Birds and a feather
COMING
September 2025
ForT
McMurray

Securing
opportunities,
advancing
reach

NAABA's soar seminar series

Bring your business to the next level with seminars designed for, and delivered to our members!

Register

Seminar Topics

Choose one of three available ticket tiers, all of which are available for purchase when you reach out.

Laying the Foundation

Understanding Target Markets

Securing Our Future

Navigating Procurement

Funding Your Vision

Investment & Grant Strategies

Brand Building

Creating Brand Equity

Entrepreneurs learning in an in-person seminar
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Entrepreneurs learning in an in-person seminar
NAABA in the Community
Entrepreneurs learning in an in-person seminar
NAABA in the Community
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Schedule

Fall 2025 Seminars

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September 18
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Laying the Foundations: Understanding Your Target Markets

This foundational seminar focuses on establishing a clear understanding of the target markets for products and services. It emphasizes defining the core offering, articulating customer benefits, and critically evaluating the current pitch and competitive landscape. The session will guide participants through an opportunity analysis, including defining the offering market, identifying specific target markets and sub-segments, and determining the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM).

October 23
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Securing Our Future: Navigating Procurement

This seminar delves into the key aspects of industrial procurement from the buyer's perspective, focusing on how businesses can effectively navigate this process to become successful vendors. It covers the industrial procurement lifecycle, the importance of vendor management, and a look at types of Master Agreements. The session will also provide practical guidance on becoming an approved vendor to various entities, including Tier 1 industrial companies, Tier 2 suppliers, and government agencies, addressing key requirements such as terms and conditions, Safety, Quality Assurance. Finally, the seminar will equip participants with the knowledge to understand and effectively respond to RFQs and RFPs.

November 20
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Funding Your Vision: Investment & Grant Strategies

This seminar aims to equip NAABA members with an understanding of various funding and grant resources available to support their growth and development. The session will explore different investment funding sources, along with essential pre- and post-money considerations. A significant portion of the seminar will focus on grant funding opportunities specifically for Indigenous-owned businesses, covering the government grant application and award process, disbursements, and requisite reporting obligations, including a practical example of a grant application.

December 18
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Brand Building: Creating Brand Equity

This seminar focuses on the critical aspects of building and maintaining a strong brand identity that resonates with target audiences. The session will delve into defining a compelling value proposition, establishing brand identity assets, and strategically building brand equity. NAABA members will also learn about professional identity creation and the nuances of rebranding or refreshing their brand to better connect with specific target audiences. The seminar will cover navigating a brand refresh, including platform considerations, dissemination strategies, timing, and effective professional communication across multiple channels. The seminar will also touch upon the digital marketing funnel as a tool for brand building and customer engagement.

Winter 2026 Seminars

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February 19
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Laying the Foundations: Understanding Your Target Markets

This foundational seminar focuses on establishing a clear understanding of the target markets for products and services. It emphasizes defining the core offering, articulating customer benefits, and critically evaluating the current pitch and competitive landscape. The session will guide participants through an opportunity analysis, including defining the offering market, identifying specific target markets and sub-segments, and determining the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM).

March 19
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Securing Our Future: Navigating Procurement

This seminar delves into the key aspects of industrial procurement from the buyer's perspective, focusing on how businesses can effectively navigate this process to become successful vendors. It covers the industrial procurement lifecycle, the importance of vendor management, and a look at types of Master Agreements. The session will also provide practical guidance on becoming an approved vendor to various entities, including Tier 1 industrial companies, Tier 2 suppliers, and government agencies, addressing key requirements such as terms and conditions, Safety, Quality Assurance. Finally, the seminar will equip participants with the knowledge to understand and effectively respond to RFQs and RFPs.

April 23
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Funding Your Vision: Investment & Grant Strategies

This seminar aims to equip NAABA members with an understanding of various funding and grant resources available to support their growth and development. The session will explore different investment funding sources, along with essential pre- and post-money considerations. A significant portion of the seminar will focus on grant funding opportunities specifically for Indigenous-owned businesses, covering the government grant application and award process, disbursements, and requisite reporting obligations, including a practical example of a grant application.

May 21
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Brand Building: Creating Brand Equity

This seminar focuses on the critical aspects of building and maintaining a strong brand identity that resonates with target audiences. The session will delve into defining a compelling value proposition, establishing brand identity assets, and strategically building brand equity. NAABA members will also learn about professional identity creation and the nuances of rebranding or refreshing their brand to better connect with specific target audiences. The seminar will cover navigating a brand refresh, including platform considerations, dissemination strategies, timing, and effective professional communication across multiple channels. The seminar will also touch upon the digital marketing funnel as a tool for brand building and customer engagement.

Your questions answered

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When are the seminars taking place?
Seminars will be offered in two separate cycles, the first cycle begins Thursday, September 18th 2025. The second seminar cycle will begin Thursday February 19th - May 21st, 2026.
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How many seminars are there and must I attend all of them?
There are four seminars in the cycle with one seminar per month, resulting in a four-month cycle. It is not mandatory to attend all four seminars, however, it is highly encouraged to come and join us for all four seminars!
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Must I attend in person?
The first seminar cycle will be offered in person. Should remote attendance become available, NAABA will be sure to advise members of this option.
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Where do seminars take place?
Seminars are hosted at the NAABA office in Fort McMurray: 9917 Biggs Ave, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1S2
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Who is able to attend?
The SOAR series is designed for, and delivered to Certified Full Aboriginal Members of NAABA; this includes key designates/employees, specifically, individuals with a Business Development.
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Is there a cost to attend?
There is no cost to attend the SOAR series; this is included in the membership for Certified Full Aboriginal Members.
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Is registration required?
Yes, though there is no fee, we do appreciate that you register so that we can plan for the group and for activities within the seminar.
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What should I bring to the seminars?
No pre-work is required. The SOAR team will provide all that is needed the day of the session but rely on the experience and questions of the attendees to enrich our time together!

Reserve your Spot now

The SOAR series is proudly sponsored by NAABA and their commitment to quality education and programming which strengthen and unite the voices of Indigenous entrepreneurs in the Fort McMurray region.