Message to the Membership – November 3, 2026

Before I get to some news that may come as a bit of a surprise – or even a shock – to some of you, allow me a moment to brag about our programming – because there’s a connection, I promise.

For those of you who missed our Small Business Week luncheon featuring Bryan McCrea of 3twenty Modular, the graphic recording below wonderfully illustrates the all-encompassing presentation Bryan gave to those in attendance. So when it comes to programming for our members, we know how to pick ’em.

This is further evidenced by our largest-ever event in NSBA history on Tuesday, October 6, at our Lessons I’ve Learned, the 20th anniversary special edition. Judging from the voluminous feedback we’ve received, the NSBA knows a thing or two about putting on high-quality, super-appreciated and well-attended events.

Although our five major events (Business Builder Awards, Golf Classic, Saskatoon Popcorn and Entrepreneurship, Regina Popcorn and Entrepreneurship, and of course Lessons I’ve Learned) tend to be more popular than our regular programming, we still take a great deal of pride in all of our programming.

This month is a rarity in that we are hosting three luncheons in three successive weeks. Enjoy it while it lasts, because here’s the news: our plans for 2027 are to reduce the frequency of our luncheons from 12 times annually to four – one per quarter. That’s a reduction of approximately 67%.

So my point to all this is, is to get in while the getting’s good! Please join us for our two final luncheons of the year: the Salute to the Canadian Military next Tuesday November 10, or our Fireside Chat with Mayor Block on November 17.

Our decision isn’t final – it’s subject to Board approval vis-à-vis our 2027 budgeting. But as I’ve said for some time, our luncheons are loss leaders for us, and given the pressures I see on business today, I just don’t see this market supporting a $75 ticket for a luncheon.

And even though we’re a non-profit organization ourselves – and I think most people understand this – we still need to see black ink at the end of the year. We can’t keep losing our shirts on these events. It reminds me of the old joke: we lose a little on every ticket, but we’ll make it up in volume.

Our plan is to maintain one NSBA Network Series event (a luncheon or breakfast) per quarter: our AGM in mid- to late March (Q1), our Mining Week Breakfast in late May or early June (Q2), our Annual Cookout in early to mid-July (Q3), then our annual Fireside Chat with Mayor Block in mid- to late November (Q4).

We’re keeping the three most popular of our Network Series events – the Mining Week Breakfast, the Annual Cookout and the Fireside Chat with Mayor Block. And although the AGM isn’t among our most highly attended, we’re required by law to hold it, so obviously we’re keeping that too.

If something opportunistic pops up, like a Premier’s luncheon or a timely, hot-button issue for our members, we will add to our mix of four. So no, we’re not getting out of the luncheon business entirely – but for all intents and purposes, it sure seems like it.

This is a stark contrast to the NSBA I inherited from my predecessor, Shirley Ryan. Pre-pandemic, we held 24 Club Connect breakfasts per year, plus a luncheon per month – in other words, 36 regular events per year. Up until 2024, between Club Connect and our Luncheon Series, we still held 25 events per year; every other week we were holding something. Today we’re at 12, and next year, it’s likely to be just four.

So yes, this new reality of one per quarter does seem a little off-putting for those of us who have fond memories of yesteryear. The NSBA was built on the success of these events, primarily through the organic and authentic networking that came out of them.

Businesses, and usually it was the owner-managers that attended, literally built their businesses through the relationships they developed at these events. I saw it with my own eyes – the value that was created in our economy through these business relationships.

I know the world is becoming more tech-reliant, and that will only increase with the continued development and adoption of AI. But somewhere along the line, that human connection will need to prevail. And when it does, the NSBA will be there.

But for now, you can take in one of our final two luncheons of the year – November 10 or November 17 – because it will be your last chance to do so NSBA-style for four months.

Until next time, be safe, be smart, be considerate, be well, but most of all, be kind.

Keith Moen

Executive Director

NSBA