2026 ORCBC Conference

Building Stronger Communities
Through Outdoor Recreation

 
 

Credit: Tourism Kamloops

Join us on May 20–22 at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops

The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORCBC) is pleased to host the 2026 ORCBC Conference: Building Stronger Communities Through Outdoor Recreation, held at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops as part of ORCBC’s 50th anniversary year.

This multi-day gathering brings together outdoor recreation organizations, volunteers, Indigenous partners, land managers, governments, and community leaders from across British Columbia to discover, connect, and help shape the future of outdoor recreation.

Join fellow community builders, practitioners, and policymakers to strengthen outdoor recreation across BC, and celebrate 50 years of leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.

Registration is now open. Secure your spot while Early Bird pricing is available!

Register for the Conference
 

Why you should join us

Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in building healthy, connected, and resilient communities across British Columbia. The 2026 ORCBC Conference is designed to support the people doing this work by creating space for learning, connection, and collaboration across sectors and regions.

This conference is an opportunity to step back from day-to-day work, learn from peers across the province, and build relationships that strengthen your organization, your community, and the broader outdoor recreation sector.

By attending, you will have an opportunity to:

  • Build meaningful connections with outdoor recreation leaders, volunteers, and partners from across BC

  • Gain practical insights you can apply in your own organization or community

  • Learn from peers navigating similar challenges and opportunities

  • Strengthen relationships with government, land managers, funders, and allied organizations

  • Leave with new ideas, tools, and perspectives to support your work

Whether you are a volunteer, staff member, board director, partner organization, recreation planner, or decision-maker, this conference is designed to support your work and amplify your impact.

 

Image: qathet Regional Cycling Association

Image: Destination BC & Taylor Burk

 

Program highlights

Explore sessions designed to spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and provide practical takeaways, including:

  • Collaborative recreation governance, with lessons from regional roundtables bringing multiple user groups together

  • Wildlife stewardship and coexistence, including strategies to support safe passage for species such as bears and wolverines

  • Reconciliation through recreation, highlighting Indigenous–non-Indigenous partnerships grounded in shared stewardship and planning

  • Managing trail use and growth at scale, using destination stewardship approaches with a long-term lens

  • Research-driven decision-making, drawing on insights from a yet-to-be-released research project, which captured feedback from thousands of trail users across BC  

  • Working across land tenures, including collaboration with community forests, forestry companies, and land trusts

  • Funding the future of recreation, with examples of tourism-led investment in recreation infrastructure

  • Stories of success from outdoor clubs, from long-standing trail networks to large-scale stewardship and hut-building projects

What to expect

Image: Cameron Dalinghaus

The 2026 ORCBC Conference will feature:

  • Inspiring keynote speakers, including the co-founder of ORCBC, Mark Angelo

  • Interactive panels and workshops

  • Community conversations and peer learning

  • Networking opportunities with practitioners and decision-makers

  • Place-based and field-focused learning opportunities

A detailed program and speaker lineup will be shared closer to the conference date.

Who should attend

The conference welcomes anyone involved in, or interested in, strengthening communities through outdoor recreation. This includes people working across sectors, regions, and roles, such as:

  • Outdoor recreation, trail, and stewardship organizations

  • Volunteers, volunteer leaders, and board members

  • Indigenous communities, governments, and partners

  • Local governments, regional districts, and provincial agencies

  • Tourism organizations and community economic development practitioners

  • Land managers, planners, and conservation professionals

  • Funders, researchers, and allied sectors working in recreation, environment, and community development.

Registration

Registration for the 2026 ORCBC Conference is now open!

Early-bird pricing is available for a limited time, with discounted rates for ORCBC members (direct and affiliates). Registration provides access to all conference sessions and activities outlined in the program.

Register for the Conference

Accommodation

Hotels

Discounted rates are available at the hotels listed below. Guests must contact the hotels directly and reference “BC Outdoor Recreation Conference 2026.”

Ramada by Wyndham Kamloops
555 W Columbia St, Kamloops, BC V2C 1K7
Distance to TRU: 1.2 km
Discount: 30% off regular rate
Phone: 250-374-0358
Email: frontdesk@ramadakamloops.com

Plaza Hotel
405 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC V2C 2G7
Distance to TRU: 3 km
Discount: 30% off regular rate
Phone: 250-377-8075
Email: frontdesk@theplazahotel.ca

Camping

For those who prefer to camp, there are several options in and around Kamloops.

Explore Kamloops

We encourage conference participants to extend their stay and spend additional time in Kamloops before or after the conference. Recreation groups are also encouraged to connect with one another and consider planning joint outdoor activities during their time in the region.

Kamloops offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities, including trail networks, rivers, lakes, and surrounding landscapes, as well as local food, arts, and cultural experiences.

ORCBC will work with Tourism Kamloops, local recreation groups, and Thompson Rivers University to gather and share information on outdoor recreation opportunities, attractions, and local experiences closer to the conference. Meanwhile, here are a few links you might want to take a look at: Discover Indigenous Experiences and Things to Do in Spring.

Frequently asked questions

    • Full conference registration includes access to all conference sessions, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon.

    • Details about field trips and recreation activities will be shared closer to the conference.

    • Attendees must wear conference badges to access all sessions and events.

  • No. The 2026 ORCBC Conference is an in-person event only and cannot be attended virtually. We have designed the conference to support face-to-face learning, relationship-building, and place-based experiences that are best delivered in person.

    • Full conference tickets include all meals and refreshments from the evening of May 20 to the afternoon of May 22, 2026.

    • Special dietary requirements must be submitted during registration or no later than May 2, 2026. While we will do our best to accommodate late requests, availability cannot be guaranteed.

    • The conference dress code is business casual, with comfortable shoes suitable for outdoor activities.

    • The program will include a range of optional outdoor recreation activities that participants can choose from. More details about activity options, locations, and equipment requirements will be shared closer to the conference.

  • ORCBC is committed to hosting an accessible and inclusive conference. Please contact us by May 1, 2026 with any accessibility needs or accommodation requests so we can do our best to accommodate them.

    • Payment is required at the time of registration. Credit card payments are accepted through the registration platform.

    • To pay by e-transfer, please contact info@orcbc.ca.

    • All tickets are non-refundable.

    • Registrations may be transferred to another attendee for a $25 administration fee, plus any ticket price difference if applicable.

    • To request a transfer, please contact info@orcbc.ca with the new attendee’s name, email address, and organization.

    • If the conference is cancelled by the organizer, registrants will receive a full refund of registration fees or may choose to apply their registration as a credit toward a future ORCBC event.

    • In the event of a cancellation, ORCBC is not responsible for travel, accommodation, or other costs incurred by attendees.

    • Yes. By attending the conference, participants consent to being photographed or recorded for event documentation and promotional purposes.

    • If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify the organizer in advance or indicate it on the registration form.

  • If cost is a barrier to participation, please contact us at info@orcbc.ca to discuss potential bursary options. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • If you have questions about the conference or registration, please contact us at info@orcbc.ca

Image: Steve Shannon Photography

Sponsorship opportunities

  • Align your brand with values that resonate: sustainability, health, community resilience, equity, and connection to nature

  • Reach a highly engaged audience of leaders in outdoor recreation, tourism, conservation, and community development

  • Demonstrate your commitment to access, stewardship, and collaborative solutions

  • Boost your visibility through multi-platform promotion, on-site branding, and meaningful engagement opportunities

  • Conference sponsors

Download Sponsorship package

Conference sponsors

The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia gratefully acknowledges the contributions of our conference sponsors.

This conference is made possible through the generous support of the Province of British Columbia.