2026 College Conference
The College’s 2026 Conference is on April 9-10, 2026 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC on the traditional lands of the of the Songhees Nation and the Xwsepsum Nation. Read on for more information about the speakers and panels.
Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the Conference through a live web broadcast. Details on registration for the virtual broadcast are below. Registrants who attend the Conference will be able to claim a maximum of 14 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. More information about CPD can be found here. Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 6, 2026.
Registration
Registering for the College’s 2026 Conference is easy. Simply navigate to the College’s portal, log-in, and select the 2026 Conference from the Events section.
You’ll be able to select your ticket, choose add-ons for additional opportunities to participate, and checkout — all within the portal! If you don’t have a profile on the College’s portal, that’s ok. You can quickly sign up with just your name and email and then access the event registration as normal.
NB: If you are looking for registration for the 2026 annual general meeting please visit note that the AGM will be held on May 13, 2026 and will be virtual only. Please contact the College office if you have any questions about accessing the broadcasts.
Pricing Information
| Pass | Early Bird Price | Total Price (GST incl.) |
| Online pass | $180.00 | $189.00 |
| Two-day pass | $500.00 | $525.00 |
| Welcome reception ticket (Wed. April 9) | $30.00 | $31.50 |
| Soirée reception ticket (Thurs. April 10) | $55.00 | $57.75 |
Please note Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 6, 2026.
2026 Conference Agenda
*Conference program subject to change closer to event dates
April 8th, 2026
Welcome Reception
- 7-9pm: Welcome Reception
April 9th, 2026
Conference Day 1
- 8:00am-9:45am: Continental Breakfast and Opening Remarks
- 10:00am-11:15am: Session 1
- 11:15am-12:45pm: Lunch and Keynote speaker
- 1:00pm-2:15pm: Session 2
- Networking Break (30 min.)
- 2:45-4pm: Session 3
Soirée Reception
- 7-9pm: Soirée Reception
April 10th, 2026
Conference Day 2
- 8:00-8:30am: Breakfast & Opening Remarks
- 8:30-9:30am: Special Session — Employers preparing young professionals for registration
- Cathy Mackay, Corinna Hoodicoff
- Networking Break (30 min.)
- Cathy Mackay, Corinna Hoodicoff
- 10:00-11:15am: Session 4
- 11:15am-12:45pm: Lunch and Keynote speaker
- 1:00-2:15pm: Session 5
- 2:45-4pm: Session 6
Committed Speakers
- Jesse Romano, Acting Director, Legislation, Ethics & Compliance, Engineers and Geoscientists BC
- Samuel Pittman, Director of Practice, College of Applied Biologists
- Julia Hengstler, Professor and Chair, Centre for Education & CyberHumanity, Vancouver Island University
- Michelle Carr, Commissioner & CEO, BC Energy Regulator
- Cathy Mackay, CEO, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.
- Corinna Hoodicoff, General Manager, Environmental, Associated Environmental Consultants Inc.
- Jane Park, Prescribed Fire Manager, Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program, University of British Columbia Okanagan
- Jason Kuzminski, JD, Interim Executive Director, Surrey Police Board
- Elaine Vale, Registrar, College of Applied Biologists
Tradeshow
Returning in 2026 is the College of Applied Biologists’ Conference Tradeshow. Within the Pender Island Ballroom of the Hotel Grand Pacific you will find a number of exhibitors with useful information, products and services.
Stay tuned as vendors are added. If you would like to be an exhibitor, contact Tory Davis, Communications Manager to see the 2026 sponsorship catalogue, or call the College Office at 1-250-383-3306.
Sponsors
TBA
The College is grateful for the support of its event sponsors. Are you interested in sponsoring the 2026 Conference or participating in the tradeshow? Contact Tory Davis, Communications Manager to see the 2026 sponsorship catalogue, or call the College Office at 1-250-383-3306.
Venue & Reception Information
The Hotel Grand Pacific is the venue for the 2026 Conference. Note the areas and rooms below for each conference program element:
- Conference plenary, April 9 & 10: Vancouver Island Ballroom
- Welcome reception, April 8: South Pender Island Ballroom
- Soirée reception, April 9: The Flying Otter Grill*
- Tradeshow, April 8, 9, & 10: Pender Island Ballroom
*Located off-site
Accommodation & Travel
Accommodation
The Hotel Grand Pacific is the event accommodation partner. The College’s group rate for the property is now available with rates starting at $199/night. The group rate is based on availability, so book now for best prices!
To book your accommodation using the College’s group rate, please contact the Hotel Grand Pacific reservations department and ask for the College’s group rate:
| Toll Free | 1-800-663-7550 |
| Direct | (250) 386-0450 |
| reserve@hotelgrandpacific.com | |
| Group Name | College of Applied Biologists Group Rate |
Travel
The 2026 conference is in beautiful downtown Victoria, along the Inner Harbour. Air travel from downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo to downtown Victoria can be achieved via floatplane with Harbour Air or helicopter via HeliJet. Victoria is also serviced daily by commercial aircraft at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and ferry service with BC Ferries. Please note that you must arrange for ground transportation if travelling by commercial aircraft or ferry, as these transportation hubs are located outside of the Victoria city centre.
If travelling by car, please note the following parking information provided by the venue:
- Over-night parking for guests is $23 per car/per night, plus taxes (self-park) for under-height vehicles only
- Underground parking garage maximum height is 6’4” — large trucks and vans generally do not fit in the parking garage
On-street parking is available but may be subject to maximum parking times (eg. three-hour max); other parking lots and city parkades are available but may require greater travel distance on foot.
