Workshop Your Business - Navigating Immigration Pathways in a Changing Landscape

Description

Strengthen your business with immigration-focused workforce strategies.
Join us for this Workshop Your Business session — a practical, two-hour learning experience designed for employers, HR leaders, and business owners navigating talent challenges in today’s competitive market.

Purpose:

Grande Prairie is growing – but employers, service providers and newcomers face changing immigration rules, labor shortages, and complex legal systems. Grande Prairie’s workforce includes 13.2% immigrants (8,360 people) and 1.6% non-permanent residents—a vital talent pool for local businesses.

Join the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grande Prairie for a practical, employer-focused session designed to help businesses better understand immigration options, strengthen retention, and build inclusive workplaces that support long-term growth.

Why Employers Should Attend

• Gain practical newcomer recruitment and retention strategies
• Get clarity on navigating workforce challenges in a changing policy landscape
• Strengthen your business while contributing to Grande Prairie’s welcoming reputation

A single space for learning, connection, and planning solutions.

Event Sponsors & Partners

• City of Grande Prairie – Project lead & coordinator.
• Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce – Business engagement & employer session lead.
• Invest Grande Prairie (Invest GP) – Economic development and business attraction support.
• Holthe Immigration Law - Mark Holthe

Hosted by:

Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce • City of Grande Prairie • Holthe Immigration Law

Meet the Speaker - Mark Holthe

B.A., B.Ed. | University of Lethbridge

LL.B. | University of Manitoba

Immigration Lawyer Mark Holthe started his legal career with a large national law firm in Calgary where he initiated the business immigration practice at the firm. Since those early days, he has had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of law firm configurations before finally realizing that the best place for him was within the confines of an immigration boutique firm of his own making.

As a Canadian Immigration lawyer, Mark Holthe has particular experience in assisting clients with all aspects of Canadian immigration law. He assists large national and multinational companies in navigating complex Canadian immigration matters and provides strategic immigration advice to international and domestic companies seeking to recruit and retain foreign skilled and semi-skilled personnel.

Mark also assists temporary foreign workers with their transition to permanent resident status in Canada and over the past few years, he has taken great satisfaction in helping individuals and families with their various immigration-related needs. Mark finds no greater satisfaction than helping to facilitate the reunification of families. From assisting with study permits and work permits to complex litigation and appeals, Mark provides support in every step of your journey. Whether you’re seeking assistance for yourself, your family members, or your business, Mark will guide you through the process.

While attending law school, Mark worked as an Immigration officer for Citizenship and Immigration Canada on the Alberta/Montana border. While completing his final year of law school, he worked as a pro bono student to the Canada Border Services Agency Hearings Officers representing the minister before the Immigration Appeal Division in Calgary, Alberta. As a result of his prior experience as an immigration officer, Mark has been able to enhance the services he offers to his cross-border and overseas clients. Since that time, he has continued to work hard fostering positive relationships with the various immigration-related government departments and has focused a significant portion of his practice on cross-border matters.

A huge thank you to our 2026 Chamber Champions for making this series possible:

• Crystal Clear Insurance Brokers Ltd.  
• Empire Oilfield Solutions
• Grande Prairie Technical Institute
• Green Acre Ventures Ltd.
• Klon Services 
• Mr. Mikes Steakhouse 
• NitroTech of Canada
• Peak Beauty Academy
• RIVR Solutions
• Tara Energy Services
• The Side Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Limited spots available—secure yours today!