Explore Past Conferences
Heritage BC’s Annual Conference is a chance for professionals across the heritage sector in BC to come together to connect, learn and discuss the future of heritage. Each year features discussions on the most pressing topics that heritage professionals are grappling with including, climate change, governance, conservation, planning, intangible cultural heritage, reconciliation and more.
Explore Past Conferences
2025 Conference: Me7 Elkstwécw-kt — Working Together
Kamloops May 22-23, 2025
Download the 2025 program
The 2025 Conference emphasized place, featuring panels, workshops, and site visits throughout Kamloops and on Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc land. Departing from the traditional conference setting, sessions highlighted local projects, community-driven initiatives, and sustainable heritage practices, all rooted in the rich cultural and historical landscape of the conference’s hosts: the Kamloops Museum and Archive and the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park. Read more about the conference format in our blog.
Explore Previous Conferences:
2024 Conference: Prioritizing People
Nelson, May 1-3, 2024, Nelson
The 2024 Conference highlighted the importance of putting people first in heritage work by exploring how collaboration with local voices empowers communities to share their stories, how inclusive conservation centers the human experience, and how prioritizing community needs fosters a more authentic, sustainable, and widely supported heritage legacy.
2023 Conference: Becoming Agents for Change
Chilliwack, May 25-27, 2023
Download the 2023 program
The 2023 Heritage Conference, held May 25–27 in partnership with the Heritage Chilliwack Society and the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, brought together heritage professionals, enthusiasts, and community members for engaging sessions, workshops, and discussions that celebrated local history and deepened understanding of heritage conservation. This collaboration made the event a vibrant, memorable, and impactful experience.
2022 Conference: Better Together
Victoria, Online May 4, 11, 18, 2022
In-person November 2-4, 2022
Joint conference with BC Museums Association
In 2022, Heritage BC and the BC Museums Association held a joint conference in two parts: online (Spring) and in-person (Fall). Those who attended in person gathered in museums, galleries, and heritage spaces across Greater Victoria to connect, engage with government stakeholders, and meet featured speakers from the online sessions. The event celebrated the return of in-person conferences and fostered valuable connections within the heritage and museum communities.
2021 Conference: Heritage In Action
Online, May 6-7, 13-14, 20, 27, 2021
The 2021 Heritage Conference focused on actionable strategies to address pressing issues within the heritage field, such as the impacts of the pandemic, climate change, and systemic racism. Held online, the conference featured sessions on building respectful workplaces, gaining community and political support, and driving reconciliation efforts.
2020 Conference: The Culture of Heritage: Place and Space
Chilliwack, May 7-9, 2020
In 2020, the Heritage BC Annual Conference theme, “The Culture of Heritage: Place and Space,” was set to explore the diverse ways heritage impacts our lives, societies, and environments. The event was planned for May 7-9 in Chilliwack, BC, featuring keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and tours. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was ultimately cancelled.
2019 Conference: Interpreting Heritage: Identity, Culture, Environment
Nanaimo, May 9-11, 2019
Download the 2019 program
Participants gathered in Nanaimo to explore how heritage can be a powerful tool for social change, cultural identity, and community development. The conference featured day-long workshops and walking tours, as well as a plenary session discussing the Provincial Roundtables on Heritage project and Heritage BC’s Annual General Meeting.
2018 Conference: Rich Heritage: Telling Our Stories
New Westminister, May 10-12, 2018
Download the 2019 program
The 2018 Conference focused on stories, connecting past, present, and future to preserve language, share knowledge, and celebrate cultures. Participants were welcomed into a series of discussions designed to build community, inspire action, and shape how we understand heritage.
2017 Conference: Imagining Futures
Victoria, May 4-6, 2017
The 2017 Conference invited participants to shift from reflecting on “what was” to envisioning “what can be,” exploring innovative approaches to shape a forward-looking, inclusive heritage landscape. Themes ranged from reconciliation and accessibility to technology and intergenerational engagement.
2016 Conference: PlaceMaking: Where Arts and Heritage Collide
Vancouver, May 5-7, 2016
Joint conference with Arts BC
Download the 2016 program
The 2016 Conference was hosted in partnership with Arts BC at Granville Island in Vancouver. Participants were invited to reflect on a series of topics centred around placemaking. Topics covered ranged from BC Societies and creative economies to revitalization projects and public art.