Our Events
break the mold
Across Canada, young adults are discovering a proven model that’s values-led, community-owned, and built for lasting impact. In a world where the future feels increasingly out of reach, this national conversation is about taking it back—redefining ownership, breaking down barriers, and equipping you with the power to shape what comes next.
Upcoming Events…
Your Future. Your Connections.
Connect with business leaders who put people first.
Ready to make connections that could shape your future career?
Join Business Not As Usual for an exclusive student networking event at the Alberta Co-operative Conference!
Meet leaders from UFA, Federated Co-operatives Limited, and more people-first businesses, alongside keynote speaker Juliet Kego, for an afternoon of meaningful conversations, career insights, and new connections.
Whether you're interested in business, finance, agriculture, energy, entrepreneurship, or community development, this is your opportunity to connect directly with experienced professionals, explore career possibilities, and discover organizations doing business differently.
Plus, we're making networking easier! Students will receive personalized connection recommendations based on their interests and career goals to help spark meaningful conversations.
Enjoy complimentary food, swag, and opportunities to win prizes throughout the afternoon!
Student Networking Event | Nov. 17
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Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM MST
Location: The Westin Edmonton, Edmonton, AB
Cost: FREE for post-secondary students ($50 ticket value)
Featuring: Keynote speaker Juliet Kego and leaders from UFA, Federated Co-operatives Limited, and The Co-operators
What's included: Executive networking, career conversations, complimentary food, swag, and prize opportunities.
Registration: Limited complimentary tickets available. Advance registration is required.
The Co-op Futures Challenge
National Case Competition
Why is one of the strongest business models hardly being used in Canada - and how can we change that?
The Co-op Futures Challenge is a national student challenge inviting post-secondary students to investigate this question, challenge assumptions, and develop practical ideas for the future of co-operation in Canada.
Working in teams of three, students will explore the systems and barriers behind the question, learn from co-operative sector leaders and mentors, and bring fresh perspectives to a conversation that matters.
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September - November 2026
Why aren’t co-operatives a mainstream business model in Canada—and how can we change that?
Students from across Canada are invited to take on this big question through research, systems thinking, and collaboration.
Teams of three will investigate the factors that influence the adoption of co-operatives in Canada and develop evidence-informed recommendations for change.
No previous co-operative experience is required. Students from all disciplines are welcome.
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August – September 20 — Registration
September 21–25 — Orientation
September 25 – October 25 — Mentorship + 3 Learning Sessions
October 25 — 5-Page Report Due
October 26–30 — Top 3 Finalists Selected
October 26 – November 17 — Finalist Preparation
November 17–18 — Alberta Co-operative Conference, Edmonton
November 18 — Final Presentations + Winner -
This is more than a competition. Students will have the opportunity to:
Build real-world skills in research, systems thinking, collaboration, and presentation
Learn from the sector through three learning sessions and mentorship
Build connections with co-operative leaders and other students
Bring a fresh perspective to a real challenge facing Canadian co-operatives
Compete for $3,000 in prizes
Present in Edmonton at the Alberta Co-operative Conference if selected as a finalist
No previous co-operative experience required.
Past Events…
Co-ops 101
a 3-part series
Business Not as Usual, partnered with Co-operatives First, is excited to host Co-ops 101 - a 3-part virtual series created to help young adults explore the world of co-operatives. These short, interactive sessions will give you the knowledge, tools, and real-world examples you need to get started.
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January 27, 2026 | 12pm MT
Get a clear, simple introduction to co-operatives: what they are, how they work, and why so many communities and industries rely on them. In this session, we’ll discuss the features that set co-ops apart, and how ordinary people use them to create jobs and accessibility to the goods and services they need.
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February 3, 2026 | 12pm MT
Learn what membership looks like, how co-ops make decisions, and the different ways you can get involved - as a member, volunteer, contributor, or employee. And, we’ll discuss the skills you can gain by serving on a co-op board or committee that will be valuable in your career.
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February 10, 2026 | 12pm MT
Have an idea for a co-op? This session will break down the first steps, and the resources available to accelerate your development. Whether you’re starting a co-op to provide housing, to grow your business, to create jobs, or to meet some other goal, we’ll provide a roadmap for you and your team.
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
Did you miss our last few virtual events? Check out the recordings here. These sessions are designed to educate and build excitement and awareness about the Co-op business model.
Own Your Future
Own Your Future Event - October 16, 2025
This event is a national movement reimagining what work, business, and community can look like for a new generation. In this virtual conversation, you’ll hear from change-makers across Canada who are challenging “business as usual” and showing how co-operatives offer real, tangible solutions to today’s biggest challenges - from unstable work and housing to climate change and community resilience.
The Co-ops 101 Series
Session 1: What is a Co-op? January 27, 2026
In this first session of Co-ops 101, Business NOT As Usual teams up with Co-operatives First to introduce the co-operative model and explore how co-ops work in practice. Designed for students, young professionals, and anyone co-op curious, this session breaks down the basics in a clear, approachable way.
Session 2: Getting Involved in a Co-op. February 3, 2026
In this second session of Co-ops 101, we’re back with Co-operatives First to explore what it actually means to get involved in a co-operative. This session highlights the different ways people can participate — from membership and employment to leadership and directing — and the skills gained along the way.
Session 3: How to Start a Co-op. February 10, 2026
In this third and final session of Co-ops 101 with Co-operatives First, we walk through what it takes to start a co-operative. This session focuses on the early-stage steps — from identifying a shared need and gathering a founding group to understanding feasibility, governance, and available supports — offering a practical roadmap for turning an idea into a member-owned enterprise.
The Co-op Futures Challenge
Learning Sessions
Session 1: Inside a Large Scale Co-op with FCL | Oct 1, 26
Get an inside look at how a large, successful co-operative operates and the role the co-operative model plays in its business. Hear from leaders at Federated Co-operatives Limited about their history, structure, approach to business, and what makes the co-operative model work at scale. The session will also connect their experience to the Co-op Futures Challenge question, giving students an opportunity to ask questions and explore ideas with industry leaders.
Session 2: Co-operatives in Action | Venue Co-op YVR & MCHB | Oct. 8, 26
Recording unavailable.
Session 3: Academic Panel | What’s Holding Co-ops Back? | Oct.15, 26
What will it take for the co-operative business model to become more mainstream in Canada? Join Stan Yu from the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives for a conversation with academics and educators working at the intersection of co-operatives, business, and education. The panel will explore the Co-op Futures Challenge question, including why co-operatives receive limited attention in post-secondary education, what the sector does well, where there are opportunities to improve, and what role students, educators, universities, and the co-operative sector can play in the future.
Own Your Future event —keynote speaker
david coletto
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, will share research-driven insights about what Gen Z and Millennials are feeling—about trust, power, and work—and why co-operative models are so well aligned with their values. He’ll help ground the event in data and imagination.