Program and speakers - SilverTech Summit 2026
About the Summit
Strengthening Edmonton's aging innovation ecosystem.
SilverTech Summit is a community-based aging innovation event that creates a shared space where older adults, entrepreneurs, service providers, researchers, nonprofits and community partners can connect, learn, and build practical solutions for aging well together.
October 2, 2026
One-day summit · Fall 2026
9629 176 St NW, Edmonton, AB
Westend Seniors Activity Centre
300+ attendees
Seniors, innovators, professionals
Event Schedule
Program at a Glance
A look at how the day will unfold. Times and speakers will be refined as the program is confirmed.
Registration
Foyer & Exhibitor TablesExhibitor tables are open.
Opening Ceremony
Main GymLive-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
Welcome
- Karen MurdockPresident, Silver Longevity Business Association
Master of Ceremonies
- Dr. Haidong LiangCEO, Westend Seniors Activity Centre
Land Acknowledgement
- Billy MorinMember of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest
O Canada
- Performed by the Chinese Philharmonica Choir
City of Edmonton Welcome
- To be announced
Provincial Welcome
- To be announced
Federal Welcome
- Kelly McCauleyMember of Parliament for Edmonton West
Since We Last Met
Main Gym- Faith GrantTallawah Targeted Relief
The Real Experts
Main GymSenior panel + audience Q&A
Facilitator
- Folakemi (Kemi) OjoCEO and Founder, Heart to Care Home Care
Panelists
- Tracy RandSenior Entrepreneur
- Gladys LoongRetired Go-Go Senior
- Susan JanzenSinger and Podcast Host
Four Simultaneous Sessions
Judges for the Pitch Room and Prototype Lab have been selected. Attendees are welcome to come and observe any of the four sessions.
The Pitch Room
(The Boardroom)
A chance for senior judges to evaluate real products and ideas pitched live, with feedback that helps founders build with older adults, not just for them.
Facilitators
- John SutherlandDirector, Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation, NAIT
- Colin MacdonaldEntrepreneurship Advisor, NAIT | Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship
Prototype Lab
(Art Room)
A hands-on opportunity for older adults to give feedback on products still in development, not a sales demonstration or a pitch.
Facilitators
- Karteek (Mack) MackenaManager - AI Operations, Alberta Motor Association
- Sandra StabelFounder & CEO, Grey Cube Innovations
Isolated Seniors: Why It Matters and How Do We Reach Them?
(Main Gym)
Facilitator
- To be announced
Panelists
- Jay Pritchard
- Sabrina BradyInsight Psychological
- Arlene HuhnAlzheimer Society
AI: Friend or Foe?
(Games Room)
A plain-language look at artificial intelligence for older adults: what AI can and can't do, and what it means in your life with the products and services you may already use, will see coming, or may use in the future.
Speaker
- Sam JenkinsPunchcard Systems
Breakout Sessions Close
A few minutes to transition out of the four breakout rooms.
Lunch & Explore
Main Gym & MarketplaceLunch • Marketplace • Prototype Room • Pitch Room • Networking.
The Prototype Room and Pitch Room stay open during lunch — explore the Prototype Room, speak with innovators about their early ideas, and continue the conversations from the morning sessions.
To be announced
Main GymLive-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
- Dr. Haidong LiangCEO, Westend Seniors Activity Centre
What does it actually take to make aging in place real, not just a slogan?
Main Gym- Patty WicksonDirector of Research and Innovation, Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality
Since We Last Met
Main Gym- Sheila WillisFounder, Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative
Afternoon Break
Foyer & Exhibitor TablesA short break to recharge, stretch, and visit the exhibitor tables.
Since We Last Met
Main Gym- Farnaz KoubasiOccupational Therapist, Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science, NeuroViva
Elders and Knowledge Holders
Main Gym- Billy MorinMember of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest
Simultaneous Sessions
Attendees are welcome to join any of the sessions.
SilverTech Hub — Where the Silver Age Gets Built
(Main Gym)
A spotlight on the people and ideas building the silver economy — the same room that hosted Dr. Haidong Liang, Patty Wickson, and Sheila Willis. Karen Murdock announces the SilverTech Hub and introduces two of its founding partners.
Live-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
Speaker
- Karen MurdockPresident, Silver Longevity Business Association
Speakers
- Bhavya (Bee) JhaFounder & Marketing Strategist, BeeLoved Studio
- Rafael KrugFounder, Zero-Defect
Smartphone Skills
(Cafeteria)
Practical, hands-on help with everyday smartphone tasks, led by Joanne Swensrude of Know It Sooner Computer Learning.
Speaker
- Joanne SwensrudeOwner / Instructor, Know It Sooner Computer Learning
No One Left Behind Panel
Main GymNo One Left Behind looks at the growing number of older adults who risk falling through the cracks as our population ages, from seniors facing homelessness and complex health needs, to people excluded by mobility, cognitive, technological or systemic barriers. Bringing together perspectives from healthcare, innovation, artificial intelligence and accessibility, this panel asks how we design stronger systems around the realities of aging so that progress does not only benefit those who are already easiest to serve.
Live-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
- Karen MurdockFacilitator — President, Silver Longevity Business Association
- Dr. Haidong LiangCEO, Westend Seniors Activity Centre
- Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, MD, PhD, MPHProfessor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta; Past President, Canadian Medical Association
- Lisa LaferriereVice President, Strategy, Health Cities
- Joey TonFocus Research Domain Project Manager, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
- To be announced
- To be announced
Connection Commitments
Main GymHelp us capture what mattered most today so we can keep building SilverTech Summit for the community. Karen Murdock will guide the room through a short round of Connection Commitments, gathering the insights, stories, and next steps worth carrying forward.
Live-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
- Karen MurdockPresident, Silver Longevity Business Association
Pitch Prize & Prototype Prize
Main GymThe moment everyone has been waiting for — we reveal the winners of the Pitch Room and Prototype Lab prizes live at the summit.
Live-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
- Trixie RoweinPitch Room Prize Sponsor
- Prize sponsor — to be announcedPrototype Lab Prize
Closing Remarks
Main GymWe close the day together with reflections from our hosts, and Jay Pritchard shares the last word.
Live-streamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.
- Dr. Haidong LiangCEO, Westend Seniors Activity Centre
- Karen MurdockPresident, Silver Longevity Business Association
- Jay Pritchard — the last word
Building on last year's momentum.
- Updates from last year's participants and innovation projects
- Senior-led conversations
- Innovation and service showcases
- Practical demonstrations
- Community partner spotlights
- Research and aging innovation insights
- Opportunities for older adults to share feedback
- Senior entrepreneurs sharing their story
- Networking between seniors, entrepreneurs, service providers, researchers, nonprofits, and funders
Why It Matters
The best solutions come from listening first.
Too often, ideas for aging are designed without enough input from the people who will actually use them. SilverTech Summit changes that by putting older adults in the conversation early as advisors, testers, storytellers, and decision-makers.
From healthcare and home support to recreation, connection, safety, and everyday life, the best solutions come from listening first.
1M+
Alberta seniors projected by 2035
$8T
Projected global longevity economy revenues by 2030
96%
of older Canadians want to live independently as long as possible
3 in 5
adults 50+ say technology is not designed with their age in mind
From last year
Moments from the 2025 Summit
A look back at SilverTech 2025 in Edmonton - the speakers, conversations, and community that made the day.