Why Forward Summit Is One of the Most Trusted National Gatherings for Indigenous-Led Economic Change
“Forward Summit is more than a conference. It’s a connected community of Indigenous excellence, collaboration, and economic leadership.”
As an Indigenous business owner, your time is your most valuable resource. You’re building something bigger than yourself—balancing operations, navigating funding, serving your community, and thinking generationally. Every meeting, every project, every investment has to count. When it comes to choosing which events to attend, you need more than just good intentions. You need outcomes.
With a growing number of conferences, summits, and forums to support Indigenous inclusion, economic reconciliation, and procurement pathways—it’s getting harder to separate promises from real potential.
That’s why where you show up matters.
You deserve spaces where your business is valued, where your insight drives the conversation, and where relationships can turn into real contracts, partnerships, or support. That’s what Forward Summit is designed to deliver—not just inspiration, but impact.
At Forward Summit, we don’t only talk about inclusion—we walk alongside Indigenous businesses to build tangible opportunities. With nationwide reach, over seven years of experience, and a trusted reputation across sectors, it’s where Indigenous entrepreneurs grow their visibility, their networks, and their bottom line.
Here’s why Forward Summit could be the right move for your business in 2025:
1. Indigenous Prosperity Is More Than a Talking Point—It’s a Strategic Priority
We don’t discuss economic reconciliation—we build pathways for Indigenous businesses to be seen, contracted, and supported. If your business is ready to grow, diversify revenue, or access new procurement channels, this is where those opportunities begin.
2. Lead the Conversation—Don’t Just Listen to It
Forward Summit is one of the few national platforms where Indigenous professionals aren’t just showing up—they are leading. This is your chance to influence policy discussions, market trends, and procurement strategies that directly impact Indigenous businesses.
3. Stronger Networks Lead to Bigger Opportunities
Relationship-building is business development. At Forward Summit, you’ll connect with Indigenous changemakers, corporate buyers, policymakers, and ecosystem partners who are actively looking to engage with Indigenous vendors and collaborators.
4. Visibility Matters—And This is a National Stage
If you’re looking to expand outside your region, raise your profile, or build brand trust, Forward Summit offers a credible, Canada-wide platform. Our attendees include private and public sector leaders who are looking for exactly what you offer.
5. Showing Up Is Strategic
You don’t have to agree with every panel. But showing up—whether on stage, in the room, or at the networking table—positions you as a leader. It signals that Indigenous businesses aren’t just ready to participate—you’re here to lead, you’re thriving and you are leading the way.
Forward Summit is more than a conference. It’s a connected community of Indigenous excellence, collaboration, and economic leadership. If you’re ready to scale your impact, grow your relationships, and take your place in shaping what economic reconciliation looks like—we hope to see you there.
About The Connect Partnership Group
The Connect Partnership Group is Canada’s national Indigenous events organization and the premier leader in Indigenous engagement. As an Indigenous-led firm, we are dedicated to advancing Indigenous prosperity through economic reconciliation and the implementation of Call to Action 92 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
We serve as a catalyst for sustainable growth by connecting industry leaders, businesses, and Indigenous communities across Canada. Our flagship event, Forward Summit, is Canada’s leading Indigenous business conference, bringing together senior leaders, Indigenous businesses, and industry stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and build a more inclusive economy. At The Connect Partnership Group, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of progress, and we are committed to creating opportunities that empower Indigenous communities and foster shared prosperity.
For more information, visit www.theconnectgroup.ca.
