Thurs Nov 6, 7pm: A Business Case for Human Rights

Listen to stories of human dignity from well-known business and humanitarian leader Art DeFehr, CEO of Palliser Furniture, who uses his business skills for humanitarian efforts.

Fri Nov 7, 8pm: Creating Human Dignity for Children and Women: Education and Economic Empowerment*

Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of education activist Malala Yousafzai, will reflect on his, and his daughter’s story, after she was shot by the Taliban for their beliefs.

*Join us at the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights for our Friday evening program.

Sat Nov 8, 7:30am: Impact Investing: A Fleeting Trend or a Path to Hope and Dignity?

Drawing from their new joint project, Gerhard Pries of Sarona Asset Management and MEDA’s Katie Turner will explore whether impact investing is a fleeting trend or has the potential to change the world.

Sat Nov 8, 9am: MEDA Year in Review / AGM

MEDA president Allan Sauder, staff and officers of MEDA’s Board will offer stories and highlights of the past year’s accomplishments and conduct the annual general meeting.

Sat Nov 8, 6:30pm: Journey of Hope

Award-winning journalist and author Laura Ling will share her life-changing story of 140 days in detainment by North Korean soldiers along the Chinese-North Korean border in 2009.

Sun Nov 9, 9am: Faith Without Veneers

Jim Miller, pastor, founder of JMX Brands, and CEO of DutchCrafters, will speak about his commitment to integrity and quality that drives his Amish furniture business.

Explore Winnipeg and visit with friends old and new. Revenue from these tours benefits MEDA. Cost includes admissions, taxes and gratuities. (Details at www.medaconvention.org.)

Wed Nov 5

Churchill Polar Bear Adventure Day Tour – Come on a day tour to see polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. 5:45am-10:30 pm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. $1,494 USD/$1,599 CAD

Thurs Nov 6

Mennonite Heritage in Steinbach – Visit Steinbach to tour Loewen Windows and view the history of Mennonite life in Manitoba. 8am-3pm. Lunch included. $129 USD/$139 CAD

Broadcasting, Publishing and a Hutterite Colony – Tour Golden West Broadcasting, Friesens Corporation and Starlite Hutterite Colony. 8am-4:30pm. Lunch included. $129 USD/$139 CAD

Fri Nov 7

Architecture, Spies, Hieroglyphics and Hidden Codes – Learn about Winnipeg’s history as a meeting place and the symbolism in its architecture. 9am-12pm. $55 USD/$59 CAD

Starlite Hutterite Colony – Tour the colony and learn about the culture and values that make a successful farm business model. 12:30pm-4:30pm. Lunch included. $84 USD/$89 CAD

Assiniboine Park’s Journey to Churchill – Experience the Arctic without leaving Winnipeg. See polar bears, seals, wolves and bears. 2pm-5pm. $74 USD/$79 CAD

Winnipeg’s French Quarter – Visit the largest French-speaking neighborhood west of Quebec. 2pm-5pm. $46 USD/$49 CAD

Sat Nov 8

Lunch at Chez Sophie – Enjoy quiche at one of Winnipeg’s newest restaurants. 12:30pm-2:30pm. $55 USD/$59 CAD

Assiniboine Park – (see above) 2pm-5pm. $74 USD/$79 CAD

Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company – Celebrate bread with the bakers at Tall Grass. 2pm-5pm. $55 USD/$59 CAD

humandignitythrough entrepreneurship

Full-time Registration

Includes all plenary sessions, seminars, Thurs/Fri evening dessert receptions, coffee breaks, Fri/Sat dinners, Fri/Sat/Sun breakfasts. Register by Nov. 1.

Rates Early Bird by Oct. 15 Standard

Regular $575 USD $615 CAD

$675 USD $722 CAD

First-Timer/Age 30 and Younger/Chapter Leader

$395 USD $420 CAD

$495 USD $529 CAD

Student/Pastor/International

$275 USD $290 CAD

$375 USD $400 CAD

Per-event Registration: Attend convention for a day, evening, or any combination. Details at www.medaconvention.org

Hotel

Reserve your room at The Fairmont Winnipeg by Oct 7 to get the convention rate of $150. Visit www.medaconvention.org and follow the Hotel Reservations link.

With a focus on Human Dignity Through Entrepreneurship, together we’ll explore how MEDA’s work…

• Advances each client’s dignity, • Promotes respect for aspiring entrepreneurs with meager

resources, and • Gives families hope for a better future.

155 Frobisher Drive, Ste. I-106 Waterloo, ON N2V 2E1

At www.meda.convention.org or call 1-800-665-7026

REGISTER TODAY!

Join us for a weekend of celebration, exploration, networking and renewal honoring innovation and entrepreneurship!

2014 MEDA CONVENTION

humandignitythrough entrepreneurship

The Fairmont Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba

November 6-9

Laura Ling

Ziauddin Yousafzai

Art DeFehr

Jim Miller

Allan Sauder

BE INSPIRED BY THESE PLENARIES TOURS

WORKSHOPSThurs Nov 6 – Business Leaders and Pastors: Partners in Leadership and Ministry Explore how business leaders and pastors can develop a shared mission for their churches and communities. 1pm-5pm. $39 USD/$42 CAD

Fri Nov 7 – Canadian Mennonite University Choose from two workshop tracks on Shifting Peoples and Populations. 12:15pm-5pm. Lunch included. $55 USD/$59 CAD

Sat Nov 8 – Canadian Museum for Human Rights Workshops Tour the galleries and engage in workshops of your choice. 12:30pm-5pm. Lunch included. $84 USD/$89 CAD

MUSICEnjoy a variety of top-notch music, including select choirs from Canadian Mennonite University, throughout MEDA’s convention!

2 0 1 4 S E M I N A R T R A C K SBusiness2. Economic Commentary on the United States and Canada

Participate in our annual analysis, critique and discussion of economic trends in the U.S. and Canada with associate professors Jim Leaman of EMU and Craig Martin of CMU.

9. Business in Manitoba from a First Nation perspective

Ian Cramer, CEO of First Peoples Economic Growth Fund Inc., will share how Manitoba’s indigenous people have come from their traditional lifestyle economy to owning mainstream businesses.

11. Human Rights, Peace and Business

Lowell Ewert, Conrad Grebel director of Peace and Conflict Studies, will explore how human rights and peace concerns are increasingly impacting how business operates.

12. All in the Family or Not? When to Sell Your Family Business

Is there a “right time” to divest or sell a family business? What are some of the main issues to keep in mind when considering selling? With Jeff Huebner, CMU associate professor; Charles Loewen, former CEO of Loewen Windows; Bill Fast, former owner of Willmar Windows.

17. Budding Businesspeople: Stories from young entrepreneurs

Hear stories, new trends, and musings from the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs. Panel moderator: Cam Friesen

23. Mutilitarianism: An Unintentional Philosophy That Gnaws On Our Communities

Jonathan Andreas, Bluffton University associate professor and www.medianism.org creator, will show us how to recognize an accidental moral philosophy that has warped business and government policy.

26. Exit or Adapt: A Tale of Two Companies and the Challenge of Change

Margo Smith of Hull’s Family Bookstores and Curwin Friesen of Friesens Corporation present their unique stories of disruption and change management in their respective industries.

27. The wacky world of international economic development consulting

Have you ever wondered what kinds of interesting situations our consultants have experienced while in the field? Join us as Kim Pityn, MEDA chief operations officer, Henry Fast, Neil Janzen and Joyce Lehman share their stories.

MEDA Related1. Agri-business Market Development in Ukraine

MEDA’s Nick Ramsing will look at how UHDP (2008-2013) helped 5,000+ farmers access high-value markets, leading to increased production, higher yields and increased income.

7. YouthInvest & Beyond: Building Opportunities for the Future

Jennifer Denomy and Nicki Post will share how MEDA’s six-year project in Morocco and Egypt reached 50,000+ young people with training, entrepreneurship support and financial services.

15. Tasty, Nutritious and Locally Produced: Strengthening Local Enterprises to Solve Localized Vitamin A Deficiency in Tanzania

Director, Business of Health, Thom Dixon will explain how MEDA will help 65,000+ Tanzanians living in Vitamin A deficient areas become better nourished and prevent impaired child development.

16. In the Field: Careers in Economic Development

Sa-Eun Park and Jen Ferrari and other MEDA staff will discuss the importance of economic development in developing countries and share incredible stories of travel, hope, and even frustration.

19. Creative Ways to give to your Favorite Charity (MEDA or not!)

Learn how to provide gifts that benefit others as well as your family. MEDA gift officers, led by Dave Warren, chief engagement officer, will discuss charitable gift annuities, charitable bequests and deferred charitable gift annuities, and take questions.

22. Sarona reports: Investing in Growth that Matters

Gerhard Pries and Serge LeVert-Chiasson, founders of Sarona Asset Management, MEDA’s investment company, will report on the various investment funds and companies that MEDA has invested in.

25. A Message of Peace Clothed in Business

MEDA’s Kara Klassen will reflect on MEDA’s history from a peace lens to show how economic development and peace building are not only linked, but integral to impact.

Business and Faith4. When Cheap is Costly

CMU International Development instructor Ray Vander Zaag will discuss efforts to establish fair labor standards in overseas factories and options for more ethical consumer and supply-chain markets.

5. Living Life Backwards: A Fresh Approach to a Lasting Legacy

Dori Zerbe Cornelsen and Sherri Grosz, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, will share stories of purposeful generosity. What do we want people to say about us when we are gone?

13. The Frontiers of Leadership: New Models for Leading in Chaotic Times

Jim Smucker, Eastern Mennonite University, will connect live with Anabaptist leaders around the globe to discuss models of leadership and organizational structures emerging in the face of change.

14. The Gospel of Luke on Management, Dignity and Social Entrepreneurship

Bruno Dyck will draw on his book, "Management and the Gospel: Luke’s Radical Message for the First and Twenty-First Centuries", to discuss Luke’s messages about today’s social entrepreneurship.

24. Peace is Everyone’s Business

Lowell Ewert, Conrad Grebel director of Peace and Conflict Studies, will explore how many of the professions represented by MEDA members contribute to building a peaceful and democratic society.

8. Biking Across Canada: Raising Funds to help Women through MEDA

Two recent MEDA interns, Mary Fehr and Sarah French, discuss why MEDA’s work inspired them to plan a bike ride across Canada in summer 2015 to raise money for MEDA’s work with women. Come hear their stories from the field, and learn more about their incredible trek.

21. After College: Professional Tidbits for New (or soon-to-be) Employees

Two career development professionals will explore life after college and how to make the most out of being a new employee, easing the transition between college and the workforce.

Professional Development3. Don’t Be a One-Dimensional Leader!

Some leaders prioritize the needs of the people they lead, while others take their organizations in bold new directions and welcome change. Consultant Ken Byler says truly great leaders do both.

10. Could Your Team Do Better?

How would increased teamwork impact your company’s performance? Learn the five behaviors of a cohesive team and leadership’s role in building one from trainer Lee Schmucker.

18. Creating a Brand Strategy: A Ten Thousand Villages Case Study

Ryan Jacobs, CEO of Ten Thousand Villages Canada, and Marshall Warkentin, board member, will share their journey of brand development in the competitive industry of retail gifts and handcrafted products – from customer insight, to competitive analysis, to strategic differentiation.

20. The Road Yet to Travel: Planning Ahead for a Business Transition

What’s on the road ahead for those taking on leadership? Bill Hartman, Everence vice president of Organization Services, will moderate a panel of business owners.

Visit www.medaconvention.org for full details.

General Interest6. Restoring Dignity to Lives Devastated by Natural Disaster

Disasters hit indiscriminately, leaving a wake of vulnerable and disoriented people. Kevin King and Janet Plenert of Mennonite Disaster Service will share stories of devastation and the restoration of dignity and hope.