2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ON-LINE REGISTRATION TO BE LAUNCHED JANUARY 29TH

AT 12:00 NOON EST

Get ready for an unforgettable mountain adventure at our 50th Annual Conference which is set to be the best experience yet!  Visit the CAMA Conference website where you will find discount codes for Air Canada and WestJet and information for the Banff Lodging Company hotels that still have rooms left at a 20% off rate for all delegates.

Did you know that as a member, you can save up to $400 on your Conference registration? Please note that you must be a member in good standing to receive the member rate for the Conference.  First-time regular CAMA member delegates also receive $150 off the regular registration fee.

The full Program and on-line registration will be available on our website starting Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 12:00 Noon EST and also delivered to your inbox. This Special Edition e-Brief will provide you with a glimpse of the highlights, some speakers, and surprises that will make this event an unforgettable experience.

WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR AND HOST TOWN MANAGER

Mayor Corrie DiManno

Kelly Gibson, Town Manager

We’re thrilled to host this year’s CAMA Conference and we extend a warm welcome to all attendees visiting the jewel of the Canadian Rockies.

The Town of Banff is a global tourist destination that welcomes four million visitors a year, but we’re also a small community of about 9,000 residents who call this place home. We’re unique in that we were the first municipality incorporated in a national park, but we share the same goals as many small towns in this country to ensure our residents have a high quality of life.  

Banff National Park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Canada’s first national park, and we’re incredibly proud of our role as stewards of the land. You’ll see that everywhere you look in the park, and in our community, we strive to protect this special place.

You’ll have lots of opportunities to explore Banff and see what makes this place so special, and we hope you take the time to enjoy the many amenities we have to offer. Banff is a wonderful place for adventure, but it also inspires through its natural beauty. We hope you experience some of that inspiration over while you are here.

Thank you again for choosing Banff as the home of the 2024 CAMA Conference.

EMPOWER YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY:

JOIN YOUR COLLEAGUES AND FORGE CONNECTIONS

AT AN UNFORGETTABLE CONFERENCE

Theme: CAMA-RADERIE – Embracing Change.  This year, we’re diving into the heart of change with sessions that explore everything from cracking the code on 3D communication strategies, to leading in the new world of work, to charting the course of good governance with our Councils. Join us for a rollercoaster of topics that promise to reshape the way we lead, work, and thrive in local government.

Professional Insights and Celebrations.  Discover the human side of unconscious bias, your first 100 days as a CAO and mastering key relationships in local government, and municipal-indigenous partnerships.  Plus, gain valuable tips on resiliency, creating positive cultures, and conducting organizational reviews. We’ll also be celebrating personal milestones at the Long Service Awards Luncheon and highlighting excellence with the CAMA Awards of Excellence.

We are thrilled to unveil our exceptional lineup of keynote speakers for this event, featuring visionary thought leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Join us on Tuesday for the Opening Keynote with Tina Varughese, as she delves into the neuroscience behind Unconscious Bias, explaining why creating a culture of inclusivity profoundly impacts positivity. On Wednesday morning, brace yourselves for a riveting presentation from Pamela Barnum, where she will guide you through mastering difficult conversations and exhibiting calm confidence in every situation.

To conclude our event on an inspiring note, we are honored to have Eric Termuende as our Closing Keynote Speaker. Eric will share invaluable insights on successful leadership in a world yet to be created. Prepare to be enlightened, motivated, and thoroughly engaged by these influential voices in their respective fields, alongside a myriad of other exceptional speakers contributing to our plenaries and breakout sessions.

Tina Varughese

Pamela Barnum

Eric Termuende

UNLEASH YOUR ADVENTURE:

CAMA GOLF TOURNAMENT & SPECTACULAR

PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

Explore Banff in Style!  The Pre-Conference program is nothing short of spectacular. Picture this: golf at Silvertip Resort, thrilling Banff Rafting, a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka, a visit to the iconic Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and a gondola ride through Banff's historic highlights. The challenge? Choosing which adventure to embark on!

Whitewater Thrills at Horseshoe Canyon

Minnewanka Magic: Lake Adventure Extravaganza

Lakeside Bliss: Afternoon Extravaganza at Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Discover Banff, It's Wildlife Wonders & Gondola Escapade

CASUAL NIGHT OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS

Network with your colleagues at the Mount View BBQ. Immerse yourself in a unique, western Canadian experience with entertainment by the Kickstart Band Western Duo. It's a night of CAMA-raderie, line dancing, and fun against the stunning mountain backdrop. Dust off your stetson, wear your cowboy boots and denim, and get ready for a night of laughter, music, and good ol' mountain magic.

WORKSHOP: LEADING THROUGH CHANGE - HELPING YOUR ORGANIZATION, TEAMS AND STAKEHOLDERS NAVIGATE CHANGE

by Facilitator Suzanne Gibson

Suzanne Gibson will lead an inspiring workshop on “Leading Through Change”. Join this energizing learning session on Wednesday afternoon to examine how you and your organization can more effectively navigate fast paced and turbulent change.

Participants will identify and reflect on the complex changes that many of us are experiencing in the municipal landscape. We will learn about and apply two key frameworks and one powerful tool to better understand the impact of change on the people around us and how to respond more proactively. We will also explore key factors for personal resilience to uncover practical strategies that foster adaptability, responsiveness, and agility.

This workshop provides an opportunity to pause, take stock and reflect on how you and your teams can perform better in complex and changing environments. You will leave the session with concrete strategies, approaches, and actions that will help you to navigate change with greater finesse and success. 

FUN AND EDUCATIONAL STUDY TOURS

Don't miss the Study Tours – an afternoon filled with off-site excursions! Explore Banff's infrastructure, tour the Biomass Energy Centre, try your hand at driving a transit bus simulator, or dive into Cree Culture with an immersive experience of plant exploration and medicine product making with Matricia Brown.

Discovering Banff’s Tourism Backbone: A Comprehensive Infrastructure Tour

Biomass Energy Centre and Roam Transit Operations & Training Centre Tour

Wapakwanis Plant Walk, Make & Take – An Afternoon of Discovery and Connection

PRESIDENT'S DINNER EXTRAVAGANZA

GET READY FOR THE MOUNTAIN GARDEN GALA

End the Conference with a bang at the President’s Dinner! This year’s theme is “Mountain Garden Gala” where you can throw on your most fabulous pastel colors or floral patterns and grab a stylish sun hat or straw hat, and don't forget those delightful fascinators!  Embrace the colors of the garden in full bloom, including shades of green, pink, lavender and yellow.  

You will want to strike a pose at the fun photo booth, and dance the night away to the tunes of Two Bit Bandits Band!