Kick off AAA’s learning week with two days of focused, skills-based education before the Annual Conference. Choose from full-day and half-day sessions led by experienced practitioners and subject-matter experts—designed to strengthen consistency and confidence in assessment work.
Dates & Location
Spring Session dates: April 13–14, 2026 (Monday - Tuesday)
Venue: Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel (Calgary, AB)
What to Expect
Choose-your-track learning: Multiple sessions run at the same time—select the courses that best match your role, experience level, and learning goals.
Practical, job-ready content: Topics are designed to support day-to-day assessing work, from CAMA querying and property-type valuation to evidence preparation, legislation, and conflict resolution.
Flexible formats: Options include half-day and full-day sessions, with some offerings delivered across two days.
Start strong before the conference: Build momentum, sharpen tools, and connect with peers ahead of the main conference programming.
Refreshments: Light snacks will be provided morning and afternoon only. Breakfast is not provided, and participants are on their own for lunch and dinner.
Registration & Pricing
Online registration is opening soon for the AAA Spring Education Session, featuring a mix of full-day, two-day, and half-day learning opportunities.
Each attendee must register themselves so we can place participants into sessions and send event updates and onsite details.
Pricing and session details are provided in the Program at a Glance. Please note:
Pricing is per session.
Several sessions run concurrently, select carefully by time slot.
Some courses are two-day offerings.
Payment: Pay by credit card at checkout, or select cheque, EFT, or eTransfer. If your organization is paying, register using cheque/EFT/eTransfer, then have your organization contact us to confirm who to include on the final invoice. One final invoice will be issued once all attendees are registered.
Add any accessibility or dietary needs in the Notes section of your session ticket(s) at checkout. You can log in and update your registration until Friday, April 3, 2026—please review the Purchase & Refund Policy for details.
Hotel Reservations
AAA has secured a preferred group rate: $155.00 CAD/night at the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel.
Last day to book at the group rate: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Group booking window: Saturday, April 11, 2026 – Friday, April 17, 2026
Program | Monday, April 13
FOAJ - Presenting Cases Before Tribunals (Day 1 of 2)
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Alberta South Room
This interactive session focuses on effective preparation, selecting and presenting the right evidence, and working confidently with expert witnesses. All exercises are tailored to real-world assessment scenarios. Participants will apply their learning in a mock hearing, supported by facilitator guidance and constructive peer feedback.
Presented by Carol Zukiwski 
CAMA Querying (Beginner - Intermediate)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Alberta Room
Description coming soon.
Presented by Sarah Archibald, AMAA
Witness Cross-Examination Prep Course
Presented by Gwendolyn Stewart-Palmer9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Canadian Room
Witness Cross-Examination Preparation: From Theory to Practice
This half-day interactive course is designed to help assessors build confidence and effectiveness when preparing for cross-examination before assessment review boards or tribunals.
The session will be delivered in two parts. The first portion will focus on key principles and preparation strategies, including what to expect during cross-examination and how to respond clearly and professionally. The second portion will be hands-on and practical, featuring mock cross-examination scenarios where participants can apply their learning and receive guided feedback.
This course is well suited for assessors with some hearing experience who want to strengthen their skills as witnesses.
Foundations - Conflict Resolution (Day 1 of 1.5)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | McKnight East Room
Conflict is a natural part of working with colleagues and taxpayers, and the ability to de-escalate tense situations is essential. This in-person course explores the causes of conflict, common escalation triggers, and practical strategies for managing challenging interactions. Participants will build active listening and assertive communication skills and apply a four-step, interest-based conflict resolution model to de-escalate and resolve conflicts of moderate complexity with professionalism and confidence.
Presented by NAIT 
Equity, Evidence & Negotiation: Practical Strategies for Assessment Appeals
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Alberta Room
Assessment complaints often come down to two key questions: Is the value correct? And is it equitable? This course explores how assessors can confidently respond when those questions collide.
Participants will learn how to effectively respond to equity arguments using caselaw and data in a clear and practical way that helps educate taxpayers and Boards. The course will review the two distinct rights available to taxpayers, market value and equity, and how to apply the legal test in Alberta when those rights appear to be in conflict.
Building on these concepts, the course will also explore the role of negotiation as an alternative to tribunal, highlighting how thoughtful negotiation strategies can lead to improved outcomes for municipalities and taxpayers alike. Participants will gain insight into how negotiation can help reduce tax revenue under complaint, improve roll stability, and resolve disputes more efficiently.
Through practical examples and real-world insights, this session will provide assessors with tools to strengthen their approach to appeals, negotiations, and defending assessments.
Presented by Thomas Ludlow, AMAABeyond the Real Estate: Valuing Car Dealerships & Storage Facilities
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Canadian Room
When sale prices include more than just real estate, assessors face unique valuation challenges. This session explores practical valuation approaches for special-purpose properties and examines how to apply best practices when valuing car dealerships and storage facilities.
Presented by Tessa Brady, AMAA | Zach Geib, AMAA | Kurt Hartman, AMAA | Tim Heger, AMAA
Program | Tuesday, April 14
FOAJ - Presenting Cases Before Tribunals (Day 2 of 2)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Alberta South Room
Continued from day 1.
Presented by Carol Zukiwski Foundations - Conflict Resolution ( Final 1/2 Day)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | McKnight East Room
Continued from day 1.
Presented by NAIT PAAH Gas Stations & Car Washes Handbook
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | McKnight West Room
Join our experts for an in-depth and interactive review of the updated PAAH Gas Station and Car Wash Handbook. This session will cover key updates, current best practices, and practical considerations for assessing gas stations and car washes. Participants will also be part of the discussion to help finalize the update on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, contributing insight and experience to this evolving area of practice.
Presented by Riley Kloss & Tessa BradyData Centres
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | McKnight West Room
Data centres are rapidly expanding across Alberta — but how should they be assessed, and what does that mean for municipalities and assessors?
This session will provide an overview of the format and scale of data centres, from smaller operations to large hyperscale facilities, and how they are evolving across the province. We’ll explore how data centres are currently being assessed, consider potential future assessment approaches, and clarify the distinction between municipal property assessment and the provincial levy applied to computer hardware.
Presented by Ray Fortin & Mike BoydCOPTER Exemptions
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | McKnight East Room
This session will provide an overview of property tax exemptions in provincial legislation, with particular focus on the recent changes to the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation (COPTER). Issues will be explored further through specific examples of exemptions appeals decisions, and the strategic use of exemptions as a municipal policy tool. The presenters will compare and contrast how various exemptions issues have been managed in Calgary and Edmonton, and will invite attendees to share their own experiences and questions.
Presented by Greg Hutchinson, City of Edmonton and Stephen Berzins, AMAA City of CalgaryProgram at a Glance
View AAA 2026 Conference Details
The Spring Education Session is held at the same venue as the AAA Annual Conference and leads directly into conference week programming. For:
Conference theme and schedule
Full-conference and single-day fees
Banquet details and extra ticket pricing
Sponsorship opportunities