We understand that change can bring about uncertainty and questions, and we welcome your thoughts and feedback. If you’d like to learn more about the transition or connect with our team, please email us at info@svialberta.org.
There are many ways to stay involved and support us:
The best way to stay connected is by subscribing to our newsletter. It’s where we share upcoming events, learning opportunities, community stories, resources, and other updates. You can also visit svialberta.org for the latest news and information.
Yes. Momentum will continue to steward the community.
Absolutely. SVI: Alberta is for anyone who believes business can be a force for good—or is curious about how it can be. You don't need to identify as a social enterprise or social venture to belong here. If you care about your employees, customers, community, local economy, or creating positive impact through your work, this community is for you.
Many things remain the same, including:
Yes! For the first time ever, we will be hosting SVI: Alberta – Calgary Edition (Oct 22-23, 2026). This will be a shorter, in-city version of the full SVI: Alberta experience. If you’re looking to continue connecting with your people, SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is a great place to start!
We’ve listened to feedback from our community and learned that many businesses prefer the flexibility to choose the events and opportunities that are most relevant to them. By moving away from an annual membership model, we’re aiming to make it easier and more affordable for people to stay engaged.
Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta is a unique community gathering that brings together social entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, charities, funders, and community leaders who are creating positive impact across Alberta.
The broader Social Venture Institute (SVI) was created by the Hollyhock Leadership Institute more than 30 years ago and is one of Canada’s longest-running gatherings for social entrepreneurs. Since 2019, we’ve proudly brought SVI to Alberta, creating a space for purpose-driven leaders from across the province to come together.
We believe bringing everything together under SVI: Alberta creates a clearer, more unified experience for our community. It makes it easier for people to find events and engage with our work, and allows us to focus our time and resources in one place. It also better reflects our work today, which now brings together purpose-driven leaders from across Alberta, rather than just Calgary.
While our identity is evolving, our commitment to building community, supporting purpose-driven organizations, and strengthening Alberta’s social venture ecosystem remains the same.
Momentum has stewarded the Be Local network since 2019. During that time, the community continued to evolve, with initiatives such as SVI: Alberta and the Living Wage Employer program becoming important parts of Be Local’s work.
Today, Momentum remains the steward of this work. As part of this transition, SVI: Alberta will become the new home for bringing purpose-driven leaders together, while the Living Wage Employer program will continue under Momentum.
No. As part of this change, the Be Local name and website will retire. SVI: Alberta will be our new home for bringing people together.
No. The Be Local community is moving to Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta. This transition represents the next chapter in our journey, not the end of it.
As part of this transition, you’ll begin to see changes in a few key areas:
Communications:
Programs & Events:
Membership and Directory:
Click the red 'Apply' button, fill in the application form and make your payment. Our team will review it and be in touch about our decision. If you are not accepted, we will issue you a full refund.
Please note that SVI: Alberta understands the importance of diverse voices and experiences. Therefore, we may make application decisions based on ensuring representation and inclusion of all identities, as well as having a balanced mix of smaller and more established organizations, social ventures and enabling organizations, etc.
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.
SVI: Alberta is for social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and impact-driven founders based in Alberta (and beyond) who are actively leading organizations and teams. You might be running a social enterprise, nonprofit, cooperative, or community-driven initiative — what unites all participants is a commitment to purpose beyond profit , and an openness to sharing & learning alongside others.
Occasionally, we may also invite leaders of ecosystem and enabling organizations, artists, or those with other expertise that crosses over into the social venture space.
SVI was created by and has been produced by the Hollyhock Leadership Institute for over 25 years with great success. Over the years, other SVI offerings have been developed and launched, including SVI Women, SVI 365, and our own offering, SVI: Alberta.
There are a couple organizations you may hear referenced. SVI: Alberta is hosted by Be Local, a network of values-based businesses in Calgary, and Be Local is housed within Momentum. Momentum is a community economic development organization that aims to create a thriving, resilient, local economy. By hosting SVI: Alberta, Be Local is able to connect its work to the broader social innovation ecosystem in Alberta and contribute to systems level change.
Yes. If you require financial support, there are sponsorship opportunities available. Please apply here.
The cost for SVI: Alberta 2025 is $575.00 (including GST) plus accommodation. This price includes access to all events, food, music as well as a BBQ along the river.
When you fill out the application form, you will be given the opportunity to indicate your preference(s). We will notify everyone of their assigned accommodation one month before the event.
Please tell us more by filling out this short form.
SVI: Alberta is a unique hybrid of conference, retreat, social gathering, and coming together of those on the forefront of social ventures in Alberta. You'll want to set up your out of office. Expect to learn, to be challenged, and to expand your ideas of what's possible through this intensive experience.
Over three days at Métis Crossing, you’ll:
**UPDATE**: On-site and off-site hotel accommodations are now full for 2025. New registrants have the following options for accommodations: RV site, tent campsite, shared Trapper's Tent.
Metis Crossing has a range of accommodation options, some with limited capacity. Please note that accommodations will not be assigned on a first come, first serve basis, but rather on a needs basis. While we will do our best to accommodate everyone’s top preference, we ask for patience, openness and understanding that we aim to be inclusive and accommodating to all.
PRICE FOR 2 NIGHTS
Tent Campsite (approximately $50 total)— You will need to bring your own tent and camping gear. Campsite amenities include a picnic table, fire pit and shared washroom with showers. Please be aware you will need to come prepared for fall camping.
RV Campsite (approximately $90 total)— These powered (30-AMP) RV Sites have no water hook-ups. You will need to fill your tank prior to arrival. Campsite amenities include a picnic table, fire pit and shared washroom with showers.
Trappers Tent (approximately $220 total)—All tents are situated with a view of the North Saskatchewan River. Each tent includes two sets of single bunk beds and a wood stove. To ensure you have a comfortable stay in the Trappers Tent, Métis Crossing recommends packing the following: Sleeping Bag / Bedding / Pillow, Flashlight / Lantern, Water bottle, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Matches /Firestarter, Axe / Hatchet, Camp Stove & Cookware and Camp Chairs
Single Dome (approximately $740 total)— These sky domes include a king bed, sleeping two comfortably. They also include transparent ceilings for star watching, running water, a bathroom, kitchenette, heated floors, air conditioning, and electricity.
Family Dome (approximately $880 total)—This larger dome includes a king bed, pull out couch, and a bunk bed, sleeping six comfortably. It also includes a transparent ceiling for star watching, running water, a bathroom, kitchenette, heated floors, air conditioning, and electricity.
Standard Lodge Guest Room (approximately $500 total)— Hotel room overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Bed size, number of beds, and layouts will vary
Executive Lodge Guest Room (approximately $720 total)— Hotel room overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Includes one king bed.
For additional information, you can visit https://thelodgeatmetiscrossing.com/accommodations/
This is not a typical conference with panels and business cards.SVI:Alberta is a genuine gathering of peers — filled with honest conversations, deep reflection, nature-infused connection, and strategic peer learning.You’ll leave with real relationships, vulnerable insights, and shared knowledge that help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
We strongly recommend attending all three days of SVI: Alberta to get the full experience and value—but we understand that as an entrepreneur, you might need to step out for a meeting or miss a session here and there. Just do your best to be as present as you can :)