Education & Programs

From executive education to university classes and family learning, our world-class programs are powered by innovative technology and draw on international best practices to deliver learning experiences that help business families thrive across generations.

Educational Pathways

Business Families
  • Business Family Forum
  • Roadmap
  • Custom Programs
Advisors
  • Executive Certificate in Family Business Advising
  • Custom Family Business Advisor Training
University Students
  • BComm & MBA Courses
  • Scholarships
  • Family Business Club
FEATURED PROGRAM

Business Family Forum

Guests reconnecting at an ABFI Signature Event reception

Connect. Build. Lead.‍

A confidential, facilitated peer forum for business family leaders navigating ownership, leadership, and transition. This isn't networking. It's a trusted room of leaders who understand the realities of family enterprise.

Bi-Monthly Full-Day Meetings
One-on-One Coaching + Annual Retreat
  1. Connect: A Trusted Peer Group
    ‍Share challenges with leaders who've sat in the same seat
  2. Build: Research-Based Learning
    ‍Leadership, family dynamics, succession, and governance
  3. Lead: Decide with Confidence
    Tested strategies and a peer network for the transitions ahead

Who: One leader from each non-competing business family
Where: Forum groups in Edmonton and Calgary launching soon
Group size: 6 to 14 members
Led by: Experienced family business moderators

Learn More
NEW COURSE

AI for Business Families

A hands-on day using AI in the business, at the family table and as an owner.

Learn the three roles AI can play for you, assistant, analyst and coach, and put each to work across the three circles of a family enterprise, then test a real decision, such as succession, in front of a simulated AI board. You'll leave with your tools set up and a 30-day plan. Course led by Vern Glaser and Matt Knight.

One-Day Course, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Hands-On, only 20 seats per course
  1. AI as Assistant: Hand a real task from your desk to AI, and check what comes back
  2. AI as Analyst: Work through a real business question, and validate the answer
  3. AI as Coach: Rehearse a hard family conversation before you have it
Panel at an ABFI session on ethical AI for private and family-owned businesses


Registration $1,000 after November 15th. Early bird pricing $850‍

The education program provided practical insights that we could immediately apply to our family business. The mix of academic knowledge and real-world experience was invaluable.

Learning alongside other business families helped us realize we weren't alone in our challenges. The network we built during the program continues to be a source of support!

Connect to Community

Table Talk Podcast
Listen and learn from leading business families, experts, and researchers.
Family Business Association
A student-led initiative at the University of Alberta connecting the next generation of family business leaders with the business family community.
Get in Touch
Have questions about our programs or want to learn more about how we can help your business family? We’d love to hear from you.
Contact Us