Estevan is gearing up to host the ICED Rural Conference 2025, a national event focused on rural innovation under the theme Energy and Education. Returning for its third year, the conference will take place from September 23 to 24 at Affinity Place, bringing together 300 to 500 innovators, educators, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders from across Canada.
This year’s event will feature a Rural Innovation Exhibit showcasing real-world solutions in energy technology and rural education. A Rural Pitch Competition will also highlight new ideas from Saskatchewan entrepreneurs and innovators. Conference sessions will address bridging the digital divide, building talent pipelines, and advancing Indigenous-led investment and clean energy opportunities.
The event is co-hosted by Southeast Techhub along with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network, Southeast College, and the University of Regina.
Executive director Gordon More of Southeast Techhub said the conference reflects the need to create opportunities for young people to remain in the region. He noted that Estevan and the southeast are already producing world-class talent in engineering, technology, and innovation, and the conference will help showcase those strengths.
Speakers include Dr Michael Wagner, who is developing a process to convert Estevan’s lignite coal into graphite for battery use, and Lisa McBride with GE Vernova and SaskPower, who will discuss the role of small modular reactors. Other presenters will represent the University of Regina, Suncrest College, Southeast College, Enbridge, and the Battery Metals Association of Canada.
The conference follows on the success of this spring’s Critical Resources and Innovative Technologies event in Estevan, which brought together experts in critical minerals and included a memorandum of understanding between Southeast Techhub, Southeast College, and the University of Regina to strengthen collaboration in applied research.
The ICED Rural Conference runs September 23 and 24 at Affinity Place in Estevan. Tickets and accommodation details can be found at icedconference.ca.