School of Hard Knocks, sponsored by Mayfair Lumber – Edmonton, AB

Location: Windsor Plywood Sherwood Park – 121 Broadway Boulevard, Sherwood Park, AB

A candid conversation on what’s actually working in today’s market

Join a working conversation with people who are operating in this industry every day.

School of Hard Knocks brings together retailers, operators, and senior leaders to share what they are seeing in real time, how they are responding, and what is changing inside their businesses as a result.

Moderated by Supply-Build Canada President, Liz Kovach, this session is designed to move beyond surface-level insights and get into the decisions behind the results. The focus is: what is working, what is not, and what others should be doing now to stay competitive.

Why this matters

The environment has shifted. Costs are rising, customer expectations are evolving, and margins are under pressure.

Many of the approaches that worked even a year ago are no longer delivering the same results. Businesses are being forced to adapt quickly, often without a clear playbook.

This session creates space to hear directly from peers who are navigating those same pressures. It offers a clearer view of what is happening across the industry and how leaders are adjusting in response.

What you will gain

You will leave with practical insight that can be applied immediately in your business, including:

• How peers are protecting margins and making pricing decisions in a changing market
• What is shifting in customer expectations and what is driving loyalty today
• Operational changes that are improving efficiency and where businesses are still struggling
• Where leaders are choosing to invest, and where they are pulling back
• A grounded perspective on what the next 12 to 24 months may require

Panelists

Confirmed panelists will be announced soon.

The room

Attendance is intentionally limited to keep the conversation relevant and valuable.

You will be in the room with dealers and decision-makers who understand the realities of running a business in this industry. The value extends beyond the panel itself and into the conversations that happen before, during, and after the session.

Event format

The session is designed to be direct, conversational, and participant-driven.

• Moderated panel discussion
• Audience Q&A, including questions from the room
• Connecting with peers

About the series

School of Hard Knocks is part of a national event series sponsored by Mayfair Lumber, taking place across multiple locations throughout 2026.

Each session is built to surface real-world insights from the field and create space for honest, peer-driven discussion across the industry.

Save your seat

If you are responsible for performance in your business, this is a conversation worth being part of.