Welcome to Illuminate,
AECPCN’s Early Childhood Conference! 

Welcome to our Illuminate Early Childhood conference, where fantabulous speakers await to ignite your passion for early childhood education! Our lineup is not just impressive but truly extraordinary, featuring a diverse array of voices, knowledge and experiences. These insightful leaders are excited to share their insights, engage with you, and learn from your perspectives. Prepare yourself for a journey of inspiration, connection, and emotion as we come together to Illuminate Early Childhood!

Event Information

Event Schedule

7:30 – 8:30 

8:30 – 9:00 

9:00 – 10:30 

10:30 – 11:00

11:00 – 12:30

12:30 – 1:30

1:30 – 3:00

3:00 – 3:30

3:30 – 4:00

4:00 – 4:30

4:30 – 5:15

5:15 – 5:30

Doors Open/Light Breakfast

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement 

Session 1: Reconnecting with My Why (with Sherry Duncan)

Social Networking Break

Session 2: Success-Energy Equation (with Michelle Cederberg)

Lunch 

Session 3: The Heroes of Our Time (with Richard Cohen)

Social Networking Break 

Appreciation Ceremony

Entertainment 

Illuminate Play Awards/ Games & Prizes

Closing Thank You Speech

Photo and Video Consent and Release

By attending the Illuminate Conference, you consent to Alberta  Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), or anyone authorized by AECPCN, capturing and using your image and likeness in photographs and videos for promotional, educational, and informational purposes. This includes usage across various platforms such as print media, websites, and social media. This consent is granted indefinitely, and you waive any right to inspect or approve the materials featuring your likeness. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event staff upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. For questions or concerns, please contact Tina Geers at tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Menu

Coming Soon!

Venue

Wyndham Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre
4440 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton AB

Parking / Bus Routes

Complimentary surface and heated underground parking.

Certificates

Attendees will receive an electronic certificate of participation, with 6 hours of professional learning, AFTER the conference upon completion of the post-conference feedback survey. Please keep an eye on your emails for our post-conference email!

Event Schedule

Photo and Video Consent and Release

By attending the Illuminate Conference, you consent to Alberta  Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), or anyone authorized by AECPCN, capturing and using your image and likeness in photographs and videos for promotional, educational, and informational purposes. This includes usage across various platforms such as print media, websites, and social media. This consent is granted indefinitely, and you waive any right to inspect or approve the materials featuring your likeness. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event staff upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. For questions or concerns, please contact Tina Geers at tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Menu

Coming Soon!

Venue

Wyndham Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre
4440 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton AB

Parking / Bus Routes

Complimentary surface and heated underground parking.

Certificates

Attendees will receive an electronic certificate of participation, with 6 hours of professional learning, AFTER the conference upon completion of the post-conference feedback survey. Please keep an eye on your emails for our post-conference email!

Exhibitor Journey Map

Participants will be given an ‘Exhibitor Journey Map’, a stamp card for visiting our exhibit vendors, for a chance to win a selection of exciting door prizes. To enter the draw, simply visit each exhibit to collect stamps on your card. Once your card is fully stamped, submit it at our door prize table to enter the draw and increase your chances of winning!

Door Prizes

Simply by attending this event, you will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of our amazing door prizes! Want more chances to win? Play some games with us!

Stay tuned to get a glimpse of some of the door prizes at the Illuminate conference this year!

COMING SOON!

Illuminate Play Award

Welcome to our first Annual Illuminate Play Award!

This award is offered to an exceptional Early Childhood Professional in Alberta,  based on their dedication to being an Early Childhood Professional and advocating for Children’s Right to Play!

Learn more here

Entertainment

Get ready to go beyond the ordinary conference experience and immerse yourself in the awe and wonder of our extraordinary entertainment!

Stay tuned for more information!

Vendors, Sponsors & Donations

The Illuminate conference is even more fantabulous with the support and collaboration of these amazing people and organizations. Click on the following links to learn more.

Exhibit Vendors

Sponsors

Donations

Volunteers

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our upcoming conference a success! If you’re interested in gaining experience, networking, and being part of an exciting event, we’d love to have you on our team.

Sign up today and join us!

Event Organizers

A huge thank you to our incredible Play Leaders and ECEs for their dedication in organizing this conference and making it a fantabulous experience for everyone! Your countless hours of planning and preparation haven’t gone unnoticed. We deeply appreciate your commitment to our profession and your passion for Play!

  • Tina Geers (Edmonton)
  • Sherry Duncan (Fort McMurray)
  • Shirley Rempel (Coaldale)
  • Sharon Ness (Calgary)
  • Diane Ellendt (Sherwood Park)

About AECPCN

Discover the Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN) here. Exciting Play opportunities are on the horizon for Albertan ECEs as we expand our non-profit and advocacy efforts. Our goal is to deepen the understanding of the importance of Play and inspire ECEs across Alberta to increase their knowledge of Play and embrace Play in their professional practices.