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2026 PROGRAM - SNEAK PEEK
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Join us as we kickstart the conference with local renowned drummers and throat singers.
John Colton (Ph.D., Head, Community Development, Environmental and Sustainability Studies)
Acadia University and a long-time adventure guide will kick off the conference with a session that provides a clear-eyed overview of the current state of our climate.
Grounded in science and the latest global and regional data, the Climate Reality Check sets the tone for the conference by highlighting the risks, challenges, and opportunities facing the tourism industry. It’s a moment to align our understanding, confront the realities of climate change, and frame the urgency and focus needed for the discussions ahead.
More details coming soon!
To be announced
To be announced
Let all that knowledge sink in!
Maureen Riley (Vice President, Industry Engagement, Destination Canada), and Caroline MacDonald (Director, Business Development - Curated Learning , Keyin College)
This session looks at how artificial intelligence is changing the way tourism works — from understanding what visitors want to marketing destinations more effectively. Destination Canada and Keyin College share real examples of AI tools being used right now, including the Aurora platform, and discuss what this means for tourism businesses and communities across Canada.
To be announced
Speakers TBC
This session explores how Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) and the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) are leading Atlantic Canada's shift toward regenerative tourism — moving beyond minimizing harm to creating experiences that actively benefit local communities, ecosystems, and cultural heritage.
David Goldstein (CEO, Travel Alberta), Christine Loth-Bown (Vice-President, Parks Canada) and Tyler Riopel (CEO, Travel Jasper) | Moderator: Seamus O'Regan
Two years after the devastating wildfires, this panel looks at Jasper National Park's recovery — what's changed, what's been learned, and what it means for the future of the park and the communities that depend on it. Panelists share on-the-ground perspectives on rebuilding, ecological recovery, and the path forward.
To be announced
John Steele (Owner & CEO, Steele Hotels), and TBC
How Gander, Newfoundland turned a few days in 2001 into Come From Away — and built a whole tourism economy around it. John Steele talks about what the town did right, what's stuck, and what other rural places can learn from the story.
Grab a coffee, find a new conversation, and keep the ideas flowing between sessions.
To be announced
TJ Arch (Target Marketing, Hello Humpback)
TJ Arch talks about the Hello Humpback app — how it helps people find, identify, and learn about humpback whales, and what it takes to build a tourism app that actually works for both visitors and local operators.
Roger Grimes (Former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; Chair, C-NLOPB) & Jim Keating (CEO, Oil & Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador), and TBC
A conversation on energy and sustainability — what's changing, what's working, and what rural and coastal communities need to think about next.
To be announced
Featured speakers — to be announced!
Fast, practical ideas for resilient places. Seven-minute rapid pitches from practitioners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders offering tangible, scalable solutions for sustainable tourism and local economies.
Join us at Quidi Vidi Brewery — a working craft brewery tucked into a historic fishing village — for an evening of local brews, harbour views, and good conversation.
2026 PROGRAM – SNEAK PEEK
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Join us for a continental breakfast and the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before the day begins!
Morgan MacRae (Co-Founder, The Masonic Project / Chair, The Marlowe Foundation)
What does it take to reimagine a historic building as a welcoming space for creativity and connection? The Co-Founder of The Marlowe Foundation and The Masonic Project shares the story behind the vision to transform a former Masonic Temple in downtown St. John's — from the decision to adaptively re-use a heritage building, to engaging the community for feedback and support, and considering how the space can serve both locals and visitors. A candid look at an ambitious project in progress.
To be announced
Sébastien Benedict (President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada)
TIAC's President and CEO shares a national view on sustainable tourism — where Canada stands, where it's headed, and what we can do to support communities, operators, and destinations from coast to coast.
Featured panelists — to be annouced!
How cruise itineraries and visitor experiences are developed — with an emphasis on community engagement, destination stewardship, and creating authentic experiences that benefit both visitors and residents. Using cruise as a lens to explore broader destination development themes, including collaboration between destinations, ports, tourism operators, and cruise lines, and the growing importance of community buy-in, social licence, and authentic local experiences.
To be announced
Enjoy a refreshment break while networking with attendees and speakers!
Featured speakers — to be announced
Featured speakers — to be announced
Jillian Larkham (Director of Tourism, Language, Culture and Tourism, Nunatsiavut Government), Stephanie Webb (Visitor Experience Coordinator, Nunatsiavut Government), Arctic Kingdom Representative — TBC
How does a remote, culturally significant region become a world-class tourism destination? This session traces the evolution of the Torngat Mountains experience — from early community vision to the thriving Base Camp operation of today.
Nunatsiavut Government staff will set the cultural and environmental context, then Arctic Kingdom shares their journey bringing that vision to life: from tent operations to dome infrastructure and what's next. Together, they'll explore heritage, community investment, and sustainable tourism in one of Canada's most remarkable landscapes.
Connect7 — Featured speaker TBC
Climate emergencies, accidents, and intentional acts dominate our news cycle and impact our communities at an ever-increasing rate. From massive wildfires, prolonged droughts, and torrential flooding to transportation incidents and acts of extreme violence, the world is a changing place — and tourism operates at the front line of these disruptions.
This session builds on the Risk Management and Resilience framework developed by Connect 7, applying it directly to the tourism sector. Participants will explore how to adapt resilient business strategies that protect both operations and reputation, and — most critically — how to ensure that visitors in our care are informed, supported, and, when necessary, safely repatriated during a crisis.
To be announced
To be announced
Grab a final cup and connect with fellow participants. A chance to exchange contacts, share takeaways from the day, and continue conversations before the closing session.
To be announced
To be announced
This session is a call to action for tourism professionals and community leaders to unite around shared sustainability goals, commit to meaningful change, and take concrete steps toward a more responsible industry.
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