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SSilverTech Summit

Official Program

SilverTech Summit 2.0

Bridging Innovation and Longevity

Date
October 2, 2026
Location
WE Seniors, Edmonton

Build With Us, Not For Us.

Welcome

A Message from Our Hosts

A Message from Karen Murdock

"Welcome to the SilverTech Summit 2.0. I am so glad you are here. I'm Karen Murdock, the founder of the SilverTech Summit.

When I first imagined the SilverTech Summit, I wanted to create more than another conference. I wanted to bring together the people who understand aging through lived experience with the people creating the technologies, businesses, policies and services that will shape our future.

We are living longer, and technology is changing faster than ever. That brings challenges, but it also creates an extraordinary opportunity. We have the chance to build a future where older adults are not treated as an afterthought. A future where technology supports dignity, independence, connection and a better quality of life. And a future where seniors are not simply asked to use what has already been created, but are invited to help shape it from the beginning. That is what makes this Summit different.

Today, you will hear from people with diverse experiences and perspectives. You will meet innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, community leaders and older adults who all have something important to contribute. I hope you will listen, ask questions and introduce yourself to someone you might not normally meet.

Some of the most valuable things that happen today may not happen on the stage. They may begin in a hallway conversation, over a cup of coffee or when two people realize that the work they are doing belongs together.

The SilverTech Summit is part of a much bigger vision. For me, "SilverTech" is not just technology for older adults. It represents the beginning of a new Silver Age, one where longevity, innovation, business, social impact and human connection come together to create something better for all of us.

Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, community partners and every person who helped make today possible. Most of all, thank you for showing up with your ideas, your experience and your willingness to be part of this conversation.

I hope you leave today with new knowledge, meaningful connections and at least one idea you are ready to move forward. Let's not simply talk about the future of aging, let's build it together."

Karen Murdock
Founder, SilverTech Summit

A Message from Haidong Liang

"My name is Haidong Liang, CEO of WE Seniors. It is my pleasure to welcome you to SilverTech Summit 2.0.

Last year, I spoke about the rise of the Silver Economy and why it is the most underestimated economic engine in Canada. That message is even more urgent today.

Alberta is undergoing a major demographic shift. More than 780,000 Albertans are aged 65 and older, and over 850,000 are 55 plus. By 2035, our senior population will exceed one million, and by mid-century, one in five Albertans will be 65 or older.

This is not simply a demographic shift. It is an economic one. Seniors are not only living longer, they are living with purchasing power, influence, and expectations. They are shaping markets, redefining consumer behaviour, and driving demand for innovation across health, housing, transportation, financial services, and community living.

As I mentioned in last year's speech, the relationship between aging and innovation must become much closer. Technology plays a central role in the future of the Silver Economy. We have seen similar demographic trends, economic patterns, and corresponding technological development in countries around the world. In many ways, Canada is falling behind.

The technology gap between what seniors know, use, and understand, and what companies are building, continues to widen. With the rapid development of AI, this gap will only grow unless we act intentionally. As a gerontologist, I believe the future of aging depends on technology that is accessible, intuitive, and designed with older adults at the center. The Silver Economy will not reach its full potential without solutions that seniors can adopt confidently.

This is why SilverTech Summit exists. It is our responsibility to raise awareness, accelerate innovation, and help build our own ecosystem here in Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada. Our city has the talent, the community strength, and the momentum to lead this national conversation.

Thank you for being part of SilverTech Summit 2.0. Together, we are shaping the future of aging and the future of technology."

Haidong Liang
PhD, Chief Executive Officer, WE Seniors

Gold Sponsors

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Bridging Innovation and Longevity

Our Purpose

SilverTech Summit brings together the many people who influence how we age: older adults and caregivers, entrepreneurs and innovators, researchers and students, healthcare and service providers, community organizations, businesses, funders and government leaders.

Too often, these groups work separately. The Summit creates a shared space where they can listen to one another, exchange knowledge, test ideas and build relationships.

Our purpose is to lay the foundation for better technology, products and services that support older adults in living safely, independently and meaningfully.

Most importantly, seniors are not brought in only after something has been created. Their lived experience helps identify the problems, guide the ideas and evaluate whether a solution is useful, realistic and respectful.

By bringing the right people together, and starting by listening, we can build a stronger aging innovation ecosystem.

Presented by

Silver Longevity Business Association, in partnership with WE Seniors

The Silver Longevity Business Association (SLBA) brings together people of all ages who want to help shape a better future as we live longer. That includes you.

You have spent a lifetime learning what works, what matters, and what people really need. We want that experience around the table alongside businesses, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and people creating new ideas.

You do not need to own a business or know anything about technology to join us. Many of our members aren't tech savvy and many business owners are also seniors. You can come to share your ideas, meet interesting people, learn something new, and help influence what comes next.

We believe older adults should not just be talked about. You should be part of the conversation.

Build With Us Station

The Build With Us Station is where your voice becomes part of the solution. Throughout the day, stop by and share a problem, frustration, or everyday challenge that you believe could be solved through better technology, products, or services. It might be something as simple as opening difficult packaging, remembering a password, booking an appointment, staying connected, or feeling safe at home.

You do not need to have the answer. Your lived experience is the starting point. Your ideas will help innovators, students, businesses, and community partners better understand what older adults actually need, not what others assume they need. Some of the challenges shared may become future projects, prototypes, or solutions developed through the SilverTech Hub.

This is what Build With Us, Not For Us means: older adults are included from the beginning, helping identify the problem, shape the solution, test it, and decide whether it truly works.

Serving aging adults? You belong here.

Businesses, professionals, seniors, caregivers and students building the longevity economy with older adults, not just for them. Community first. Seniors from the community can join free.

Join at slba.ca/join

Voiced Memories

Two Studies. One Goal.

Help us understand stories, connection and change.

Voiced Memories Study: Life Story Cafes and Home Users. Volunteers will use Voiced Memories to record and share personal stories. We will learn how easy, comfortable and meaningful the experience feels, and how it may support connection and well-being.

Cogimetry Study: Measuring cognitive changes over time. We are seeking volunteers for a control group and volunteers living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study will explore Cogimetry measurements for tracking cognitive changes over time. Cogimetry is non-diagnostic and will not diagnose a medical condition.

Interested in either study? Join our volunteer interest list and receive study details as they are confirmed. Expressing interest does not commit you to participate. Contact Karen at karen@voicedmemories.ca.

October 2, 2026

Program Schedule

Morning Program

  1. 8:30 - 9:00 AM

    Reception and Foyer

    Registration

    Registration opens. Visit exhibitor tables and the Selfie Station.

  2. 9:00 - 9:30 AM

    Main Gym

    Opening Ceremony

    Livestreamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.

    Welcome: Karen Murdock | MC: Dr. Haidong Liang

    Land Acknowledgement: Billy Morin | O Canada: Chinese Philharmonica Choir

    City and provincial welcomes: To be announced | Federal welcome: Billy Morin

  3. 9:30 - 9:40 AM

    Main Gym

    Since We Last Met

    Faith Grant, Tallawah Targeted Relief

  4. 9:40 - 10:25 AM

    Main Gym

    The Real Experts

    Senior panel and audience Q&A.

    Facilitator: Folakemi Kemi Ojo

    Panelists: Tracy Rand, Gladys Loong and Susan Janzen

  5. 10:25 - 10:45 AM

    Foyer and Exhibitor Areas

    Morning Break

    Recharge, stretch and visit the exhibitor spaces.

  6. 10:45 - 11:25 AM4 sessions at the same time

    Boardroom

    The Pitch Room

    Senior judges evaluate live product and idea pitches.

    Facilitators: John Sutherland and Colin Macdonald

    Art Room

    Prototype Lab

    Hands-on feedback on products still in development.

    Facilitators: Karteek (Mack) Mackena and Sandra Stabel

    Main Gym

    Isolated Seniors: Why It Matters and How Do We Reach Them?

    Facilitator: Karen Murdock

    Panelists: Jay Pritchard, Sabrina Brady and Arlene Huhn

    Games Room

    AI: Friend or Foe?

    A plain-language look at what artificial intelligence can and cannot do.

    Speaker: Sam Jenkins, Punchcard Systems

  7. 11:25 - 11:30 AM

    All Breakout Rooms

    Breakout Sessions Close

    Please allow a few minutes to transition.

  8. 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

    Main Gym and Marketplace

    Lunch and Explore

    Lunch, marketplace, networking, Prototype Lab and Pitch Room.

Afternoon Program

  1. 12:45 - 1:10 PM

    Main Gym

    AI Is Uncertain. Aging Is Certain.

    Dr. Haidong Liang, WE Seniors

    Livestreamed to the Games Room for overflow seating.

  2. 1:10 - 1:35 PM

    Main Gym

    What Does It Actually Take to Make Aging in Place Real, Not Just a Slogan?

    Patty Wickson, Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning Innovation and Quality

  3. 1:35 - 1:45 PM

    Main Gym

    Since We Last Met

    Sheila Willis, Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative

  4. 1:45 - 2:00 PM

    Foyer and Exhibitor Areas

    Afternoon Break

    Recharge, stretch and visit the exhibitor spaces.

  5. 2:00 - 2:10 PM

    Main Gym

    Since We Last Met

    Farnaz Koubasi, NeuroViva

  6. 2:10 - 2:20 PM

    Main Gym

    Elders and Knowledge Holders

    Billy Morin, Member of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest

  7. 2:20 - 2:45 PM2 sessions at the same time

    Main Gym

    SilverTech Hub: Where the Silver Age Gets Built

    Announcement and introduction of founding partners. Livestreamed to the Games Room.

    Karen Murdock with Bhavya (Bee) Jha and Rafael Krug

    Cafeteria

    Smartphone Skills

    Practical help with everyday smartphone tasks.

    Joanne Swensrude, Know It Sooner Computer Learning

  8. 2:45 - 3:30 PM

    Main Gym

    No One Left Behind Panel

    Designing stronger systems around the realities of aging. Livestreamed to the Games Room.

    Facilitator: Karen Murdock

    Dr. Haidong Liang, Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, Lisa Laferriere and Joey Ton

  9. 3:35 - 3:42 PM

    Main Gym

    Connection Commitments

    Karen Murdock

  10. 3:42 - 3:47 PM

    Main Gym

    Pitch Prize and Prototype Prize

    Pitch Room prize sponsor: Trixie Rowein | Prototype Lab sponsor: Zoran Kovacevic, Pace Pet

  11. 3:50 - 4:00 PM

    Main Gym

    Closing Remarks

    Dr. Haidong Liang and Karen Murdock | Last word: Jay Pritchard

Leadership is strongest when it stays connected to community

Dignitaries & Special Guests

  • Billy Morin

    Member of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest. Fun fact: at age 28, Billy became the youngest elected Chief in Enoch Cree Nation's history.

  • Brooks Arcand-Paul

    Member of the Legislative Assembly, Edmonton-West Henday. Fun fact: known by his nehiyaw name sipiyisis, or Little River, Brooks is Alberta's first Two Spirit MLA.

  • Lorne Dach

    Member of the Legislative Assembly, Edmonton-McClung. Fun fact: before public office, Lorne spent 30 years working in Edmonton's real estate industry.

  • Thu Parmar

    Councillor, Ward sipiwiyiniwak, City of Edmonton. Fun fact: Thu is a pharmacist and sports mom who helped raise $2.5 million for community projects. She was also the very first MC of the SilverTech Summit.

Senior-led panel

The Real Experts

What if the people building solutions for aging well actually listened to the people living it?

Wisdom you cannot learn from a dataset or a boardroom. No industry voices talking about seniors, just seniors talking about technology. Our Real Experts share what works, what does not and what is still missing across everyday technology, AgeTech, health tech and longevity.

  • Facilitator

    Folakemi Ojo

    CEO and Founder, Heart to Care Home Care

  • Panelist

    Tracy Rand

    Senior Entrepreneur

  • Panelist

    Gladys Loong

    Retired Go-Go Senior

  • Panelist

    Susan Janzen

    Singer and Podcast Host

The Dementia Collective podcast

Meet the Voices

A special on-site conversation hosted by Andrew Karesa, Founder & CEO, BlueBell Village.

  • Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell

    Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta

  • Jay Pritchard

    WE Seniors

  • Karen Murdock

    Silver Longevity Business Association

  • Janice Baskin

    Edmonton Regional Innovation Network

  • Zoran Kovacevic

    Founder & CEO, Pace Pet

  • Darlene Schindel, RN

    Caregiver-Centered Care Strategy, University of Alberta

Practical Technology Sessions

Two sessions. Real questions. Useful help.

  • 10:45 - 11:25 AM · Games Room

    Sam Jenkins

    CEO, Punchcard Systems. A plain-language look at what AI can and cannot do, and where it already appears in everyday life. Ask: Where am I already using AI? When should I be cautious?

  • 2:20 - 2:45 PM · Cafeteria

    Joanne Swensrude

    Owner/Instructor, Know It Sooner Computer Training. Hands-on help with everyday phone tasks. Ask: Which phone task would help most? How can I recognize and avoid scams?

Ideas built with older adults

Pitch Room & Prototype Lab

Meet the facilitators and award sponsors supporting ideas built with older adults.

  • Pitch Room facilitator

    John Sutherland

    Director, Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation, NAIT

  • Pitch Room facilitator

    Colin Macdonald

    Entrepreneurship Advisor, NAIT | Mawji Centre

  • Prototype Lab facilitator

    Karteek (Mack) Mackena

    Manager, AI Operations, Alberta Motor Association

  • Prototype Lab facilitator

    Sandra Stabel

    Founder & CEO, Grey Cube Innovations

  • Pitch Room award sponsor

    Trixie Rowein

    PAX Portfolio Advisory, Raymond James Ltd.

  • Prototype Lab award sponsor

    Zoran Kovacevic

    Founder & CEO, Pace Pet

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Stories of progress

Since We Last Met

  1. Faith Grant
    Tallawah Targeted Relief
  2. Sheila Willis
    Founder, Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative
  3. Farnaz Koubasi
    Occupational Therapist, Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science, NeuroViva
  4. Karen Murdock
    CEO, Voiced Memories, Founder SLBA and the SilverTech Hub

Featured presentations

Ideas That Move Us Forward

Three perspectives on technology, aging and the wisdom that guides us.

  • 12:45 - 1:10 PM · Main Gym

    AI Is Uncertain. Aging Is Certain.

    Dr. Haidong Liang, CEO, WE Seniors. As technology changes at extraordinary speed, aging remains a certainty. Haidong explores how we can meet both realities with confidence, curiosity and the wisdom to keep people at the centre of innovation.

  • 1:10 - 1:35 PM · Main Gym

    Making Aging in Place Real, Not Just a Slogan

    Patty Wickson, Director of Research and Innovation, Dr. Barrie Strafford CLIQ. What does it actually take to help people remain at home and connected?

  • 2:10 - 2:20 PM · Main Gym

    Elders and Knowledge Holders

    Billy Morin, Member of Parliament, Edmonton Northwest. Why lived experience, cultural knowledge and intergenerational wisdom must help guide the decisions we make about our shared future.

Panel #2 · 10:45 - 11:25 AM · Main Gym

Isolated Seniors: Why It Matters and How Do We Reach Them?

Isolation is not always visible. The seniors who most need connection may be the least likely to walk through our doors.

This panel brings together community, seniors-serving, clinical and caregiver perspectives to look at the barriers that can leave older adults disconnected, and the practical relationships needed to reach them.

  • Facilitator

    Karen Murdock

    President, Silver Longevity Business Association

  • Panelist

    Jay Pritchard

    President, WE Seniors, Representing Isolated Seniors

  • Panelist

    Sabrina Brady

    Director, Clinical Programs, Insight Psychological

  • Panelist

    Arlene Huhn

    Director, Programs and Services and Community Relations, Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories

As you listen, ask:

  • Who is missing from the rooms where support is designed?
  • What barriers keep isolated seniors from being seen?
  • How do we reach people who will never come through the usual doors?
  • What can each of us do next to make connection easier?

Panel #3 · 2:45 - 3:30 PM · Main Gym

No One Left Behind

Progress must reach the people who are hardest to serve. Stronger systems begin with the realities of aging, not assumptions about them.

Homelessness, complex health needs, mobility, cognition, technology and systemic barriers all shape who is included. This panel asks what stronger, connected systems can do differently.

  • Facilitator

    Karen Murdock

    President, Silver Longevity Business Association

  • Panelist

    Dr. Haidong Liang

    CEO, WE Seniors

  • Panelist

    Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti

    Professor, Public Health; Past President, CMA

  • Panelist

    Lisa Laferriere

    Vice President, Strategy, Health Cities

  • Panelist

    Joey Ton

    Domain Project Manager, Focus Research

As you listen, ask:

  • Who is most at risk of being left behind by today's systems?
  • Where do healthcare, technology and community supports disconnect?
  • Are new solutions accessible to people with complex realities?
  • What can we build together now that no single sector can do alone?
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Thank you

Our Advertisers & Supporters

These businesses and organizations helped make the Summit and this program possible. Tap any page to see it full size.

SilverTech Summit 2.0

When the Day Ends, the Work Continues

Today is one moment in a much larger movement. Stay connected. Keep sharing. Help shape what comes next.

SLBA brings businesses, professionals and community partners together to strengthen the services, products and ideas that support people as they age. Look for more events over the coming year, brought to you by SLBA. Stay connected: hello@slba.ca · www.slba.ca

Thank you.

To everyone who helped make today possible, our speakers, volunteers, partners, organizers, and everyone who joined us, thank you. Your time, energy, ideas, and enthusiasm brought the SilverTech Summit to life.

A very special thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors. Without your generous support and participation, this day could not have happened.

Most importantly, thank you for attending, sharing your voice, and helping us build a future with older adults, not just for them.