BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:impactconference2026 X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//Sched.com EMDImpactConference2026//EN X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T140000Z DTEND:20260819T144500Z SUMMARY:Arrival\, Check-in & Warm-Up Networking DESCRIPTION:- Registration and QR check-in \;\n- Breakfast and coffee \;\n- Networking \; CATEGORIES:BREAK LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:2f90f8d1599b01ca0d0a10bc2e3d85fd URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/2f90f8d1599b01ca0d0a10bc2e3d85fd END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T150000Z DTEND:20260819T153000Z SUMMARY:Mission Briefing & Welcome DESCRIPTION:- Welcome and theme overview \;\n- Leadership message on IMPACT  \;\n- Organizational Goals CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:da655b8ca1f5f13601f04a57a365c987 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/da655b8ca1f5f13601f04a57a365c987 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T153000Z DTEND:20260819T170000Z SUMMARY:Keynote Evan Weselake DESCRIPTION:The Vision to Stay the Course \;— How We See Change\, Overcome Fear\, and Build Success Together.In this session Evan will share stories from work and life highlighting key ideas on how we all face change\; and what we can do to help ourselves as well as each other. From how we see the change\, to what we celebrate\, what distracts us\, who and how we trust\, and ultimately staying focused so that we can strive towards the next great vision! CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:28c13dfffa2223eb8870817cc216bd79 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/28c13dfffa2223eb8870817cc216bd79 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T170000Z DTEND:20260819T171500Z SUMMARY:Morning Break DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:BREAK LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:4d98098d547ebb908888754f5645d067 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/4d98098d547ebb908888754f5645d067 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T171500Z DTEND:20260819T180000Z SUMMARY:Leadership Panel: Stories That Shape Us – Finding Our Why Through Student Success DESCRIPTION:Leadership Panel: Stories That Shape Us – Finding Our Why Through Student Success\n\nJoin members of MaKami College's Executive Team for an engaging\, moderated leadership panel exploring the stories\, experiences\, and moments that remind us why our work matters. Through authentic conversation and audience participation\, we'll reflect on the challenges our students overcome and the role we play in helping them succeed.\n\nTogether\, we'll explore how setbacks can become powerful opportunities for growth—not only for our students\, but for ourselves as educators and leaders. Panelists will share meaningful stories from their own journeys\, discuss how MaKami's culture of compassion and support shapes the student experience\, and examine what keeps them inspired to continue serving our communities.\n\nAudience members will be invited to contribute by respond to real-life scenarios\, and reflect on the moments that have strengthened their sense of purpose\, or ask their own questions. Whether it's a student's breakthrough\, an unexpected challenge\, or a lesson learned through failure\, this session celebrates the impact we make when we choose to lean in\, support one another\, and stay committed to our shared mission.\n\nKey Takeaways:\nReframe student challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.Discover how storytelling strengthens our connection to purpose and one another.Reflect on the moments that shape MaKami's culture and inspire us to make a lasting impact.Leave with renewed motivation to support students—and each other—with empathy\, resilience\, and purpose.\n CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:256edd305707bafe8efb18d3050a26e4 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/256edd305707bafe8efb18d3050a26e4 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T180000Z DTEND:20260819T190000Z SUMMARY:Lunch DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:BREAK LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:e8bf5170a9f0dff35206d7b5f3be04e8 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/e8bf5170a9f0dff35206d7b5f3be04e8 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T190000Z DTEND:20260819T192000Z SUMMARY:Re-Energizer & Welcome Back DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:56e51df51cdeb4fc722c0ba80cf7286b URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/56e51df51cdeb4fc722c0ba80cf7286b END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T193000Z DTEND:20260819T203000Z SUMMARY:Communication Styles DESCRIPTION:Session Overview\nManaging and leading with strong communication helps build trust within teams\, foster accountability\, understand diverse communication styles\, and strengthen active listening skills. Effective communication also creates transparency during periods of change\, promotes a positive workplace culture\, and supports employee well-being. Leaders who communicate effectively are better equipped to reduce workplace stress\, prevent burnout\, and create environments where individuals feel valued\, supported\, and empowered to succeed.\nSession Description\nStrong leadership begins with strong communication. In today's fast-paced educational environment\, managers and team leaders are expected to navigate difficult conversations\, foster accountability\, build trust\, support employee well-being\, and lead teams through constant change. Yet many leaders have never received formal training in these essential communication skills.\nThis interactive and practical session will equip leaders with proven communication strategies that strengthen relationships\, improve team performance\, and create a positive workplace culture. Participants will explore the role of active listening\, emotional intelligence\, and constructive feedback in building trust and psychological safety within teams. Through real-world scenarios and practical leadership tools\, attendees will learn how to approach difficult conversations with confidence\, encourage accountability without creating conflict\, and communicate effectively during times of change and uncertainty.\nThe session will also address common workplace challenges such as resistance to change\, team disengagement\, communication breakdowns\, and burnout. Participants will leave with actionable techniques they can immediately apply to improve collaboration\, increase employee engagement\, and create a culture where people feel heard\, valued\, and empowered to perform at their best.\nWhether supervising a small team or leading a department\, attendees will gain practical communication skills that support stronger leadership and organizational excellence.\nLearning Outcomes\nBy the end of this session\, participants will be able to:\n1. Apply active listening and trust-building communication techniques to strengthen team relationships and engagement.\n2. Conduct difficult conversations with greater confidence while promoting accountability\, respect\, and positive outcomes.\n3. Use communication strategies that support change management\, prevent burnout\, and contribute to a healthy workplace culture.\n\n CATEGORIES:CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 3: Turner Valley\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:d07568bbf46abc4caebf92ab2f49d8c9 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/d07568bbf46abc4caebf92ab2f49d8c9 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T193000Z DTEND:20260819T203000Z SUMMARY:Removing Barriers\, Enhancing Success: Supporting Students with Visual Impairments DESCRIPTION:Purpose\nTo provide faculty and staff with practical strategies for improving the student experience of \nlearners with visual impairments by identifying and removing barriers to education. \nParticipants will explore how accessibility is a shared institutional responsibility and learn \nhow inclusive practices contribute to student engagement\, belonging\, retention\, and \nacademic success.\n\nRationale\nEvery student deserves equitable access to learning opportunities. As the college \nwelcomes an increasingly diverse student population\, faculty and staff are more frequently \nsupporting students with visual impairments. While accommodations play an important\nrole\, the overall student experience is shaped by the accessibility of our courses\, services\, \nlearning environments\, and institutional processes.\nThis workshop will encourage participants to view accessibility through the lens of the \nstudent journey—from admission through graduation—and provide practical strategies \nthat help create an environment where students can participate\, learn\, and demonstrate \ntheir knowledge with dignity and independence.\n\nLearning Outcomes\nBy the end of the session\, participants will be able to:\n• Recognize common barriers experienced by students with visual impairments \nthroughout the student journey.\n• Understand how accessible practices contribute to student engagement\, belonging\, \nand retention.\n• Identify the shared responsibilities of faculty\, staff\, and institutional services in \nsupporting learner success.\n• Apply practical strategies to improve accessibility in teaching\, assessments\, \ncommunication\, and student services.\n• Reflect on opportunities within their own roles to proactively remove barriers to \neducation CATEGORIES:STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUPPORT: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 2: Yukon\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:05b155c5c6c0a42ad21b32da3767bba9 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/05b155c5c6c0a42ad21b32da3767bba9 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T193000Z DTEND:20260819T203000Z SUMMARY:CSI: Makami DESCRIPTION:Join the tech team in a role-based cyber mystery where staff uncover what happened\, spot red flags\, and stop unsafe response choices before they spread!Learning Outcomes: By the end\, staff should be able to: \;o \;  \; \;Identify common warning signs of phishing\, impersonation\, urgent requests\, suspicious links\, and unsafe file-sharing requests. \;\no \;  \; \;Practice safe response behaviors: don’t click\, don’t forward sensitive data\, don’t use personal email\, report quickly\, and verify through official channels. \;\no \;  \; \;Understand that ransomware can involve data theft\, deletion\, operational disruption\, and recovery uncertainty\, not just a locked computer screen.  \;\n\n CATEGORIES:TECHNOLOGY: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 1: BC\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:f7928aa9413b7b91f896fe364c5cedc2 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/f7928aa9413b7b91f896fe364c5cedc2 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T203000Z DTEND:20260819T210000Z SUMMARY:Afternoon Break DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:BREAK LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:56a416c5050940bdaaf2e2c4ef77eab6 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/56a416c5050940bdaaf2e2c4ef77eab6 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T210000Z DTEND:20260819T220000Z SUMMARY:Cultivating Success Through Effective Mentorship and Psychological Safety DESCRIPTION:Session Description\nMentorship is not reserved for formal leadership roles\, it is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone to support learning\, growth\, and professional development. Whether developing future leaders\, supporting colleagues\, guiding students\, or sharing knowledge with peers\, effective mentorship creates stronger relationships\, greater confidence\, and a culture of continuous learning.\nThis interactive session explores the foundations of transformational mentoring\, emphasizing psychological safety\, trust\, accountability\, and intentional growth. Participants will learn how to create environments where individuals feel safe to ask questions\, take risks\, learn from mistakes\, and embrace vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. Drawing on Brené Brown's BRAVING framework\, attendees will explore practical strategies for building trust through boundaries\, reliability\, accountability\, integrity\, and generosity.\nThe session also introduces the GROW Model (Goal\, Reality\, Options\, Will) as a simple yet effective framework for mentoring conversations. Participants will learn how to use curiosity-driven questions\, active listening\, and structured goal setting to help others move from aspirations to meaningful action. Through discussion\, reflection\, and practical examples\, attendees will leave with tools they can immediately apply to foster growth\, develop talent\, and strengthen their communities.\nLearning Outcomes\nBy the end of this session\, participants will be able to:\nCreate an authentic mentorship relationship by creating safe environments for growthUtilize the BRAVING framework and clear mentoring boundaries to develop authentic\, trust-based relationships that support long-term professional developmentApply the GROW Model to structure mentoring and coaching conversations that promote growth\, accountability\, and meaningful action.Be empowered to create growth within the community of MaKami and beyond\n CATEGORIES:CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 2: Yukon\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:146a3332198118a9b3a3e29c58ce5222 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/146a3332198118a9b3a3e29c58ce5222 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T210000Z DTEND:20260819T220000Z SUMMARY:From Enrollment and Beyond- Fostering a Seamless Student Experience DESCRIPTION:Session Description:\nThis one-hour session will outline the complete student lifecycle and reinforces how every department contributes to student success.\nBeginning with lead generation\, participants will follow the student journey through the admissions process\, how campus tours work\, the enrollment process\, when a student is referred to an Assessment Coordinator\, when a student is referred to an Accessibility Coordinator\, at what point SALT would step in for support and finally proceeds into the classroom and the understanding that the support doesn’t end there – how faculty and other support departments such as IT\, Registrar etc have an impactful role on shaping the student experience and strengthens retention.\nThe session will highlight the critical role each team plays in creating a positive\, consistent experience that supports student retention\, and long-term success.\nI would hope that participants will gain a deeper understanding of how their work impacts both students and colleagues across the organization. The workshop emphasizes that student support does not begin or end with the Admissions teams—it is a shared responsibility that extends across every stage of the student experience. We can strengthen our communication\,  \;and awareness between departments to collaborate to help improve the student experience\, and ensure students get the support they need from inquiry to graduation.\nTakeaways:\nUnderstand of the complete student journeyRecognize the importance of cross-department collaborationIdentify opportunities for all to enhance the student experience.\n CATEGORIES:STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUPPORT: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 1: BC\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:e11efc7a2c64600ed78b97982166f8c8 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/e11efc7a2c64600ed78b97982166f8c8 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T210000Z DTEND:20260819T220000Z SUMMARY:The Missing Lesson in Education: The People Skills Behind Student Success DESCRIPTION:Session Description\n \;We spend years preparing educators to teach curriculum\, assess learning\, and manage classrooms. Yet one of the greatest influences on student success is rarely taught: the human skills that shape every interaction.\nWhether we are instructors\, educational assistants\, administrators\, advisors\, or support staff\, every conversation contributes to the student experience. A welcoming greeting\, a thoughtful response to a concern\, or the ability to remain calm during a difficult interaction can determine whether a student feels supported\, valued\, and capable of succeeding.\nThis interactive session challenges participants to rethink customer service as a human-centered approach to education rather than a business concept. Through engaging activities\, practical examples\, and real-world stories\, participants will explore how empathy\, curiosity\, communication\, emotional regulation\, and relationship-building create learning environments where students thrive.\nParticipants will leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen relationships\, improve student engagement\, reduce conflict\, and foster a culture where every interaction reflects care\, professionalism\, and respect. Because student success is shaped not only by what we teach\, but by how we make people feel throughout their educational journey.\nLearning Outcomes\nRecognize how everyday interactions influence student engagement\, belonging\, and long-term success.Apply practical people skills—including active listening\, empathy\, communication\, and problem-solving—to create positive educational experiences.Develop strategies to respond to challenging situations with professionalism while maintaining healthy boundaries and a student-centered approach.\n CATEGORIES:STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUPPORT: BREAKOUT LOCATION:Breakout Room 3: Turner Valley\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:906af012c8186d618496572e6928541c URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/906af012c8186d618496572e6928541c END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T220000Z DTEND:20260819T223000Z SUMMARY:Mixer: Network & Celebrate DESCRIPTION:\n- Casual networking \;\n- Prize draws and social wrap-up \;\n- \;Feature mocktail \; CATEGORIES:BREAK LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:4c88f160ae9c1b4055929a59137aed1d URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/4c88f160ae9c1b4055929a59137aed1d END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260820T012358Z DTSTART:20260819T223000Z DTEND:20260819T230000Z SUMMARY:Crew Huddle & Close DESCRIPTION:- Reflection: Start / Stop / Continue \;\n- Commitment to action \;\n- Closing remarks CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Main Ballroom\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, Canada SEQUENCE:0 UID:24d7b5a1fa32625eb50038ee527dce65 URL:http://impactconference2026.sched.com/event/24d7b5a1fa32625eb50038ee527dce65 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR