The 27th Global Business Forum started in Banff, Alta., with sessions planned on global security, Canada–U.S. strains, AI and space travel.
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The 27th Global Business Forum began in Banff, Alta., with the conference theme “thriving in chaos” set against the backdrop of the Banff Springs Hotel and the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary.
Lois Mitchell, the former Alberta lieutenant-governor who co-chairs the forum, said participants have rarely seen the level of turmoil and disruption affecting the international order, framing the conference discussions around how business and leadership respond when stability is hard to sustain.
Conference sessions are scheduled to address a range of issues tied to current global uncertainty. Topics include global security and “strained Canada–U.S. relations,” reflecting the ways international politics can spill into trade, investment and supply chains.
The program also includes sessions related to space travel and artificial intelligence, indicating the forum’s focus on emerging technology and the strategic and economic effects of rapid innovation.
Among the speakers slated for the forum are Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen, former Canadian ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman, and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. Their participation points to an emphasis on both technological frontiers and cross-border diplomacy.
Executives from major Canadian organizations are also expected to share perspectives during the conference, including Shell Canada, Canadian National Railway Co. and Telus Corp. Their presence suggests a continued focus on how large employers and infrastructure-linked industries are navigating shifting conditions.
The forum is held annually, and this year’s gathering marks its 27th edition. It is occurring in an environment where international stability has become a prominent concern for governments and companies alike, and organizers have grouped that reality under the “thriving in chaos” theme as sessions get underway in Banff.
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