Keynote – Nathan Clement: Redefining Possibility

Sport has the power to challenge assumptions, remove barriers, and create opportunities for people to achieve more than they ever thought possible. As a Paralympian, advocate, and leader, Nathan Clement will share his personal journey of resilience, determination, and high performance, reflecting on the people, partnerships, and communities that helped shape his path to success. Through powerful stories and insights, Nathan will explore the role that sport plays in building confidence, fostering inclusion, and creating environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. His keynote will challenge attendees to think differently about accessibility, leadership, and the lasting impact that sport events can have on individuals, organizations, and communities.

Breakout Session 2A & 3A – Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion in Communities Through Sport Hosting

Sport events have the power to create more inclusive, welcoming, and connected communities. This panel discussion will explore how accessibility and inclusion can be advanced through sport hosting, drawing on the experiences from Whistler Adaptive Sports and other leading destinations and industry partners. Panelists will share practical lessons learned, partnership strategies, and practical approaches destinations and sport event rights holders can take to reduce barriers and expand opportunities for participation and meaningful competition.

Breakout Session 2B & 3B – Measuring What Matters: Demonstrating the Value of Sport Events

Sport events generate impacts that extend far beyond the field of play. As expectations for accountability, investment, and community outcomes continue to grow, event organizers, destinations, and host communities are increasingly being asked to demonstrate the value of their events. This session will explore the evolving landscape of sport event measurement, including the recent rollout of STEAM Pro by Sport Tourism Canada. Panelists will discuss how economic impact, visitor spending, participant experiences, community benefits, and legacy outcomes can be measured and communicated to funders, partners, sponsors, elected officials, and local communities. Attendees will gain practical insights into how impact data can support stronger decision-making, attract investment, and tell more compelling stories about the role sport events play in communities across British Columbia.

Breakout Session 2C & 3C – The Evolution of Events: Case Studies from Volleyball BC

The expectations placed on sport events have never been greater. Today’s events are expected to deliver economic impact, create community benefits, advance inclusion, support reconciliation, engage sponsors, embrace technology, and leave lasting legacies. Volleyball BC will be leading this in-depth session exploring the current challenges and realities of event hosting, as well as how they as an organization have chosen to adapt.

Breakout Session 4A & 5A – Rugby Canada: Building Partnerships for Long-Term Success

Sponsors, funders, and community partners are increasingly looking for meaningful engagement, measurable outcomes, and authentic connections. This session will explore how sport events can create compelling partnership opportunities, attract investment, and deliver value for sponsors, funders, businesses, and communities alike. Learn practical approaches to sponsorship development, activation, storytelling, and long-term partnership building.

Breakout Session 4B & 5B – Advancing Indigenous Engagement Through Sport Events

Meaningful Indigenous engagement extends beyond acknowledgements and ceremonial participation. This session will explore how sport organizations, destinations, and event hosts can build respectful, reciprocal, and lasting relationships with Indigenous communities. Through practical examples and lessons learned from sector leaders, participants will gain insights into partnership development, co-creation, cultural inclusion, and approaches that create shared benefits for communities and events alike.

Breakout Session 4C & 5C – Home-Grown and Built to Belong: The OneAbility Games Story

The OneAbility Games began with a bold idea: create a more connected and accessible pathway for people with disabilities to discover sport, participate, compete and belong. Inspired by successful models elsewhere and designed specifically for British Columbia, the inaugural Games brought together school-based participation, community programming and high-level competition in one multi-sport, multi-disability event. This case-study session will trace the journey from initial concept to event-day delivery—including partnership development, funding, program design, venue coordination and the creation of distinct participation and competitive streams. Organizers and collaborators will share what worked, what they learned and how the Games used sport to build confidence, connection and disability awareness. Attendees will explore how destinations, sport organizations and community partners can create home-grown events that respond to local needs, strengthen the sport system and grow into lasting signature events.

Closing Plenary –Event Legacy Planning: Beyond the Final Whistle

The true success of a sport event is often measured not by what happens during competition, but by what remains after the final whistle. This closing plenary will explore how organizers, destinations, and sport organizations can intentionally plan for and maximize legacy outcomes throughout the event lifecycle. Drawing on experiences from across the sport of ice hockey, panelists will share lessons learned, challenges encountered, and examples of how major events can create enduring benefits for athletes, organizations, and communities. Attendees will gain practical insights into how legacy can be defined, measured, and leveraged to create long-term value from sport hosting investments.

* Event agenda, timing, and session topics are subject to change.