Articles about UBCM's annual Conventions.
Convention
Topic suggestions: Small Talk & EA Directors Forums
The Small Talk Forum unites the collective brainpower of communities with populations under 5,000, while the Electoral Area Director’s Forum explores the unique concerns and challenges facing electoral areas.
UBCM members are invited to submit topic suggestions for these forums by Friday, August 15.
New forum format at Convention 2025
The Tuesday Forums will look a little different this year for mid-sized and large urban communities. Traditionally the forums have been separated by community size, offering a space for local governments to discuss common issues.
Small Talk and the Electoral Area Director’s forums find value in this format, the nature of their size often posing unique issues to manage. Those forums will remain unchanged.
Memorial Wall at Convention
A memorial wall, honouring UBCM members, colleagues, and friends who have passed away this year, will be developed for 2025 Convention. If you know of an elected official in your area who passed away in the last 12 months, please get in touch with Zoë Ducklow by September 12, 2025 to ensure they are recognized.
Please include:
- Name
- Photo
- Elected position(s) they served
- Date range they were in elected office
Book appointments with UBCM funding program staff
UBCM staff will be available to discuss funding programs during 2025 UBCM Convention. Local governments are invited to book appointments with staff from the Canada Community-Building Fund and/or Local Government Program Services.
UBCM members are encouraged to book an appointment to meet UBCM staff and to discuss:
Long Service Awards nominations
Every year, we accept nominations for the Long Service Awards and Special Long Service Awards to recognize local government elected officials who have served 20, 25 and 35+ years. Awards are presented at the UBCM Annual Banquet at Convention.
Please complete the Long Service Awards nomination form by August 29, 2025 to ensure recognition of your local government colleagues.
Memorial wall at UBCM Convention
A memorial wall, honouring UBCM members, colleagues, and friends who have passed away this year, will be developed for 2025 Convention. If you know of an elected official in your area who passed away in the last 12 months, please get in touch with Zoë Ducklow by September 12, 2025 to ensure they are recognized.
Marcy Grossman to headline 2025 Convention
Our keynote speaker for the 2025 UBCM Convention is Marcy Grossman – a globally respected leader whose distinguished career in Canadian diplomacy has left an indelible mark on the international stage. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering peace, cooperation and mutual understanding across cultures and borders. Marcy is a pioneer in international business development. Her story will set the tone as she empowers, leads, and inspires us on the opening morning of Convention.
2025 Convention: Hotel room blocks open November 6
Room blocks for the 2025 UBCM Convention in Victoria, BC will open on Wednesday, November 6, 9 am. Please note, the hotels will not accept reservations before this date at the UBCM rate, and will not create waitlists. Reservations made before the block opening date through a third-party or at a different rate, cannot be changed to the UBCM room blocks.
W.E. Talk: Women electeds finding solutions together
Women in elected office are invited to attend a special session at Convention 2024: Women electeds finding solutions together. The session will continue the discussion from a Women in Politics session at last year’s Convention, where participants identified the barriers that women face in the political arena. We are excited to continue the transformative dialogue by identifying actionable solutions. Register now for the W.E. Talk: Monday, September 16, 4:30-6:30 pm.