Ottawa to host AFOA Canada National Conference 2023

Ottawa will host more than 1,000 delegates from AFOA Canada (formerly known as Aboriginal Financial Officers Association) during their National Conference from February 14-16, 2023

AFOA Canada was founded as a not-for-profit association in 1999 to help Indigenous people better manage and govern their communities and organisations through a focus on enhancing management, finance and governance practices and skills. AFOA Canada’s premise is that one of the keys to successful self-determination — creating a better life for Canada’s Indigenous people and a better future for the next generation — lies in improving the management skills of those responsible for the stewardship of Indigenous resources.

AFOA Canada’s National Conference is an opportunity to bring members and leading experts together to learn, share knowledge and build relationships that are beneficial for all and in particular promote excellence, best practice and professionalism in Indigenous communities and organisations.

After more than 20 years in operation, AFOA Canada has become the centre for excellence and innovation in Indigenous management, finance, and governance. It is the only organisation in Canada that focuses on the capacity development and day-to-day needs of those Indigenous professionals who are working in all areas of management, finance, band administration, leadership and program management.

AFOA Canada recognised a number of key benefits to hosting their 2023 event in Ottawa, which included the city’s focus on communities, its position as Canada’s capital and a repositioning and renewed focus from 2023 on Indigenous Tourism.

The 2023 event will see more than 1,000 delegates visit Ottawa for 1,600 room nights, peaking at 500 room nights of the core conference days.

Terry Goodtrack, president and CEO of AFOA Canada, said: “I am delighted to be holding our flagship 2023 event in Ottawa. The team have worked hard to ensure the perfect programme for our attendees, whilst closely supporting the association, our board and team throughout the planning process, which included postponing the event from 2022 and providing financial recommendations and support where needed. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa is the perfect place for us to return to face-to-face events and I look forward to welcoming our members next February.”

“This win for Ottawa Tourism once again demonstrates the success of our desire to first build relationships with people; securing business comes at a later date,” comments Julie Clement, Manager, Business Events, Ottawa Tourism. “We first met Terry at a networking event and started to create a friendship that developed over time. Our attitude is not about pressure but recognising the fact that the city sells itself, we just have to open the doors and give people the opportunity to get to know what is on offer.

The 2023 AOFA Canada National Conference will make use of the Shaw Centre, with the Westin Ottawa serving as the host hotel and with the involvement of the Novotel Ottawa and Les Suites Hotel Ottawa.