Community isn't built by accident; it's built by the people willing to show up, share what they know, and put their ideas on the table. This fall, we're bringing those people together for an evening of insight, energy, and honest connection at The Quarter, Edmonton's industrial-chic event space on Whyte Avenue.
When: October 29, Doors at 6:30pm (MDT)
Where: The Quarter (10332 Whyte Ave NW, Edmonton, AB)
Tickets: $25 for Connect+ Members | $40 for General Admission
Every ticket includes one drink ticket. Additional drinks available for purchase — Glass of wine $8, Mocktails $5
What To Expect:
6:30pm — Doors Open
Grab your first drink, on us, one drink ticket included with every entry and settle into the space before the program kicks off.
7:15pm — The Panel: What It Really Takes to Build Community
There's a version of building a business where you're constantly chasing customers. Then there's a version where you build community and the sales, the word of mouth, the momentum, all follow naturally. In a season where Edmonton has watched a lot of storefronts close, that difference matters more than ever. The businesses still thriving aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets, they're the ones who found their people.
Join us as we talk with four experts who've built community within their own small businesses in different ways for a candid, moderated conversation about what's genuinely working right now.
7:45pm — Pitch Room: Live
Then the mic turns over to the entrepreneurs. Two members pitching a new idea, a challenge, or a project they're stuck on, followed by time for real feedback from the room. This is your first look at YBB's Pitch Room, our new recurring membership series launching this fall.
Bring your next big idea, a challenge you're working through, or simply come to listen and learn.
Pitch Room is a space for honest feedback, thoughtful questions, and fresh perspectives from entrepreneurs who genuinely want to help you move forward. No harsh critique, no empty praise, just people who've been exactly where you are, showing up for each other.
8:15 to 9:30pm — Network & Mingle
Program wraps, but the night doesn't. Stick around in The Quarter to keep the conversation going, grab another drink, and connect with the room.
Meet our Panellists:
Annee Ngo | Founder, Hearth Cowork & Cowellness
Annee Ngo is the founder of Hearth Cowork & Cowellness, an Edmonton-based community space reimagining how we work, gather, and care for ourselves and one another.
Her career has spanned startups, technology, ecosystem development, and community building, with a consistent focus on bringing people, ideas, and opportunities together. She created Hearth as a response to a simple question: what would it look like to build spaces that support not only productivity, but belonging, wellbeing, and meaningful connection?
Today, Hearth is home to a growing community of coworkers, facilitators, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and neighbours who gather to work, create, learn, and care for one another. Annee is also exploring how the principles behind Hearth can extend into housing and community development, creating places designed around the way people actually want to live.
Dr. Jenny McAlister | Founder of Strathearn Psychology, Producer of the Strathearn Art Walk & Community and Business Leader
A passionate Edmontonian, Jenny is a psychologist, entrepreneur, and community builder committed to creating spaces where people and communities can thrive. She is the founder of Strathearn Psychology, a group psychology practice providing counselling, training, and supervision while creating opportunities for the next generation of mental health professionals.
Jenny’s commitment to community extends well beyond her work in psychology. Since 2012, she has led the Strathearn Art Walk, helping grow the grassroots neighbourhood event into one of Edmonton’s largest free arts festivals, bringing together hundreds of artists, musicians, volunteers, and thousands of visitors each year.
An entrepreneur at heart, Jenny is also a partner in River Valley Company, supporting locally rooted hospitality businesses and the creation of gathering places that contribute to Edmonton’s river valley and surrounding communities. Across her work in psychology, business, education, governance, and the arts, Jenny is driven by a belief in the power of people, opportunity, and community to make Edmonton an even better place to live.
Jay Downton | Founder of The Nation Network & President of Oodle Noodle
A passionate Edmontonian, Jay is committed to playing a role in helping make Edmonton a 'Global 10'. In 2007, he co-founded The Nation Network, now Canada’s leading digital sports media brand. In 2010, Jay was appointed President of Oodle Noodle, applying the skills he learned from specializing in franchise financing at ATB, for which he was awarded the President’s Award in 2010 for highest corporate sales in his position. Since taking the helm, his guidance has led Oodle Noodle to become a 17-store local chain.
Jay’s passion for Edmonton and its river valley led him to be one of the co-owners of Little Brick Café. This became the catalyst to fuel Jay and his team to help build more river valley amenities, which led to the creation of River Valley Company, which aims to play a part in building more community amenities and support the development of outdoor tourism in the river valley.
Danielle Dugan | Founder, Etched In Marketing
Danielle Dugan is the founder of Etched In Marketing, a marketing company based in Edmonton, Alberta. With nearly a decade of experience helping small businesses and organizations strengthen their marketing and communications, Danielle specializes in creating meaningful connections between brands and the people they serve.
Alongside her work with Etched In Marketing, Danielle is part of the team behind YBB Connect, a community supporting women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs. Her experience in marketing, community-building, and relationship-driven communication has shaped her belief that the most effective marketing goes beyond content and visibility to build genuine trust, connection, and lasting relationships.