Bouchercon 2026 Update: November 2025

In This Issue

• Enjoy Your Trip! Stay Tuned

• Meet the Guests of Honour – Louise Penny

• FAQ

• Fun Fact

• Stay Connected

• Registration and Passport Reminders

• Hotel Information

Welcome

If you are new to our newsletter, greetings. We’re glad you’re here and excited to share our plans for Bouchercon 2026. It’s less than a year away and details are falling into place. Bouchercon originated in 1970, and it’s been growing ever since. We plan to make this the best one yet!

Please check our website for more information as events become available.

To see our past newsletters for Bouchercon 2026, click here.

Enjoy Your Trip!

Panels begin at noon on Wednesday, October 21, and the Closing Ceremony wraps up at noon on Sunday, October 25, so make sure you book your stay so you can catch every minute of excitement.

If you have the time, plan to extend your visit. Calgary has so much to offer and there are many pre- and post-convention tours you can add-on to your trip offered through our partners, which will take place between Monday, October 19 and Monday, October 26. You can see a tentative schedule and get more information here.

Meet the Guests of Honour:

Louise Penny

If you’re a mystery reader or writer, you’ll recognize this name. Louise Penny is our Lifetime Achievement Guest of Honour, and we are delighted to have her join us at Bouchercon 2026. 

Her awards are numerous (Agatha Award 8x); her series has been translated into 35 languages (everyone knows Armand Gamache); she has been a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel; AND she has received the Order of Canada for her contribution to Canadian culture!

Louise exemplifies dedication to her craft, and we are looking forward to welcoming her in October 2026.

Her newest novel, THE BLACK WOLF, released on October 28. Check it out, then dive into her backlist so you’re ready with your questions next October. For more information, visit her website here.

FAQ:

How will Bouchercon 2026 be Different?

You have probably already noticed one obvious difference in our website and promotional material…our spelling! Canada is one of the Commonwealth countries, along with Great Britain, Australia, and another 53 countries, so you may see the odd ‘u’ added to a few words and ‘double letters’.

For more information specific to Canada, please note the information in the Visiting Calgary portion of our website, with emphasis on sections concerning passports, Canadian currency, and using your cell phone.

Fun Fact

Calgary boasts the world’s largest pedestrian skywalk network, allowing visitors access to countless restaurants, cafes, and cultural attractions. Bouchercon 2026’s TELUS Convention Centre, and its associated hotels, are connected to this network, enabling a safe and easy trip anywhere in the downtown area. 

One of our volunteers using the Skywalk to travel between Bouchercon 2026’s associated hotels and the TELUS Convention Centre. 

Registration and Passport Reminders

Bouchercon 2026 is less than a year away! Register here and start planning your trip. Remember to check your passports now, so you have time to renew or apply if you need to.

Registration Tip: There is a spot for a pseudonym on your registration form. You can choose to have your pseudonym on your badge but ensure your registration at the hotel and convention is the exact same name as on your credit card, so you don’t encounter issues when booking.

Please Note: Convention registration and payment can only be completed through the Bouchercon 2026 website. We will never send a link for payment via email, PayPal, Zelle, etc. Payments are to Bouchercon Inc., in U.S. dollars.

Hotel Information

Calgary offers three hotels with special rates for Bouchercon attendees and hotel registration is now open! The Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Downtown, and the Fairmont Palliser are ready to welcome you to our city. All three are incredible, and a skywalk connects them to the convention centre.

The special rates available for Bouchercon attendees are only open to those who have completed their convention registration. If you book a room using the Bouchercon rates and are not registered for the convention within two days, your room reservation will be revoked.

Hotel registration can be found here. Make sure you check each hotel for their cancellation policies before booking, each one differs and they’re booking up quickly!

Stay Connected

For more updates, follow us on social media or check out our website. Keep checking for updates as more information will be forthcoming on a regular basis and increase as the convention draws closer.

We look forward to seeing you in Calgary!