After two years of virtual engagement, UBCM is enthusiastic and energized to welcome back our member community in-person, September 12-16 in the beautiful resort municipality of Whistler. The 2022 UBCM Convention, is proving once again to be the must attend event on the BC local government events calendar. Our convention team reports delegate registrations continue to pour in daily, a clear indication that everyone is eager to reconnect face to face where we left off pre-pandemic!

The annual UBCM Convention is the only event where local government leaders and elected officials from every community across BC, all come together to represent, learn, share, and capitalize on their mutual experiences. The overall theme for the 2022 Convention, “Value of One, Power of Many" centers on the avenues, areas and ways local governments can and must forge forward together to successfully align resources to deliver community needs. We’re very excited to build #UBCM22, a unique opportunity for our members to join their local government colleagues for an engaging week of collaborating, contributing, and connecting.

The 2022 UBCM Convention Program is continually evolving and available to view on ubcm.ca. This year's Monday September 12th pre-convention agenda features a full day, multi-farm Agricultural Study Tour plus six intensive Study Sessions split into two tracks. The morning track has three distinct themes, with the afternoon session track delving into three completely different subject areas.

The Agricultural Study Tour includes four stops showcasing a broad and diverse range of dynamic farm operations throughout the Squamish Valley. Join the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food where you’ll discover the opportunities and challenges related to planning for agriculture in the Squamish Lillooet Regional District. Read more about this action-packed itinerary on ubcm.ca.

Here’s just a selection of the Study Sessions we’re working on. Housing Futures, Housing Solutions: a pivotal discussion about the critical housing issues facing BC communities, with an exploration into the complex avenues to advance housing affordability and how effective solutions may be achieved. Learnings from the Lytton Fire: Preventing Future Wildfire Disasters: an examination and discovery of how local ignition conditions impact extreme wildfires with approaches for community disaster mitigation. Reconciliation in Action: how local governments can advance their journey through concrete examples of reconciliation in action, plus updates on the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

If you haven’t done so already, you can augment your base registration to sign-up, with a nominal fee, to participate in these important learning opportunities. Seats are limited, so please reserve early. To Modify your existing registration, login with the email address and the registration number shown on your original 2022 registration receipt. If you have any questions regarding amending your registration, please email convention@ubcm.ca

The Provincial Appointment Book provides UBCM local government and First Nations members directions on how to request a meeting with The Premier and Cabinet Ministers and Provincial Government Staff from Ministries, Agencies, Commissions and Corporations (MACC) during the 2022 UBCM Convention.

Provincial Appointment Desk staff will be available on-site in Whistler to schedule meetings. The Government Appointments Desk will be located inside the main doors, then directly left in the Grand Foyer, Whistler Conference Centre (WCC).

Desk Hours: Monday, September 12 from 8:30am to 4:00pm in the WCC. On Tuesday, September 13 to Thursday, September 15 also from 8:30am to 4:00pm. [IMPORTANT – on these days, the desk moves to the Lobby, Cheakamus Room, Hilton Whistler Hotel] Questions? Contact the MACC Staff Meeting Coordinator, Eri Moriya, by phone at: 778-698-1686, or the Assistant MACC Staff Meeting Coordinator, Sarah Staszkiel, by phone at 778-405-1784 You may also reach them by email at: MUNI.UBCM.MeetingRequests@gov.bc.ca

During daytime convention programming from September 12 to 16, child minding services will once again be available to elected officials of the UBCM membership.

Parents must pre-register each child through UBCM to secure space for this special childcare program. Managed by a fully licensed and registered child care provider, services will be hosted at one of the hotel properties in direct proximity of the Whistler Convention Center. Parents will be charged a nominal fee of $30 per day, plus GST, for each participating child. As it requires UBCM to secure and plan for the appropriate number of nannies along with suitable play and rest spaces well in advance of convention, drop-in child minding services will not be available. To register, please visit the Child Minding Services page on ubcm.ca for more details. Parents must complete the Child Minding Registration Package and return by email to Karen at tradeshow@ubcm.ca by Friday, August 19, 2022 to guarantee space for each child.

Nominations are accepted every year between June and August for the Long Service Awards (25 years) and Special Long Service Awards (35+ years). The list of past recipients for these prestigious awards are listed on ubcm.ca. To celebrate and ensure recognition of your local government colleagues at the 2022 UBCM Convention, the submission deadline is August 31^st. Please email your nominations to Kelsey Mackay-Smith, kmackaysmith@ubcm.ca

While you are busy attending convention sessions, Whistler is a fabulous location for your accompanying partner and guests to explore. Tourism Whistler has curated a great selection of activities for UBCM Delegates and their family and guests to experience. For thrill-seekers, there’s bungee jumping, ziplining, ATV touring, and mountain climbing. For those who like lower-adrenaline activities, there are photo safaris, cultural excursions, and eco tours. And for those who just want to be pampered, the team at Tourism Whistler can help book appointments at a variety of spas and wellness facilities that offer a complete range of body work and treatments to help you rejuvenate, restore, and refresh oneself in the mountains.

Partners and guests are welcome to pre-book tours and experiences online directly through Tourism Whistler. The UBCM Partner and Guest Tour Desk will also be available Tuesday to Thursday, located in the Grand Foyer of the Whistler Convention Centre. Desk hours will be published in a future Bulletin.

UBCM has contacted travel partners to arrange discounts (where available) and information regarding popular travel options. Shuttle Service and Group Transfers are available from YVR Vancouver Airport, Downtown Vancouver, to and return from Whistler. For Air Travel: Air Canada, Helijet, Harbour Air and Westjet, are all offering special codes for various discounts. All travel arrangements are the individual delegates' responsibility. Please visit the Convention Transportation page on ubcm.ca for specific details.

On Saturday, September 10th more than 6000 cyclists are expected to participate in the Gran Fondo ride from Vancouver to Whistler. This will potentially have a significant impact on traffic if you are travelling on the Saturday prior to Convention. During the event, speed limits will be reduced to 60 km/h on sections of Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. Visit the Gran Fondo page for more detailed event, traffic and highway information.

With deep appreciation, UBCM would like to recognize and thank our sponsors for their continued support. When planning your in-person schedule and on-line screen time through the Convention Event App, please set aside dedicated time to visit our Sponsors' in the Whistler Conference Center as well as to click through to the virtual Sponsor Profiles featured in the Event App. Engage with these organizations that support us to bring you this event.

We understand that as business priorities shift, sometimes so does your availability to attend the Convention. Registration is 100% refundable, if cancelled (in writing) by Wednesday, July 29, 2022. A 50% refund will be issued, if cancelled between July 30 - August 12. No refunds will be processed after close of business, Friday, August 12. For registration assistance, or to provide cancellation notification, please email convention@ubcm.ca.