
Connect Logistics Logistics for Suppliers and Importers with Bob McDonald and Stephen Dougans, Connect Logistics Services
12:00
Lunch with greetings from Leanne BaIanik and Industry Keynote: “Trade Winds and Headwinds: What’s Ahead for Alberta” with Hon. Gary Mar, K.C.
2:00
A Panel Discussion: Retail Sales in large and small markets. How to approach these very different customers and what makes them spend.
3:00
The World of Canadian Whiskey: Dive into our national spirit and understand what it is and where it came from. With James Papastavros
4:00
Industry Reception: Eat, drink and enjoy some time with industry colleagues.
The Speakers
FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS
STAY TUNED AS MORE EXPERTS ARE CONFIRMED
01

Hon. Gary Mar, K.C.
Keynote Speaker
Trade Winds and Head Winds: What's Ahead for Alberta
12 PM | October 7​

Bob McDonald
Client Services Manager
Connect Logistics
Connect Logistics for Retailers
9 AM | October 7
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Connect Logistics for Importers and Suppliers
11 AM | October 7
Jason Derry
02



Senior Manager, Liquor Stakeholder Management at AGLC
AGLC
AGLC State of the Union
10 AM | October 7​
Leanne Balanik
Vice President, Liquor & Cannabis
AGLC
Luncheon Greetings
12 PM | October 7​
James Papastavros
National Portfolio Manager, Proximo Spirits
The World of Canadian Whiskey
3 PM | October 7​

Our Sponsors
LEADING THE INDUSTRY