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A major international conference took over the University of Calgary's main campus earlier this month, gathering hundreds of guests from around the globe. 

The  (GCEC) Conference is the world’s premier meeting of university-based entrepreneurship programs, drawing leaders, educators and innovators to share insights, spark collaborations and shape the future of entrepreneurial thinking. 

This year, the conference focused its lens on â€œResiliency and Inclusivity in Innovation,” a topical issue in entrepreneurship today. 

The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking hosted the conference, solidifying its role as a leader in entrepreneurship education. In serving as host, the Hunter Hub was honoured with the GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership award.

Conversations on resiliency and inclusivity in innovation

The conference featured three notable keynote speakers, including Olympian and alum Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, Calgary Wild FC CEO Lara Murphy and country music star Paul Brandt. 

During her keynote, Wickenheiser, BKin’13, MSc’16, Hon. LLD’18, MD’21, spoke about the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship.

“As an athlete, you’re an entrepreneur,” said the four-time Olympic gold medallist and Hockey Hall of Famer. “You learn a lot through sports that apply to entrepreneurship. It’s about being resilient, having that determination and doing the hard work. As athletes, we see opportunities, and I believe that entrepreneurs are similar.”

Wickenheiser doubled down on the sentiment for women looking to break into male-dominated fields. 

“Working in a male-dominated field, like the NHL, you develop thick skin, and you learn not to listen to the critical opinions of others,” she said.

Murphy echoed this sentiment. “Girls who play sports are women who lead,” she said during her fireside chat.

Calgary Wild FC is one of the founding teams in Canada's first professional women's soccer league. The club is deeply rooted in Calgary’s culture and community, making Murphy, as its CEO, an excellent example of ingenuity in the city. Entrepreneurial in nature, she is also the founder of Ryan Murphy Construction, the only female-owned commercial construction firm in Calgary.

Both speakers shared their stories, speaking to the entrepreneurial journey and sharing what has helped them along the way. 

Wickenheiser said she finds strength in her inner circle. 

“Surround yourself with truth-tellers, those that will always be honest with you," she said. "Unfortunately, it’s not an easy road. It’s important to be gentle with yourself.”

Brandt, a Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer, philanthropist and the most awarded male Canadian country artist in history, spoke about the Art of the Pivot, as adapted from his TEDx Talk. 

“One of the things you can guarantee in life is that you can’t guarantee anything,” he said. “It’s about taking what’s coming your way and turning it into something of value. One thing I would do before starting anything creative is ask, ‘What does the world need?’ and I think that’s a great place to start.

“I hope people leave this conference knowing that, no matter what you come up against, there’s always a direction you can move.”

A celebration of Calgary 

During the conference, attendees got the chance to see the best of the Calgary region. 

On the first day, attendees venturing to Banff for a full day of activities experiencing the magic of the Rockies. From taking in Lake Louise to exploring the streets of downtown Banff, attendees got a true Albertan welcome. 

UCalgary also offered an excursion to Drumheller, the famous Dinosaur Capital of the world. And, for those who wanted to experience city life in Calgary, an afternoon bike tour took in the ultimate tour of Blue Sky City. 

Later that evening, the opening reception for the conference was held at the BMO Centre. Honouring long-standing tradition, the celebration kicked off with a white hat ceremony, followed by line dancing. 

Throughout the rest of the conference, events were held at Calgary landmarks like Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre, and the TELUS Spark Science Centre.

Calgary on a global stage

The conference was a valuable opportunity to showcase how Calgary’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to grow, cementing the city as the perfect place for entrepreneurial aspirations. 

“There’s something special happening in Calgary,” says Hunter Hub executive director Guy Levesque, who led a session on the virtuous circles of entrepreneurship. “The community here is so dynamic, and we’re taking advantage of the tremendous momentum we’ve seen and built over the last few years. Calgary is one of the best places to start your entrepreneurial journey.”

The GCEC conference brought in more than 300 universities and ecosystem partners, with 16 countries represented from Oceania and Europe to Southeast Asia. 

This global reach is a milestone for UCalgary, says conference chair Kurt White, social innovation specialist at the Hunter Hub.

“Hosting GCEC spotlights the University of Calgary, and particularly the Hunter Hub, as a leader in entrepreneurship education globally,” says White, MBA'23. “This conference is a collection of our peers across the globe and having them come into our city really highlights the emphasis and commitment that our city and campus community embodies when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Much of this success can be attributed to Calgary’s inclusive community, he says. 

“Calgary’s secret sauce is how open everyone is to collaboration,” White says. “We’re a community that strives to work together, grow together and learn together. The key word there is ‘together.’”

Brandt expressed a similar thought: “You’re literally a phone call away from anyone who can provide a solution or be helpful. Calgary tends to be that kind of community."

A milestone for UCalgary

Looking ahead, Levesque is excited to see Calgary’s entrepreneurial community continue its growth trajectory. 

“We’re seeing a community and next generation of leaders who are really forging their own path, determining their own future and developing an entrepreneurial mindset,” he says.

Levesque says this momentum will not only benefit UCalgary, but the country at large. 

“Being an entrepreneur is one way to ensure that Canada is resilient for many years to come," he says. "Entrepreneurial thinking is helping Canadians create, build and scale, right here in Canada. There’s no better moment to do that then right now.”