BOW VALLEY BUILDERS & DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION
A Collective Voice for Industry & A Commitment to the Bow Valley Since 1995
BOWDA is the independent voice of the Bow Valley's building and development industry, advocating for our members and contributing to stronger communities.
30+ Years
Serving the Bow Valley
250+ Members
Businesses Representing 850+ Professionals
$650k+ Raised
Raised for Local Charities
OUR PURPOSE
Representing Industry. Supporting Members. Building Community.
For more than 30 years, the Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association (BOWDA) has represented builders, developers, trades, consultants, suppliers, and industry professionals, while serving as a trusted resource for municipalities.
Guided by integrity and fairness, we bring industry expertise to important conversations about how our communities get built and rebuilt. We support our members to connect, learn, and lead, and contribute to building thriving communities throughout the Bow Valley.
How We Support Our Members
Advocacy That Works for You
The building and development industry’s most important partners are the municipalities that help shape the communities where we live and work. Through active and ongoing engagement with Bow Valley municipalities and our members, we identify emerging issues, work constructively towards fair, transparent decision-making, and bring industry expertise and perspectives to planning, policy, and development conversations across the region
Networking That Creates Opportunity
From monthly luncheons to signature programs, BOWDA events are where people from across the industry share expertise, experience, and ideas, make valuable connections, uncover new business opportunities, and engage with the issues impacting our industry and communities.
Learning & Insights for a Changing Industry
BOWDA creates opportunities for members to expand their knowledge and learn from industry experts and peers alike. Through educational events, expert speakers, workshops, industry updates, committee participation, and shared learning opportunities, members can exchange ideas, explore new perspectives, and stay current with the evolving landscape of the building and development industry in the Bow Valley.
Lead Through Volunteer Engagement
Join a committee to contribute your expertise, help guide BOWDA’s advocacy priorities, and engage directly with municipal staff, decision-makers, and industry peers. Committee participation offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of industry issues, build relationships, and play an active role in guiding the future of the Bow Valley.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Bringing Industry Expertise to the Table
Advocacy is at the core of what we do. By bringing together the expertise, experience, and perspectives of our members, BOWDA helps inform the conversations, policies, and decisions that influence housing, infrastructure, planning, and community development across the Bow Valley. Through proactive engagement and constructive dialogue, we advocate for fair, balanced, and effective outcomes that benefit both industry and community.
COMMUNITY ACTION
Builders of Community
Our members help create complete communities: the homes people live in, the businesses where they work, shop, and eat, the parks, playgrounds, and trails where families and friends gather and connect, and the roads, utilities, and essential infrastructure that tie it all together.
BOWDA supports this important work by bringing industry expertise and experience to the conversations and decisions that influence our communities. We help inform thoughtful planning, strengthen community outcomes, and advance solutions that benefit the Bow Valley.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR BETTER OUTCOMES
How We’re Making An Impact
BOWDA works closely with municipalities, our members, and community partners, to share expertise, experience, and practical insights on the issues that matter most.
Through relationship-building, thoughtful engagement, and constructive dialogue, we help inform policies, planning, and decision-making that contribute to better outcomes for the building and development industry and the communities we help build.
Building Strong Municipal Relationships
Maintaining ongoing relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, and community partners creates opportunities for early dialogue, shared understanding, and more informed decisions on matters affecting industry and community.
Shaping Policy & Planning
Through committees, member input, and constructive engagement, BOWDA contributes industry expertise to municipal policies, planning initiatives, bylaws, and regulatory reviews before decisions are finalized.
Contributing Technical Expertise
Our members bring a wide range of specialized knowledge and experience that helps inform engineering standards, development guidelines, regulations, and planning processes across the Bow Valley.
Supporting Housing & Community Building
BOWDA contributes to conversations that influence housing supply, affordability, neighborhood design, and the creation of complete communities that meet the needs of residents, businesses, and future generations.
Advancing Sustainability & Resilience
Our members contribute to advancing practical approaches to sustainable building, climate resilience, responsible growth, and long-term community sustainability through innovation, expertise, and continuous improvement.
Bringing Local Perspectives Forward
Some of the most important decisions affecting the Bow Valley are made beyond our municipal boundaries. BOWDA brings local expertise and perspectives to municipal, provincial, and federal discussions involving policy, legislation, and regulatory decisions that affect our industry, communities, and region.
Thought Leadership & Learning
Through events, education, industry updates, and shared learning opportunities, BOWDA provides access to experts, ideas, and perspectives from industry, government, and the broader community to explore emerging opportunities and important issues.
Stronger Together
By bringing together expertise and perspectives from across the industry, BOWDA creates opportunities for members to build meaningful relationships, expand their professional networks, contribute their expertise, and help inform the conversations and decisions shaping the Bow Valley.
OUR SCALE
BOWDA by the Numbers
More Than Three Decades of Making a Difference
20+
local charities supported
(since 2012)
60+
committee members
250+
member businesses
represented
850+
professionals represented
15+
networking and educational events per year
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Building Our Community
"Being part of BOWDA means having a seat at the table where the future of the Bow Valley is designed and discussed responsibly."
Michelle Ouellette, MBA, RPP, MCIP
Associate Principal, Arcadis
Michelle has served as a Board Director since joining BOWDA in 2021. What she found with BOWDA is a community of friends and colleagues— and a welcoming place to connect, debate ideas, and identify solutions for community development in the Bow Valley.
In Michelle’s professional practice, she brings a grounded, community-informed perspective to the region’s growth challenges and opportunities. Her professional background in community development shapes her advocacy for thoughtful public policy and regulatory tools that support responsible growth while reducing barriers to unlocking development and achieving shared community goals.
With a focus on master planning, land strategy, and urban policy, regulation and implementation, Michelle advances projects that strengthen environmental, social, and financial sustainability across the communities she has the opportunity to serve. Her approach blends strategic insight with a deep commitment to collaboration, ensuring development outcomes that reflect both local priorities and long-term community resilience.
OUR COMMUNITY
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER 12, 2026
BOWDA November
Business Lunch
NOVEMBER 25-27, 2026
Building for Sustainability Symposium
DECEMBER 10, 2026
BOWDA Holiday Lunch &
Charity of Choice
Ready to Be Part of the Conversation?
Whether you’re looking to share your expertise, stay informed, build relationships, or contribute to the future of the Bow Valley, BOWDA offers opportunities to connect, participate, and make a meaningful impact.