BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) is seeking proposals to present an educational session at our 2026 Symposium – a three-day professional development conference scheduled for April 28 to 30, 2026 in Vancouver at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.About BCRPA’s Symposium
BCRPA’s Symposium brings together over 400 recreation and parks professionals each year — including:
- Directors and supervisors
- Programmers and planners
- Volunteers and elected officials
Attendees come to explore promising practices, innovative solutions, and emerging trends in the sector.
What the Symposium Offers
- Inspiring keynote presentations
- Engaging plenary discussions
- In-depth workshops and snapshot sessions
- Networking opportunities and social events
BCRPA's Symposium attracts both new and returning delegates each year by delivering valuable insights that enhance professional knowledge and increase impact within their organizations.
Call for Presentations
We are looking for dynamic speakers and sector leaders to share:
- Practical tools and take-home tips
- Relevant knowledge, experience, and best practices
- Fresh perspectives that support the work of recreation and parks professionals
All presentations must include active delegate engagement, such as:
- Hands-on activities
- Breakout or small group discussions
- Q&A sessions and real-time interaction
Symposium's Education Streams
Symposium's 2026 Session Streams are inspired by the Framework for Recreation in Canada and include:
- Active living
- Inclusion and access
- Connecting with nature
- Supportive environments
- Recreation capacity
As well as BCRPA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Outlook Commitments:
- Well-being
- Reconciliation
- Belonging
- Climate Change
Important Submission InformationSUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday October 16, 2025
APPLICANT NOTIFICATION: January 2026
All submissions will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Overall quality of the proposal
- Focused and well-defined topic that aligns with one or more of education streams
- Articulation of how the presenter will engage participants through interactive delegate activities and leave participants with practical solutions and tools to take back to their workplaces
- Presentation history of the proposed speaker(s)
- Applicability of topic to a provincial audience of recreation and parks professionals