Fall Convention & Tradeshow

2026

About the Fall Convention

The RMA hosts two conventions per year, one in spring and one in fall, at the Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Each convention sees a variety of plenary addresses and workshops, as well as the ministerial forum and resolutions session. In addition to these events, the fall convention hosts the opposition party leader panel, as well as our RMA Board elections. The RMA and Canoe Tradeshow is held during the fall convention to better serve our members as they go through the budget process within their municipalities.

The RMA 2026 Fall Convention and Tradeshow will take place November 2-5 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. 

Registration is now open. 

Convention Mobile Site

While you’re at the event, get up-to-date information on our Convention mobile site!

Registration

Registration Ticket Types (please note, prices below do not include GST):

  • RMA Full Members ($820): the 69 counties and municipal districts (see the map here). Full members can submit and vote on resolutions, participate in board elections, access advocacy services, and utilize business services programs.
  • RMA Full Member & EOEP Course ($1,245): attendees from the 69 counties and municipal districts who are also attending an EOEP course at the beginning of the Convention.
  • Associate Member/Guest/Other Organization ($1,045): Associate members are public sector and not-for-profit organizations such as healthcare providers, museums, school boards and educational institutions, electrification associations, airport authorities, seniors housing associations, and others. Associate members are able to utilize the RMA Insurance program as well as leverage cooperative procurement programs through the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada. RMA Guest/Other includes other Guests/Vendors/Sponsors.
  • Government ($995): Government staff or official who is GST Exempt and not affiliated with one of the 69 counties and municipal districts.
  • EOEP Course Only ($425): attendees who will only be attending an EOEP course, and not the following Convention dates. You do not need to be a full member to select this option.

Registration is now open

Agenda

The most updated convention agenda can be found here. Please note, the agenda is subject to change.

Resolutions

The resolutions that will be presented during the resolution session at the RMA 2025 Fall Convention are now available. Click here to view the resolutions that were submitted prior to the RMA’s resolution deadline. 

Emergent resolutions must be submitted prior to 4:00 pm on Monday, November 17, 2025. View more info here.

Tradeshow

The RMA & Canoe Tradeshow will take place Tuesday, November 3 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Join the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, meet RMA members, and share how your organization will ben­efit their municipalities. Click here to view our 2026 Tradeshow Exhibitor Guide

To register for a tradeshow booth, click here

For more information, please contact Ellen Kirkpatrick by email at ellen@rmalberta.com.

Tradeshow Contest Winners

To see if you are a winner of any of the contests or draws entered at the 2025 Tradeshow, open this PDF to look for your name! If you’re a winner, stop by the Registration Desk to pick up your prize.

Sponsorship Opportunities

A wide range of partnership opportunities are available at Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels at both our spring and fall events. Customized sponsorship benefit packages can also be developed in consultation with the RMA convention coordinator to meet your organization’s unique requirements. 

To explore sponsorship opportunities, visit our Sponsorship page.

Elected Officials Education Program (EOEP) Courses

The EOEP offers Alberta’s municipal elected officials professional development opportunities to help them effectively serve their communities.

With courses covering topics most relevant to elected officials, the EOEP ensures high-quality learning experiences. Each course is developed by subject matter experts and adult learning specialists, designed to provide valuable insights while respecting the limited time elected officials have for professional development.

The EOEP will offer the courses below during the RMA 2026 Fall Convention. When registering, select the applicable ticket type (EOEP Course Only or RMA Full Member & EOEP Course). Then you can select your desired courses when signing up for the convention.

For course attendance requirements and details on course registration cancellation policy, see the EOEP attendance and cancellation policy.

This year’s EOEP courses will be delivered on Monday, November 2, 2026. 

Understanding municipal finances is fundamental to the job of an elected official.  Municipal councils are expected to plan, govern and set policy for the best interests of their community.  Sound financial planning and management is key to supporting a healthy municipality that can ensure that its current and future service commitments are funded in a sustainable manner.
 
It is important that elected officials understand how financial planning and monitoring align with the municipality’s business cycle, including strategic planning, business planning and performance measurement.  Elected officials need to understand their role in establishing and prioritizing competing service level demands on behalf of citizens and then determine strategies to fund those service level commitments.
 

Course Cost: $425

Click here for the full course description and details.

Council decisions come to life through meetings, making meeting effectiveness a critical skill for every elected official.  This course explores how to prepare for and participate in meetings that are productive, transparent and respectful.  Participants will learn strategies for agenda management, procedural rules, and decision-making, as well as how to handle challenging discussions and maintain decorum.  The course also addresses the chair’s leadership role, how to use procedure bylaws effectively and ways to ensure meetings support sound governance rather than hinder it.

Course Cost: $425

Click here for the full course description and details.

Municipal councils are elected to make decision on behalf of citizens. However, in order to govern effectively and make decisions that are in the best interest of the diverse communities within municipalities, councils must be willing to consider the community’s perspectives and input when making decisions. The EOEP’s Council’s Role in Public Engagement course will provide an overview of the various ways municipalities can engage with citizens, how public input can be integrated into decision-making, the dangers and limits of involving the public in municipal decisions, and the importance of engagement in supporting sustainable community development.

Course Cost: $425

Board of Directors Elections

The RMA Board of Directors has staggered rotating board elections with three positions scheduled for election one year and four positions the next. Four RMA board positions were open for nominations as per the regular schedule for 2025: the Vice President and directors for District 2, District 3 and District 5. As a result of nominations received for the position of Vice President, a call for nominations for the position District 1 Director was issued for a potential one-year term. 

View the Declared Results & Candidates List here.

Convention Accommodations

For every upcoming convention there are room blocks that we recommend for those attending. Please visit our Accommodations page for all the important information for booking your stay.

Convention Code of Conduct

The RMA is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and harassment free environment for all persons attending events hosted by the association, including conventions, tradeshows, meetings, and networking events. The Event Code of Conduct sets the tone and direction of conduct and ethical behavior that could be perceived as damaging to the trust and confidence of members, suppliers, members of government and the general public. The RMA expects all attendees to behave in a professional and respectful manner.

Call for Breakout Session Proposals

Breakout sessions are a highlight of RMA conventions, as they present an important opportunity for members to learn about and discuss key issues. RMA aims to deliver sessions that support the effective operation of municipalities and speak to the roles and responsibilities of local leaders.

RMA is currently seeking breakout session proposals. While priority will be given to proposals from full RMA members, submissions from non-members will also be considered if the content is relevant to the municipal context.

Proposals are welcome on an ongoing basis and will be considered by RMA for future conventions*.

To learn more and submit a proposal for consideration for future conventions, visit our submission page.

*Note: submissions to be considered for Fall 2026 are due by EOD Wednesday, July 29th. Any submissions received after July 29th will be considered for 2027 programming. 

Future Fall Convention Dates

  • November 2 – 5, 2026
  • November 1 4, 2027

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Ellen Kirkpatrick, Event Coordinator, at 825.319.2387 or ellen@rmalberta.com.

Registration Desk Hours

Located at the Edmonton Convention Centre, Foyer, Hall D

Monday, November 4, 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
Thursday, November 7, 7:00 am to 12:00 pm

Tradeshow Registration Hours

Located at the Edmonton Convention Centre, Assembly Level

Monday, November 4, 2:00 to 6:00 pm
Tuesday, November 5, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, 5:00 to 6:00 pm