Articles about UBCM's annual Conventions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At last year’s Convention, UBCM held a Women in Politics session where participants identified the barriers that women face in the political arena. We are excited to continue the transformative dialogue by identifying actionable solutions at this year's Women Elected Talk (W.E. Talk) session on Monday September 16 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the UBCM Convention.
UBCM is accepting nominations for elected officials who have served over 25 years in office. Please submit nominations by Friday, August 23rd to celebrate and ensure recognition of long service local government leaders at the 2024 UBCM Convention.
UBCM is pleased to welcome George Stroumboulopoulos to deliver a keynote address at our 2024 Convention in Vancouver. Stroumboulopoulos was recently awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian media and journalism. The longtime media personality has interviewed the “who’s who” of entertainment icons, star athletes, world leaders, and respected thinkers over his career. George will bring his wit and insight to UBCM delegates as our keynote speaker for this year’s event.
UBCM staff will be available to discuss funding programs during Convention. Appointments are available with staff from the Canada Community-Building Fund and Local Government Program Services.
UBCM members are encouraged to book an appointment to meet UBCM staff and to discuss:
Tuesday, September 17 is Forum Day at UBCM Convention. Whether you are an electoral area director, urban mayor, councillor from a small community, or from somewhere in-between, there is a forum for you. Help shape the agendas for this year's forums by emailing your topic requests by Friday, July 5.
The four forums were created at the request of the membership, and are customized for specific types of local government: