Co-op Connection Tour

Connecting Alberta’s Co-ops, One Stop at a Time

This fall, the Alberta Community & Co-operative Association (ACCA) is on the road with the Co-op Connection Tour. A province-wide series of in-person Lunch & Learn gatherings, fuelled by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Co-operative Energy (ACE), and regional sponsors, helping to bring these conversations to life.

At the heart of every stop is connection. Co-ops, credit unions, and community builders will come together to exchange insights, showcase innovation, and explore how the co-op model drives resilient, locally owned business solutions. Alongside that, we’ll explore how the co-op model can creatively address local needs in housing, elder care, food security, business succession, and more.

These aren’t lectures, they’re open conversations where local voices set the agenda, co-ops take the spotlight, and new ideas take root.

Fuelled by our Principal Funders:

Made Possible by Legacy Builders

Legacy Builders are the champions driving Alberta’s co-operative future — helping launch bold initiatives like the Co-op Connection Tour and the Business NOT as Usual, our youth-focused outreach campaign. Their support expands programs and amplifies the co-operative movement across the province through ACCA.

Meet the 2025 Legacy Builders powering this work and discover how your co-op or organization can join them in shaping what comes next.

Co-op Connection Tour Dates:

What to Expect

Each session is shaped by local voices and includes:

  • A warm welcome and framing by community champions

  • Stories from Alberta co-ops already making an impact

  • Open discussion on pressing local challenges

  • Practical tools, resources, and next steps

Who Should Attend

If you believe in the power of co-operation, this tour is for you:

  • Co-ops and credit unions of all sizes and sectors

  • Local entrepreneurs and business champions

  • Municipal leaders, economic developers, and elected officials

  • Community members looking to build stronger, more resilient places to live and work

What You’ll Walk Away With

  • New connections with Alberta co-ops and changemakers

  • Inspiration from real stories of co-op impact

  • A clearer understanding of how the co-op model works as a modern, adaptable solution

  • Clearer pathways to explore or grow co-op solutions

  • A chance to have your region’s voice heard

Why It Matters

The best solutions don’t come from outside experts. They emerge when co-ops and communities connect, collaborate, and take ownership together. The co-op model has always been about practical answers to real problems—and in a time of rising costs, shifting economies, and changing needs, it’s a model whose time has come again.

The Co-op Connection Tour is about celebrating Alberta’s co-ops, amplifying their leadership, and creating spaces where challenges meet co-operative solutions.

** Help us prepare for your arrival - please register at least 5 days before your chosen location. Please reach out to connect@acca.coop for additional support.