Conference Agenda

What to expect

The conference offers a wide range of opportunities to learn, connect, and engage. From keynote presentations and interactive panels to hands-on workshops, outdoor activities, and facilitated discussions, the program combines big-picture insight with practical, real-world learning. Whether you want to build skills, explore new ideas, or connect with others across the recreation sector, you’ll find meaningful ways to participate throughout the event.

The agenda continues to take shape, with additional speakers and session details announced as they are confirmed. Program subject to change.

Join us

Don’t miss three days of learning, connection, and inspiration with leaders across BC’s outdoor recreation sector. Register now - early bird pricing ends March 14.

What to expect

The conference offers a wide range of opportunities to learn, connect, and engage. From keynote presentations and interactive panels to hands-on workshops, outdoor activities, and facilitated discussions, the program combines big-picture insight with practical, real-world learning. Whether you want to build skills, explore new ideas, or connect with others across the recreation sector, you’ll find meaningful ways to participate throughout the event.

The agenda continues to take shape, with additional speakers and session details announced as they are confirmed. Program subject to change.

Join us

Don’t miss three days of learning, connection, and inspiration with leaders across BC’s outdoor recreation sector. Register now - early bird pricing ends March 14.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Optional pre-conference workshops

9:00 AM–4:00 PM (TRU/off-site)

Kick off the conference with optional, hands-on learning opportunities focused on practical skills and leadership in outdoor recreation. Planned topics include trail building, wildlife safety, and governance, with sessions led by experienced practitioners. Some workshops will take place at TRU, while others may be hosted off-site for field-based learning.

Stay tuned for updates on topics, facilitators, and registration details.

Registration + expo

4:00–6:00 PM (rotunda)

Check in, pick up your conference materials, and connect with fellow attendees. Visit exhibitor tables to learn about programs, services, and initiatives from partners across the outdoor recreation sector. This is a great opportunity to network, explore resources, and kick off the conference.

Welcome reception

6:00-9:00 PM (Horticultural gardens, TRU)

Join us for an evening of connection in the beautiful Horticultural Gardens at TRU. Meet fellow attendees, speakers, and partners and enjoy light refreshments.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Registration and breakfast

7:00–8:00 aM (Grand hall)

Opening session

8:00–9:45 aM (grand hall)

Welcome and opening remarks to set the stage for the conference. The session will feature a keynote presentation followed by the panel discussion From Trails to Trust, facilitated by Peter Larose, which will explore collaboration, relationships, and shared stewardship across the outdoor recreation sector.

Refreshments

9:45-10:00 am

Breakout sessions (concurrent)

10:00-10:45 am

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

Blurred (Trail) Lines (Rocky Blondin and others)

Electric mobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorcycles) are fundamentally changing how people move on trails and landscapes. This cultural shift brings new user conflicts, new types of wear and tear, and new technologies governed by existing rules, creating significant grey areas.

Trail & Recreation Project Delivery (Tyler Wilkes)

Public demand and expectations for quality recreation experiences are increasing, but resources to build, maintain, and manage the infrastructure are increasingly limited. Making the most of resources is more important than ever. This presentation will share tips and best practices for efficient and effective project planning and execution at any stage of the recreation infrastructure lifecycle.

Making Fishing More Accessible (Matt Jenkins and Mike Gass)
Explore approaches and practical strategies to improve access to fishing opportunities for a wider range of participants.

Waivers & Insurance (Speakers: TBA)
An overview of key considerations, requirements, and risk management practices related to waivers and insurance in outdoor recreation.

Refreshments

10:45-11:00 am

Breakout sessions

11:00 am-12:00 pm

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

TED-Style Panel
A series of short, engaging talks offering fresh perspectives and practical insights from leaders across the outdoor recreation sector.

Working with Motorized Groups (Kristin Parsons and others)
Explore approaches for building constructive relationships, finding common ground, and addressing shared challenges between motorized and non-motorized recreation communities.

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (Speakers: TBA)
An overview of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and what they mean for outdoor recreation, stewardship, and collaborative land management.

Aligning Outdoor Recreation with Tourism (Dawn Rueckl and Erica Hummel, Destination BC)
Learn how outdoor recreation and tourism strategies can complement one another to support community development, economic resilience, and high-quality visitor experiences.

Lunch and keynote

12:00-1:00 pm (Grand hall)

Over lunch, we will hear from keynote speaker Mark Angelo, co-founder of ORCBC and founder of BC and World Rivers Day. Mark will reflect on ORCBC’s early years, sharing stories and inspiration from decades of leadership in river conservation, stewardship, and outdoor recreation.

Breakout sessions

1:00-2:00 pm

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

Regenerative Tourism and the “Thanksgiving Back” Campaign (CJ Blye and others)
Explore how regenerative tourism principles can move beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems and strengthen communities. This session will highlight the “Thanksgiving Back” campaign and its approach to stewardship, reciprocity, and visitor engagement.

Working with Private Landowners (Mosaic Forest Management and others)
Learn about best practices, opportunities, and considerations when developing recreation access and partnerships on private managed forest lands.

Working with Academia: A Collaboration with the BC Snowmobile Federation (Amber Lane and others)
Discover how recreation organizations can partner with academic institutions to strengthen research, data collection, and evidence-based decision-making, with a current collaboration example involving the BC Snowmobile Federation.

The Value of Roundtables: Multi-Use Trails and the Shuswap Regional Trails Roundtable (Brian Pratt, Linda Buchanan & Jen Bellhouse)
The Shuswap Regional Trails Roundtable is one of the most successful examples of a collaborative approach to planning, developing, and maintaining recreational trails. Panelists representing motorized recreation, equestrian users, and the Shuswap Trail Alliance will share the Roundtable’s guiding values and principles, as well as the working groups formed to advance specific projects — including the management of shared trail networks for equestrian, mountain bike, motorized, and hiking users.

Refreshments

2:00-2:15 PM

Community sharing sessions

2:15-3:15 pm

Organized outdoor activities - hikes, paddles and rides

3:15-6:00 pm (off-site)

Enjoy a guided hike, paddle or ride led by local recreation groups and the TRU Adventure Studies team. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration details will be emailed to all registered attendees. There is no additional fee to participate. Activities are weather-dependent.

Conference dinner & celebration

7:00 pm (Grand Hall)

Friday, May 22, 2026

Breakfast

7:00–8:00 aM (Grand hall)

Plenary session

8:00–8:45 PM (grand hall)

Responsible Recreation Panel
Join sector leaders for a plenary conversation on advancing responsible recreation across British Columbia. This panel will explore shared stewardship, education and behaviour change, partnership approaches, and practical strategies to support sustainable outdoor experiences for all.

Break

8:45-9:00 am

Breakout sessions

9:00-10:30 am

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

Panel: Making Trails More Accessible (Speakers: TBA)
Explore approaches, design practices, and partnerships that help make trails more welcoming and usable for a wider range of people and abilities. Panelists will share experiences, challenges, and practical strategies for improving accessibility in trail planning and management.

TED-Style Session (Speakers: TBA)
A series of short, engaging presentations offering fresh ideas, innovative approaches, and emerging perspectives from across the outdoor recreation sector.

Workshop: From Problems to Solutions (Magi Scallion, McElhanney)
An interactive workshop focused on moving from identifying challenges to developing practical, collaborative solutions. Participants will work through real-world scenarios and explore tools for problem-solving and action planning.

Workshop: Tracks & Trails (Nadine Raynolds, Yellowstone to Yukon)
A hands-on session exploring trail planning, design, and management considerations, with a focus on balancing user needs, sustainability, and long-term stewardship.

Refreshments

10:30-11:00 am

Breakout sessions

11:00 am-12:00 pm

TED-Style Presentations (Speakers: TBA)
A series of short, engaging talks highlighting innovative ideas, emerging trends, and practical insights from across the outdoor recreation sector.

Lunch

12:00-1:00 pm (Grand hall)

Breakout sessions

1:00-2:00 pm

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

Innovative Funding (Speakers: TBA)
Learn about new and creative approaches to funding outdoor recreation infrastructure, stewardship, and programming. Learn about emerging models, partnerships, and practical strategies to support long-term sustainability.

Trail Networks in Community Forests (Patrick Beech, Lees + Associates, Randy Spyksma, Forsite Consultants Ltd.; and others)
In many parts of B.C., building and maintaining trail networks is becoming increasingly complex, but community forests offer a different model. With a focus on local decision-making, relationship-building, and direct investment in recreation infrastructure, community forests play a unique role in trail development and management. As the provincial government looks to expand the community forest network, this panel of foresters, land managers, and trail association volunteers will explore both the benefits and challenges of developing trail networks in these landscapes.

Sustainable Gear (Kevin Pennock, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise)
Examine how gear design, production, and use are evolving to reduce environmental impact. This session will explore materials, lifecycle considerations, and practical ways recreationists and organizations can support more sustainable equipment choices.

Ktunaxa Cumulative Effects (Nikki Heim, Y2Y; Caitlin Jacobs, Y2Y; Andrea Kortello, Poisson Consulting Ltd.; Chad Luke, Ktunaxa Nation; and Katharina Bsteh, Province of BC)
Learn about cumulative effects from a Ktunaxa perspective and how long-term environmental changes influence land stewardship, decision-making, and outdoor recreation. This session will explore the importance of understanding interconnected impacts across landscapes and generations.

Refreshments

2:00-2:15 PM

Community sharing sessions

2:15-3.15 pm

Please note: The following sessions run at the same time. Participants will select one session to attend.

Building Membership (Speakers: TBA)
Share experiences and explore practical strategies for recruiting, engaging, and retaining members in outdoor recreation organizations. This facilitated discussion will create space for peer learning, idea exchange, and problem-solving.

Next Generation of Outdoor Leaders (Capilano University)
Hear from emerging leaders and educators about developing the next generation of outdoor recreation professionals, volunteers, and stewards. This panel will explore leadership pathways, training, and the skills needed for the future.

Fireside Chat: The Future of Resource Roads (Speakers: TBA)
A conversation exploring the evolving role of resource roads in recreation access, land management, and community use, including challenges, opportunities, and what lies ahead.

Break

3:15-3:30 pm

Plenary and wrap-up

3:30-4:30 PM (grand hall)

Join us for our final plenary (Blazing New Trails) as well as closing reflections and key takeaways from the conference.

ORCBC Annual General Meeting (for members)

4:30-5:30 PM

ORCBC members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting. Join us for organizational updates and an opportunity to help elect our next board of directors.