Program at a Glance

ROLE CALL: Connecting All Pieces of the SustainAbility Puzzle

The morning session explores delegates’ specific roles in the move toward community sustainability. Delegates will break into the following 12 groups to discuss responsibilities, challenges, opportunities, lessons learned, and best practices.

The afternoon features informative, interactive, and fun opportunities for people from different groups / sectors to work together to solve common problems.

OPTION #1: SustainAble Water Management

This session features three keynotes and seven panel discussions addressing the following topics:

OPTION #2: Social & Cultural SustainAbility

This session features three keynote presentations, one panel discussion, and an interactive expo of social and cultural sustainability issues. During the afternoon expo / idea exchange, experts in the following areas will share their thoughts on opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, and best practices. 

OPTION #3: The Business Case for SustainAbility

Corporations are under increasing pressure to embrace social and environmental responsibility. Until now, there’s been very little evidence expressed in business language showing the benefits of the “triple bottom line” (People, Planet, Profits). International author and speaker Dr. Bob Willard will demonstrate that the benefits of sustainable development strategies make good business sense.  He will speak about the “business case” for sustainability, and provide advice for sustainability champions on how to navigate barriers to change within their organizations. He will also outline actionable tools for implementing sustainable practices that protect the environment while attracting and retaining talent, inspiring innovation, and increasing profitability.

Conversations That Count

This day features two keynotes, five breakouts, and 12 panel discussions, including: 

• COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY: The Rear View Mirror & the Crystal Ball
• ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS: Balancing Human Needs with Ecological Imperatives
• SUSTAINABLE PLANNING 101: Seeing the Big Picture
• SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS: Exploring the Benefits of GHG Modelling
• GREEN BUILDINGS & DEVELOPMENTS: Crafting a Foundation for Positive Change
• TRANSPORTATION: Accelerating Toward SustainAble Solutions
• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & ACTIVISM: Applauding Those Who Take a Stand
• SUSTAINABLE PLANNING 201: Connecting the Dots Between Frameworks & Plans
• SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS: Attaining & Sustaining Good Governance
• AGRICULTURE PLANS & POLICIES: Nurturing the Future of Food Security
• SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Balancing Green With Green
• CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION: Expediting Change Through Innovative Partnerships

Leadership That Inspires

This day features one keynote, one debate, ten panel discussions, and two workshops.

• SUSTAINABLE PLANNING 301: Optimizing the Benefits of Public Engagement
• SUSTAINABILITY TOOLS: Finding SustainAble Funding Solutions
• AGRICULTURE SUCCESSES: Growing Practical Solutions for Self Sufficiency
• CLIMATE ACTION SUCCESSES: Using Innovative Tools to Meet GHG Reduction Targets
• YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
• SUSTAINABLE PLANNING 401: Celebrating Successful Implementation
• COMMUNTIY DESIGN: Shaping Lovely and Livable Spaces and Places
• LEADERSHIP SUCCESSES: Believing It’s Worth the Risk!
• SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: Investing in New Ways to Solve Age-Old Problems
• EMERGING ENERGY ISSUES: Stepping Past Fossil Fuels
• STATE OF THE DEBATE: Life Science Intensive vs. Ecologically Intensive Agri-food Systems
• WORKSHOP #1: Housing Solutions for BC Communities
• WORKSHOP #2: Building Meaningful & Productive Relationships with First Nations