The EDGE+ Annual Conference was a transformative one-and-a-half-day experience that brought together 100+ HR professionals, leaders, and managers from across industries. Through expert-led panels, hands-on sessions, and interactive activities, participants gained practical tools, valuable insights, and meaningful connections to help drive change and build more inclusive and accessible workplaces.

Event Highlights:

• Free admission, including lunch and refreshments on Day 1, and refreshments on Day 2.
• Date & Time: January 20 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and January 21 (8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

What Attendees Experienced:

1. Knowledge & Tools: Participants walked away with practical strategies they could immediately apply to advance inclusion and accessibility within their organizations.
2. Engagement: Attendees took part in interactive polls, Q&A sessions, and open dialogue with leading experts.
3. Learning: The conference featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and innovative approaches to workplace inclusivity.
4. Networking: Participants connected with a diverse group of professionals and DEI-focused organizations committed to equity and inclusion.

What do people have to say?

The conference is really important to our community because it brings so many people together. They’re learning accessibility and diversity skills that they can implement within their office spaces. Not only are important conversations being had, but they’re being brought forth to teams, to HR, to finance, to everyone. And that is what makes a difference in our community.

— Jelise Keating, Speaker

We had the opportunity to play around with different musical instruments and kind of have a team building exercise. It was great to see how music can be incorporated to encourage team building, leadership styles and just an understanding of diversity and everyone’s differences. We also got to experience what is called the wheel of privilege… it showed the variety of different factors that make up somebody’s privilege, and somebody’s own struggles and barriers.

— Jordan Benge, Pioneer Construction

This has been a rewarding experience to engage with individuals and organizations who are all here with the right intent—the intent to make change within their workplaces. To me, that really drives me forward to bring these experiences into my organization to better help those that I support and serve, as well as to better support my staff.

— Jessica Bertuzzi, ICAN-CERD

Conference Program Overview

The conference unfolded over a day and a half and featured 13+ breakout sessions, inspiring panels, and engaging activities designed to spark change and foster inclusion.

Key Themes and Discussion Topics:

1. Accessibility and AODA Compliance
2. Inclusive Hiring and Workforce Development
3. Mental Health and Addictions in the Workplace
4. Unconscious Bias and Inclusive Communication
5. Digital Accessibility and Inclusive Technology
6. Physical Spaces and Workplace Design
7. Lived Experiences from Diverse Communities

Download the Program