2026 AGM & Indigenous Tourism Gathering Agenda

Join us November 4 to 6, 2026, at ITBC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Indigenous Tourism Gathering. Celebrate a milestone for the industry and help shape the next 30 years of Indigenous tourism in BC.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 6-9 pm at And-Co Offices, 1575 W Georgia St #200, Vancouver

An exclusive evening gathering to welcome First Nation community leaders, representatives, and Indigenous Tourism Operators. Wear your moccasins and dress to impress, and remember to bring your drum to share songs and stories. No formal program. Light food and non-alcoholic drinks provided.

Please note that Rock your Mocs! is a 10-minute walk away from the Coast Coal Harbour.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 8:30am –  4:30pm at the Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel, 1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver.

An Indigenous Business Showcase will be displayed throughout the Gathering. Bring promotional materials about your tourism business to share!

8:30 AM    Registration & Breakfast
9:15 AM     Celebrating 30 Years of Indigenous Tourism 

ITBC opens the day with Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Board of Directors, and Paula Amos, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, celebrating 30 years of shared success. Building on the spirit of the Rock Your Mocs! event from the night before, they look back on the original ITBC Blueprint Strategy and set the intention for this year’s gathering.

9:30 AM    Annual General Meeting

10:15 AM   Blanketing Ceremony for Richard Porges, President and CEO, Destination BC

ITBC honours Destination BC President and CEO Richard Porges for years of partnership, wrapping him in our community’s gratitude and support. The ceremony marks a lifelong relationship with ITBC that continues long after he leaves his role.

10:45 AM   Health Break 

11:00 AM   ITBC Spotlight Session: Listening First, Voices of Indigenous Tourism Operators

Indigenous tourism operators are invited to share. 

12:15 PM    Lunch

1:00 PM      Proud Little Warriors – Cultural Performance

The Proud Little Warriors of the Squamish Nation bring the room back together through drumming and song. This group of young performers carries the spirit of their ancestors and embraces their heritage with pride.

1:10 PM      Listening First, Voices of Emerging First Nations Communities

First Nations communities building their tourism vision share who they are, where their journey stands today, and what they are working toward. 

2:15 PM      Extended Health Break

2:30 PM     The Next Blueprint Strategy: Empowering Indigenous Futures 

ITBC invites First Nation community leaders and representatives, Indigenous Tourism Operators, and tourism industry partners to roundtable conversations that look ahead to the next 30 years. Their input will guide the next Blueprint Strategy, rooted in a vision of Well-Being for All.

4:00 PM     Well-Being for All: a reflection of the day facilitated by Gabriel George, from Len Pierre Consulting 

The day ends with a reflection on what was heard throughout the day and share key takeaways. Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Board of Directors, provides closing remarks.

4:45 PM     Adjourned

Break for dinner, not provided.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 6pm –  9pm at the Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel, 1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver.

Featuring a variety of small plates, beverages, and music by Orene Askew, aka DJ O Show, an Afro-Indigenous female Hip Hop and R&B DJ.

Friday, November 6, 2026 | 9am –  12pm at the Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel, 1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver.

9:00 AM    Breakfast

9:30 AM     Stronger Together: Looking forward with our Tourism Partners

Reflecting on BC’s post-2026 tourism season, leaders from Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination BC come together for a fireside chat to share the successes and learnings from FIFA, and provide an outlook to what’s ahead for 2027 and beyond. 

10:15AM    Industry Partner Connect 

ITBC invites its closest partners and key organizations from across BC to breakfast, conversation and a resource fair rooted in genuine partnership. Destination BC, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program (IYMBP), Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC), and more will connect directly with attendees to share their resources, actions, and impacts for Indigenous communities and businesses.  

12:00 PM   Adjourned