Spotlight: 2026 ABmunis Convention & Trade Show
The Edmonton Convention Centre was abuzz last week with discussions about infrastructure, municipal autonomy, taxation, e-scooters, and many other local issues when nearly 1,200 local leaders came to town for Alberta Municipalities’ annual Convention and Trade Show.
The event, which ran from Sept. 23 to 25, is the largest annual gathering of its kind in Alberta. Municipal elected officials, administrators, provincial leaders, speakers, exhibitors and industry partners spent two and a half days exchanging ideas, discussing shared challenges and helping shape the future of Alberta’s communities.
Delegates took part in a wide range of information sessions covering municipal communications, health care, affordable housing, artificial intelligence, community prevention, rail safety, water emergencies and the relationship between councils and chief administrative officers.
This year’s Trade Show featured nearly 150 exhibitors. Delegates walked the exhibition floor, explored new products and services, renewed relationships and made valuable new connections. The ABmunis booth attracted hundreds of delegates, providing staff members with opportunities to engage with members and discuss the association’s advocacy, services, and other initiatives.
Delegates considered 21 resolutions this year: 10 strategic-initiative resolutions, nine other resolutions, and two emergent resolutions. All but two of them passed. The 19 successful resolutions addressed issues such as access to health care, seniors’ lodges, municipal infrastructure, water systems, police fine revenue, personal micromobility devices, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) funding, and community well-being.
Premier Danielle Smith, Official Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi and Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams addressed delegates. Two Ministers’ Dialogue sessions on Sept. 25 gave municipal leaders direct access to provincial cabinet members and opportunities to ask questions about the issues affecting their communities.
Convention also generated strong news coverage. Discussions and presentations on Infrastructure funding, Alberta’s fiscal framework, municipal autonomy, micromobility and provincial-municipal relations generated news headlines and stories.
Thank you to everyone who attended, exhibited, sponsored, presented, or worked behind the scenes to make this year’s Convention and Trade Show so successful. A special thanks to The City of Edmonton for hosting ABmunis’ marquee event.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Edmonton in 2027!
