One of the most transformative professional experiences of my career.
SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition
Ralph Klein Park & Environmental Education Centre
Calgary, Canada
Description
If you’re using business as a force for good—or curious about how it can be—you belong at Social Venture Institute: Alberta - Calgary Edition.
Building something meaningful can feel overwhelming, and at times, isolating.
SVI is a place to come together and reimagine what’s possible alongside others doing similar work.
This is a gathering of entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers navigating the real work of building something that matters. A space to step back from the day-to-day, think more clearly about what's important, and learn alongside others who are asking the same hard questions.
SVI is not a typical conference. It’s a chance to spend meaningful time with a community that understands both the weight of what you’re building, and the drive behind it.
At SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition, you can expect:
•Time to step back and work on your business—not just in it
•Honest keynote talks from award winning founders and innovators
•Small group dialogue with people who are asking the right questions
•Workshops offering practical insights you can apply right away
•Space to reflect, reset, and reconnect with your purpose
•Meaningful connection with a thoughtful, values-driven community
•Time on the land, including opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives
•Shared meals designed for conversation and connection
Purchasing your ticket:
Thoughtful things take a little more time! As part of the ticketing process, you’ll be asked some questions to help us curate the group and make sure we’re bringing the right people together.
It could take 10+ minutes, so we recommend setting aside a little time, grabbing a coffee, and completing it in one sitting, as your progress will not be saved if you leave midway.
Keynotes
Holly Singer — Founder & CEO, Milk Jar Candle Co.
Since launching nearly a decade ago, Milk Jar has grown into a multi-million dollar, internationally recognized brand—now carried in over 600 retail locations worldwide. Yet for Founder & CEO Holly Singer, success has always meant more than just growth. Holly built Milk Jar on the belief that businesses can (and should) create meaningful impact in the communities they’re part of. Her team of 19 includes people with and without disabilities, with a strong focus on creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who may not have otherwise been given a chance. In addition, for every product sold, $1 supports organizations creating more inclusive communities, contributing to over $450,000 raised across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Holly is a strong advocate for inclusive hiring and helps other businesses rethink who they hire and how they build their teams—demonstrating that inclusive workplaces are not only possible, but powerful. Most recently, Holly completed a four-month trial of a 36-hour work week with her management team, with plans to move to a 32–35 hour work week for all full-time staff—without reducing pay. The results speak for themselves: profit is up, efficiency has improved, and her team is more energized than ever. Her work continues to challenge what’s possible in business, showing that when people are given the opportunity to thrive, both the business and the community are stronger for it.
Käthe Lemon, President & Co-Owner, RedPoint Media Group
Käthe Lemon is President & Co-Owner of RedPoint Media Group, one of Western Canada’s leading independent media companies and a Calgary-based publishing house and content studio. Prior to becoming President, Käthe spent 15 years as Editor-in-Chief of Avenue, helping shape it into one of Alberta’s most influential city magazines. Under her leadership, the publication expanded its reach through signature platforms including Best Restaurants, Top 40 Under 40, the Made in Alberta Awards, and Best Neighbourhoods, along with initiatives like the Big Idea series, which sparked city-wide conversations on issues such as affordable housing. In 2023, Käthe and her business partner, Roger Jewett, acquired RedPoint Media Group, continuing its 30 year legacy of producing award-winning publications and platforms. Today, Avenue reaches a large and engaged audience across print and digital platforms—including over 200,000 unique monthly website visitors and 500,000 monthly pageviews—influencing the conversations happening in Calgary and beyond. With over two decades of experience, Käthe has built a career around telling the stories that define a city—shaping how Calgary sees itself, and what it aspires to become. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including honours from the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, the Western Magazine Awards, and the National Magazine Awards. In 2011, she was named Editor of the Year by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association.
Testimonials
The sessions gave real world advice that I could use immediately to improve my business.
Exactly what I needed...stepping out of my comfort zone turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
I am deeply grateful that this community exists in Alberta—it gives me hope.
Ralph Klein Park
FAQs
- What is the difference between SVI: Alberta and SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition? What can I expect from the experience?
SVI: Alberta is a unique hybrid of conference, retreat, social gathering, and coming together of those on the forefront of social ventures in Alberta.
SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is a shorter, in-city version of the full SVI: Alberta experience. It offers a condensed format while still including the key signature elements that make SVI special—such as True Confessions keynotes, workshops, a case study, and peer circles.
If you’re looking to get a feel for SVI, build meaningful connections, and move your venture forward, SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is a great place to start!
You’ll be challenged, inspired, and pushed to expand your ideas of what’s possible.
- Who is SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition for?
SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is for people who believe business can be a force for good, or are curious about what that could look like in practice.
You might be running a business, nonprofit, or initiative, or working within one. Some participants are already deeply focused on impact, while others are just starting to explore it.
What brings people together is a willingness to step back, think more intentionally about their work, and learn alongside others who are asking similar questions.
- Who are the organizers behind SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition?
SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is hosted by Momentum. Momentum is a community economic development organization that aims to create a thriving, resilient, local economy. By hosting SVI: Alberta, Momentum is able to connect its work to the broader social innovation ecosystem in Alberta and contribute to systems level change.
- How is SVI: Alberta & SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition connected to other SVI offerings?
Social Venture Institute (SVI) was created by the Hollyhock Leadership Institute and has been running for over 30 years, making it one of Canada’s longest-running gatherings for social entrepreneurs.
Over time, additional offerings have been developed, including SVI Women, SVI 365, and our own offerings— SVI: Alberta and SSVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition.
- What and where is Ralph Klein Park?
Ralph Klein Park is located in southeast Calgary, about 15 minutes from downtown.
The 30-hectare site is Canada’s largest constructed wetland, designed to support wildlife, improve water quality, and create space for environmental education. At its centre is an award-winning, LEED Platinum-certified building overlooking the wetlands.
It’s a setting that invites you to slow down and spend time in a place that supports reflection, learning, and meaningful connection, with both the land and each other.
We acknowledge that this gathering takes place on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani Nations), the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We are grateful to gather on this land and recognize the ongoing relationships Indigenous peoples have with it.
- What is the price of attending SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition?
The cost for SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition 2026 is $299.00 (plus GST). This price includes meals and access to all sessions.
Register before June 30th to receive the early bird rate of $250 (plus GST).
- Are there scholarships available if cost is a barrier for me?
Yes. If you require financial support, there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available. Please apply here.
The application form will take approximately 5-8 minutes to fill out.
- Can I bring a co-founder or team member?
Yes, and we encourage it! Attending with a co-leader can deepen your shared clarity and strengthen how you lead together. Group rates are available upon request.
- What is the schedule for the event?
A full agenda for SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition can be found on the SVI: Alberta website.
- Can I attend only part of SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition?
We strongly recommend attending all sessions to get the full experience and value—but we understand that as an entrepreneur, you might need to step out briefly. Just do your best to be as present as you can :)
- Where can I learn more about SVI: Alberta and get a feel for past events?
You can check out the SVI: Alberta webpage, including our past event gallery.
- What is the Application Process?
Click the red "Get Tickets" button, fill in the application form, and make your payment. If for any reason your application isn’t accepted, you’ll receive a full refund.
A quick heads up—this isn’t a 30-second checkout. It could take 10+ minutes, so we recommend setting aside a little time, grabbing a coffee and completing it in one sitting, as your progress will not be saved if you leave midway.
SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is intentionally curated to create a meaningful and diverse experience. As part of the selection process, we consider a mix of perspectives, lived experiences, and organizational types—bringing together a balance of emerging and established organizations, social ventures, and enabling partners.
Gallery—SVI: Alberta 2025 (Métis Crossing)
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Ralph Klein Park & Environmental Education Centre
Calgary, Canada
Hosted by Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta