Why Advance Manitoba Matters
Running a business has always required adaptability. But today, the pace and complexity of change are creating new pressures for Manitoba businesses.
Workforce challenges, rising operating costs, shifting customer expectations and economic uncertainty are influencing how businesses operate, invest and grow. At the same time, rapid advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), are creating new possibilities for improving productivity and rethinking how work gets done.
For business leaders, the challenge isn’t simply keeping up. It’s figuring out which changes matter most, where to focus limited time and resources, and how to turn new opportunities into meaningful results.
These are the conversations at the heart of Advance Manitoba, taking place November 10, 2026, at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
The event is part of Manitoba AI Pathways, led by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the broader chamber network, Advance Manitoba brings together business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators to explore the forces shaping Manitoba’s economic future and what businesses can do to prepare for what’s next.
The pressure to do more with less
Across industries, business leaders are being asked to improve productivity, manage costs, attract and retain talent, and remain competitive in an increasingly complex environment.
For small and medium-sized businesses, these pressures can be especially difficult to navigate. Time and resources are limited, and stepping away from daily operations to think about long-term strategy isn’t always easy.
Yet those decisions matter. How businesses invest, develop their workforce, adopt new technologies and respond to changing markets will influence their ability to compete and grow in the years ahead.
Productivity is a particularly important part of this conversation. Improving productivity isn’t necessarily about asking people to work harder or longer. It’s about finding better ways to work, making effective use of resources, reducing unnecessary friction and creating the conditions for people and businesses to achieve more.
That requires more than new tools. It requires thoughtful leadership, a willingness to question existing approaches and a clear understanding of where change can make a difference.
AI is part of the conversation — but not the whole story
Artificial intelligence has quickly become a major topic in business discussions. Its potential applications span everything from automating routine administrative tasks and improving forecasting to supporting customer service and helping employees access information more efficiently.
For Manitoba businesses, these opportunities deserve attention. But adopting a new technology doesn’t automatically lead to better results.
The real value comes from understanding the problem a business is trying to solve, identifying where a tool can help, preparing employees to use it effectively and measuring whether it delivers the intended outcome.
That distinction matters. Businesses can experiment with AI and still struggle to translate that activity into meaningful productivity gains. Others may be unsure where to begin, what investments are justified or how to address concerns about privacy, reliability and trust.
At Advance Manitoba, AI will be explored within the broader context of business competitiveness and transformation. The focus is not simply on what technology can do, but on how organizations can make informed decisions about adopting it, integrating it into their operations and preparing their people for change.
What does meaningful change look like for your business?
Every organization will approach change differently. The priorities of a growing small business may differ from those of a large employer, a manufacturer, a service provider or an organization operating in a rural community.
There is no single solution that works for everyone. But there is value in learning from the experiences of others, examining new approaches and asking better questions about how a business operates.
Advance Manitoba will bring these perspectives together through sessions focused on productivity, leadership, workforce transformation, innovation and responsible technology adoption.
Featured speakers include Dr. Joel Blit, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Waterloo; Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce; and Alfredo Tan, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Canada Goose.
Sessions will explore Canada’s productivity challenge, what distinguishes businesses that are realizing value from AI, and how leaders can turn technological ambition into practical change. Other discussions will examine data and competitive advantage, changing customer expectations, trust and responsible AI use, and how businesses can test new approaches before committing to larger investments.
The program also includes the Interactive Garden, where participants can explore emerging tools and consider how they might address real business challenges.
For attendees, the opportunity is to move beyond broad discussions about change and consider what these developments mean for their own organizations.
What processes could be improved? Where are employees spending time on repetitive work? Are customer expectations changing? What skills will teams need in the coming years? And which investments could help the business become more resilient and competitive?
These are questions worth asking, regardless of where a business is on its innovation journey.
Helping Manitoba businesses prepare for what’s next
At the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, our work is focused on helping create the conditions for Manitoba businesses and communities to prosper. That includes advocating for a competitive business environment, connecting organizations across the province and supporting initiatives that help businesses respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Through our work with Manitoba AI Pathways, we are helping businesses build the knowledge and confidence to explore AI and digital transformation in practical, responsible ways.
Advance Manitoba builds on that commitment by bringing the business community together for a broader conversation about productivity, competitiveness, leadership and the future of work.
No single conference can solve every challenge facing Manitoba businesses. But the right insights, connections and conversations can help leaders ask better questions, recognize opportunities and make more informed decisions.
The goal isn’t to adopt every new technology or respond to every emerging trend. It’s to understand what’s changing, identify what matters to your business and take thoughtful steps toward a stronger future.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI, looking for ways to improve productivity, thinking about your workforce or preparing your organization for its next stage of growth, Advance Manitoba is an opportunity to learn, connect and consider what’s possible.
Join us at Advance Manitoba
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Location: RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Explore the conference agenda, learn more about the speakers and register at advancemanitoba.ca.
Business is changing. Let’s make sure Manitoba businesses are ready to shape what comes next.
