TOGETHER WE SHIFT, TOGETHER WE THRIVE

Mount Royal University’s Institute for Community Prosperity and ATCO’s SpaceLab are excited to announce the Banff Systems Summit, taking place May 19-22 at the Banff Centre. The Banff Systems Summit exists to amplify the use of systems thinking across sectors and many fields of work, in order to shift complex problems and create positive and sustainable change. The Summit aims to

1 Offer space that welcomes students, educators, practitioners and the curious to share and learn about work and tools that are contributing to positive systems change.

2 Celebrate and learn from the perspectives and work of students, including all of the students participating in Map the System Canada; and

3 Create a community of individuals and resources that may share and learn from each other outside the Summit.

"Together We Shift, Together We Thrive," speaks to the collective journey toward a more regenerative, resilient tomorrow.

The Banff Systems Summit welcomes post-secondary students from across Canada, practitioner-changemakers from multiple sectors, and a select number of international participants. Over the course of four immersive days, participants will experience keynotes, plenaries, panel discussions, skills-focused workshops, walkabouts, and networking activities, all designed to foster meaningful connections and inspire innovative thinking.

This Summit creates a unique space where students, educators, practitioners, and the curious can share and learn about tools and work contributing to positive systems change. We celebrate and learn from the perspectives of students, including those participating in Map the System Canada, and offer a platform to explore real-world applications of systems thinking in addressing the complex challenges we face today—such as housing crises, political polarization, and global conflicts.

At its core, the Banff Systems Summit is about building a thriving community where individuals and resources come together not just during the event but long after. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in deep, rich, generative conversations that lead to new insights, better questions, and purposeful pathways for leadership and action.

Join us in May 2025 to shift perspectives, celebrate, and thrive together.

Call for Sponsorships

Help drive transformative change by sponsoring the Banff Systems Summit, a gathering of leaders and changemakers committed to addressing complex global challenges. With our theme, "Together We Shift, Together We Thrive," this event offers sponsors brand exposure, networking opportunities, and alignment with impactful systems-thinking initiatives.

Join us to empower communities to thrive. Connect with us today to explore sponsorship opportunities!

If you are interested in sponsoring, email Ashley Dion, our Systems Learning Lead adion@mtroyal.ca.

Learn more from the sponsorship package

Call for Proposals

We’re calling for proposals and ideas that push boundaries, whether you’re from academia, government, industry, non-profits, or grassroots communities. All stages of development are welcome—from emerging concepts to polished projects. Bring your ideas with workshops, interactive sessions, panel discussions, case studies, or any creative format that sparks dialogue and innovation.

Submit your proposal by December 9th by emailing Ashley Dion, our Systems Learning Lead adion@mtroyal.ca.

To make this process easier for you, we have outlined some tips on how to write a session proposal for the Banff Systems Summit below.

What makes a great proposal?

We’re looking for interactive, engaging sessions that bring systems thinking to life. Whether it’s a workshop, panel, case study, or something entirely different, your proposal should spark curiosity and inspire participants to broaden their horizons. Here’s how to structure your submission:

1. Catchy Session Title

Think of this as your session’s “headline.” It should grab attention and give people a clear idea of what to expect while they’re in your session, and a snapshot of what they may take away from it.

2. What’s This All About? (Session Description)

In a few short sentences, tell us what your session is about. What will people learn, experience, or do? Why is it important? Make us curious!

3. What Will Participants Get Out of It? (Learning Objectives)

What skills, knowledge, or perspectives will participants walk away with? List 3-5 key takeaways that will stick with them long after the summit ends.

4. Who’s This For? (Target Audience)

Who will benefit most from your session? Be specific – is this for community leaders, students, change-makers, or maybe a mix of everyone? We want to make sure the right people are in the room.

5. Let’s Break It Down (Session Structure)

Give us a sense of the flow with a step-by-step breakdown of how you want to achieve your session goals. What will happen, How will participants interact with you and each other? Make sure there’s plenty of room for collaboration and dialogue.

6. How Will You Engage? (Methodology)

Will your session use storytelling, hands-on activities, digital tools, group discussions, or a mix of multiple facilitation approaches to immerse participants? Tell us how you’ll make sure people are engaged, thinking deeply, and connecting ideas.

7. Who’s Leading the Way? (Facilitator Info)

Tell us about yourself (and your co-facilitators, if applicable). What’s your experience with systems thinking, and what makes you excited to lead this session?

8. What Do You Need? (Materials)

Are there any special materials or tools you’ll need provided for your session? Let us know!

9. What Will Participants Take Away? (Expected Outcomes)

What’s the “aha” moment you hope participants will leave with? How will they apply what they learned in their work or life? Paint a picture of the desired impact.

We’re excited to see how your creative ideas can transform the Banff Systems Summit! We’re looking for proposals that go beyond the ordinary, inviting people to engage with systems thinking in fresh, innovative, and relational ways.

If you have any questions or need support shaping your proposal, we’re here to help! Just reach out, and let’s chat about how to bring your vision to life in Banff.

Thanks for being part of this incredible journey!

Program Lead: Ashley Dion

As the Lead for Systems Learning, Ashley oversees two dynamic and impactful programs aimed at fostering systems thinking and problem-solving across Canada and beyond. Her role involves leading the national Map the System Canada competition, where post-secondary students showcase their research and systems-mapping skills, and organizing the Banff Systems Summit, a global event that brings together systems thinkers and practitioners.

Ashley is a BBA graduate of MRU with a Concentration in Social Innovation, and a Cree Métis woman who uses she/her pronouns. Ashley is a Map the System alumni and created a subsequent film project looking into the weird underbelly of charities and how and why the system surrounding charity in Canada exists in the way it does. The documentary entitled “Liminal: is charity designed to fail?” was produced through the Apprenticing with a Problem program. When Ashley is not working or creating video projects, she enjoys reading, travelling, and volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada.