Descripción
Growing a food or beverage business often means making significant decisions about equipment, automation, working capital, expansion and new markets. But knowing which financing partner to approach — and when — is not always straightforward. Join AFPA and representatives from ATB, FCC, BDC and EDC for an interactive session designed to help Alberta food and beverage processors understand their capital options and prepare for productive financing conversations. Rather than a series of presentations, the session will use practical processor scenarios and panel discussion to explore: • How financing needs change as a business grows• Who to call at different stages of growth• What financing partners look for when assessing an opportunity• How debt financing differs from other sources of capital• Equipment, automation and capacity-expansion needs• Working-capital pressures• Export and market-expansion financing• What to have prepared before approaching a financing partner• What to do if financing is not approved the first time Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the panel and receive a practical Capital Readiness Checklist. Who Should Attend? This session is designed primarily for Alberta food and beverage processors preparing for commercialization, growth, capacity expansion, market development, export or succession. Space is limited. Priority will be given to food and beverage processors, with a limited number of spaces available for AFPA Associate Members and ecosystem-support organizations.