Vision Quest – From Vision to Reality
Vision Quest celebrated its 27th Conference & Trade Show in 2024, with over 1,600 participants and a sold-out Trade Show!
Vision Quest is proud of its reputation of successfully bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss and promote Indigenous business, community and economic development. At the heart of Vision Quest is the mission of encouraging sustainable Indigenous economic development, and the goal of the emergence of best business practices that support and synergize community and individual development.
Attendees are educated and entertained with two motivational keynote presentations, 14 interactive workshops including an empowering youth program, 100+ Trade Show exhibits, access to professional artists and entrepreneurial advice, cultural presentations and entertainment, continental breakfasts, lunches, refreshment breaks, networking opportunities, and a Wednesday evening Banquet.
Vision Quest continues to have a positive impact on the business community, our youth and the community-at-large. It provides information, encouragement and enlightenment. This event serves as an important celebration of both business and culture. Over the past 27 years, over 24,000 people have participated. We look forward to being able to gathering together once again in May of 2025.
The Vision Quest Conference & Tradeshow includes
- Networking with nearly 1,000 delegates, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers
- Interactive workshops and motivational keynote presentations delivered by business, cultural and industry leaders and role models
- Empowering Youth Program
- 100+ Trade Show Exhibits
- Business Advice for Entrepreneurs
- First-hand Experience with Professional Artists
- Cultural Presentations and Entertainment, Continental Breakfasts, Lunches and Refreshment Breaks
- Dragon’s Quest Business Plan Competition Finals
- Prize Draws
- Opportunity to meet with and share experiences with Elders in our Elders’ Corner
- Opportunity to register for Pre-Conference Certification Courses
- Opportunity to purchase tickets to the Conference Banquet with renowned entertainment
Our Delegates
While many of our delegates travel from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and Alberta, Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs from as far away as Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the U.S.A. have also participated. Our delegates include: Indigenous business owners and operators; Indigenous youth; community leaders; economic development officers; investors and financial institutions; government and corporate representatives; business and community service providers; individuals or businesses interested in working with Indigenous communities.
Our History
Vision Quest has welcomed keynote presenters, workshop leaders and performers such as: first Inuk player in the NHL Jordin Tootoo; Grey Cup Champion and Community Leader JR LaRose; Actor/Musician/Motivator Mo Brings Plenty; Olympian/Activitst Waneek Horn-Miller; Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada/Author Jody Wilson-Raybould; Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Susan Aglukark; Entrepreneur and Author Kendal Netmaker; Actor/Comic/Activist Candy Palmater; former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup winner and Olympic Gold Medallist Theoren Fleury; actors Lorne Cardinal, Michelle Thrush, Tantoo Cardinal, Eric Schweig, Adam Beach, Wes Studi; recording artists Inez Point, Crystal Shawanda, Buffy Saint-Marie; Canadian Boxing Champion Ralph “Junior” Moar; actor/singer Tom Jackson; environmental activist David Suzuki; and comedian Don Burnstick.
Our Partners
Vision Quest Conference Inc. is a consortium of five Manitoba Indigenous Community Futures Economic Development Corporations: Cedar Lake, Dakota Ojibway, Kitayan, North Central, and Southeast. Formed in 1997 to host the annual Conference, Vision Quest remains a high quality, well respected annual event focussing on Indigenous business, community and economic development, by providing opportunities for learning, networking, information sharing and partnership building
The five partner CFDC organizations each have one representative on the Vision Quest Board of Directors. These founding organizations continue to play an integral role in our planning and success. Each September, the Board and coordinators meet with a facilitator to review the mission and goals of the organization, the previous year’s final event report and evaluation summaries from delegates, exhibitors, speakers and volunteers. This is the basis on which the planning for the subsequent year is developed. In addition, the Board reviews current issues facing Indigenous communities which may affect session topics.
