For decades, Heritage BC Conferences have been a cornerstone for the province’s heritage sector. They were a space to learn from one another, tackle challenges, champion each other and celebrate our successes. Over the years, the format evolved alongside the sector’s growth and expanding values. However, this year, we are undergoing an exciting evolution with our Me7 Elkstwécw-kt—Working Together in Tk̓emlúps (Kamloops) conference.
A Conference Rooted in Place and Collaboration
If you join us this year—and we hope you do—you’ll experience the unique character of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc land front and centre. We will of course still discuss topics of interest to heritage planners and advocates, but we will enhance the experience by immersing ourselves in the venues, stories, culture, and innovative spirit of the host communities. The approach of organizations in Tk̓emlúps and Kamloops toward problem-solving and collaboration will offer valuable takeaways for you to bring back to your own community.
This will be a more intentional, shared learning experience. Heritage BC conferences are modest in attendance levels, so too many break out sessions can lead to siloing among delegates. This year we are focusing on fewer, more immersive sessions that bring everyone together for deeper discussions. We believe this will encourage more meaningful connections among the heritage practitioners in attendance. We’re excited for the conversations this will generate.
Why the Change?
During our 2024 strategic planning, we took a hard look at past conferences—where they excelled and where they fell short. We recognized that while the old format aimed to accommodate a wide range of interests, the structure made it difficult to achieve shared understandings across disciplines. Attendees consistently gave feedback of wanting more focused discussions.
We also examined the financial sustainability and staff capacity required to run our conferences. Changes were necessary to ensure we can continue offering this annual gathering in a way that meets the needs of attendees, aligns with Heritage BC’s values, and is viable long-term.
What We Heard and How We Responded
Conference evaluations consistently pointed to the most valued aspects of past events:
- Place-based learning – Attendees preferred being in the community rather than confined to a conference hotel.
- Exploring the community & ‘hands-on’ experiences – These left a lasting impact.
- Networking opportunities – Allowing time to make meaningful connections were just as important as the sessions themselves.
- Local voices & perspectives – Content shaped by the host community resonated the most.
With these insights, we reimagined the conference experience. This year’s event is designed to be:
- Deeply embedded in the host community – Learning directly from Tk̓emlúps’ and Kamloops’ experiences.
- More collaborative, less siloed – Bringing delegates together for richer, shared discussions.
- Focused on connections – Ample time for networking and informal learning.
Join Us for a New Kind of Heritage Conference
The 2024 Heritage BC Conference is an opportunity to rethink how we come together as a sector to embrace new ways of learning and to work together in a way that truly reflects the evolving heritage landscape.
We can’t wait to see you in Tk̓emlúps (Kamloops). Let’s make this year’s conference the most impactful yet!