BC Egg AGM & Conference 2024

February 29 & March 1, 2024  ⋅  Fairmont Hotel Vancouver  ⋅  900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Join us at the 2024 BC Egg AGM & Conference

We’re very pleased to once again be hosting an AGM and Conference focused exclusively on egg producers. The theme of this year’s conference is “Adaptability.” It’s a trait producers and allied trades are known for: whether they are being challenged by extreme weather, disease threats or just broken equipment we know you’ll step up and get the job done!

The event schedule was built to give you the tools and networking opportunities to continue to adapt to new situations – with a little fun along the way. New this year, the AGM will launch our Conference on the afternoon of February 29, and will be followed immediately by a late afternoon Welcome Reception and Trade Show. Friday, March 1 will feature education sessions, a keynote speaker and of course our Gala Dinner.

Event Registration

Registration for the 2024 AGM & Conference is Now Closed.

We look forward to seeing all our conference attendees at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver February 29 and March 1.

Full Package Registration includes attendance at all of our programming on February 29 and March 1, all meals on Friday, and dinner at the Gala Dinner event.

 

Hotel Reservations

Book your stay at the conference hotel, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver!
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, you’ll be steps away from all the conference events and activities and all downtown Vancouver has to offer should you wish to extend your stay. The Conference Rate will be honoured three days prior and three days after the event (based on hotel availability) so you can enjoy your time in Vancouver.

The discounted Conference Group Rate has sold out, but Fairmont staff are standing by to book you a room at their best available room rate.

Please call the hotel directly at 604.684. 3131 or 1.866.540.4452. Quote code: 0224BCEG_001

 

Deposit for one night’s stay and tax will be processed at time of booking.  Please contact hotel for more details.

Conference Programming

We’re changing things up this year, and kicking off our event with the AGM on Thursday afternoon. The AGM will be followed by a pre-dinner Country Carnival themed Welcome Reception and Trade Show, featuring fantastic egg-focused vendors, fun carnival games and delicious carnival treats.

Friday will be filled with egg-focused programming, including keynote speaker, education sessions, a board hot-seat, and of course our signature Gala Dinner on Friday night.

All programming is in the Pacific Ballroom on the Conference Floor unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

3:00 – 4:00
BC Egg AGM

  1. Welcome and Intro
  2. Adoption of Agenda
  3. Election Results
  4. Highlights of 2023
  5. Approval of AGM Minutes
  6. Marketing Presentation
  7. Supporting the Community
  8. Audit Report and Financial Statements
  9. Appointment of Auditors
  10. PMC Update
  11. Closing

4:00-6:00 pm
Country Carnival Welcome Reception

The Country Carnival will be held upstairs, on The Roof.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

 7:00 am-11:00 pm
Nest Box Lounge sponsored by Trouw Nutrition Canada

7:30-8:45 am
Breakfast
sponsored by Golden Valley Foods Ltd.

9:00-10:00 am
Welcome Speakers

  • Greetings from Al and the Board
  • Greetings from Ministry of Agriculture
  • Greetings from BC FIRB
  • Greetings from Egg Farmers of Canada
  • Greetings from Farm Products Council of Canada


10:00-10:30 am
Coffee and Snack Break
sponsored by Scotiabank

10:30-11:30 am
Concurrent Education Sessions

Education Sessions are held in the Boardroom, Tweedsmuir & Waddington rooms. See Registration Desk for details.

  • Emergency Preparedness Planning – presented by Cathy Van-Martin and sponsored by Farm Credit Canada
  • BC Egg Programs – presented by BC Egg Operations staff and sponsored by Bank of Montreal
  • HPAI Surveillance Using Environmental Genomics – presented by Dr. Kuchinski and sponsored by BC Centre for Agritech Innovation

11:45 -1:15 pm
Lunch
sponsored by Elite Farm Services Ltd.

  • Keynote Speaker Dan Trommater sponsored by Anser Power Systems

1:30-2:30 pm
Concurrent Education
Sessions

Education Sessions are held in the Boardroom, Tweedsmuir & Waddington rooms. See Registration Desk for details.

  • Emergency Preparedness Planning – presented by Cathy Van-Martin and sponsored by Farm Credit Canada
  • BC Egg Programs – presented by BC Egg Operations staff and sponsored by Bank of Montreal
  • Antimicrobial Peptides as Antibiotic Alternatives – presented by Dr. Birol and sponsored by BC Centre for Agritech Innovation

2:30-3:00 pm
Coffee and Snack Break
sponsored by Scotiabank

3:00-3:45 pm
BC EPA AGM
(Closed Session*)

3:45-4:45 pm
Board Hot Seat
(Closed Session*)

6:00-7:00 pm
Champagne Reception
sponsored by Superior Poultry Processors Ltd.

7:00-10:00 pm
Gala Dinner and Dancing
sponsored by Ritchie-Smith Feeds Inc.

10:00 pm-Late
Late Night Snacks

* Closed Sessions are available to BC Egg Producers only.

Education and Inspiration

This year’s conference features two education session class tracks, as well as a keynote speaker. All of our presenters will help you gain knowledge and skills to help you adapt to the ever-changing landscape of egg farming in BC.

Education Sessions

Education Sessions will be held in the morning and again in the afternoon, so you’ll have the opportunity to take two of the three classes on offer. Pre-registration is required to secure your spot in each session. Topics and presenters are being finalized, so check back often.

To register for your Education Session spot, please click HERE.
The DEADLINE to register for Education Sessions is Thursday, February 22.

 

SESSION 1 (Morning & Afternoon Track): Emergency Preparedness for Your Family Farm 

Speaker: Cathy Van-Martin

Know the Risks, Make a Plan, Practice your Plan: Since 2019 we have been through way too many emergencies and disasters. Learn what practical steps you can take now to reduce the impacts of your next farm emergency.

  • Cathy Van-Martin is an emergency management leader, with a Master’s Degree in Disaster and Emergency Management. She is a retired City of Burnaby Fire Captain and has responded to emergencies including major fires, hazardous materials, and technical rescue incidents. She was on the ground for 9/11 in New York and the 2017 BC Wildfires. Cathy has done consulting work for the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner and was the BC Poultry Association’s Emergency Operation Centre Incident Commander during the 2019 floods and for the onset of the current HPAI outbreak. She is currently leading the BC Poultry Association’s Training for Enhanced Destruction Capacity Project where she has successfully onboarded a third-party company to augment CFIA’s destruction capacity. In October 2023, Cathy was decorated with a Commendation for Bravery by the Governor General of Canada for saving the lives of three people in Abbotsford. Cathy’s family owns and operates B Jack Farms, where they are proud to produce healthy organic eggs.

SESSION 2 (Morning & Afternoon Track): Get to Know BC Egg’s Programs

Speakers: Joey Aebig, Scott Miles & Jaymie Thompson

Allocations? Production Sleeve? QCs? TAP? STTMQ? BC Egg has a lot of programs designed to keep British Columbians well supplied with locally produced eggs. You, the producer, should know about the various programs so you can take advantage of opportunities to increase your flock size or maximize your barn space. Is it better to use quota credits or apply for TAP B? Can I apply for the STTMQ program? BC Egg Operations staff will provide a brief overview of each program and talk about who can take advantage of them. There will be plenty of time in this session to answer individual questions.

  • Joey Aebig is the Manager of Operations & Logistics at the BC Egg Marketing Board. He is responsible for managing BC’s production, quota, and on-farm programs. Joey has been with BC Egg since February 2016. He was brought on as the Operations Assistant and promoted to Manager of Operations and Logistics in January 2017. Joey completed his Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
  • Scott Miles has been the Operations Assistant at BC Egg since March 2017. He helps producers with quota transfers, quota issuances, quota credits and fowl removal. Scott also administers the Small Lot Permit Program and assists with the New Producer Program. Scott graduated from the University of Guelph and worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Milk Marketing Board before joining BC Egg.
  • Jaymie Thompson has been a Producer Liaison Officer with BC Egg since December 2018. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Science at the University of Alberta in 2018.  Jaymie is responsible for on-farm audits and ensuring compliance with national programs.

 

SESSION 3 (MORNING Track): Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic AI Using Environmental Genomics

Speaker: Dr. Kevin Kuchinski

Traditional avian influenza surveillance programs test wild birds individually, but they struggle to sample enough animals and host species to provide early warning. This session will explore a new, high-tech approach based on environmental surveillance of wetland habitats. Using emerging genome sequencing technologies, diverse influenza viruses can be detected in sediment specimens, including those deposited by rare and cautious avian species that might normally escape surveillance programs. This session will present the results of a three-year pilot program in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland regions of British Columbia where this technology was used to monitor the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.

  • Dr. Kevin Kuchinski is a research scientist at the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. His specialty is developing genome sequencing technologies for surveillance of viral diseases in humans and livestock. Since 2017, he has collaborated with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Animal Health Centre to create a unique, world-leading program for avian influenza surveillance using environmental genomics.

SESSION 3 (AFTERNOON Track): Antimicrobial Peptides as Antibiotic Alternatives in Poultry Farming

Speaker: Dr. Inanc Birol

The silent pandemic due to superbugs – pathogens resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs – claims the lives of 1.5 million people annually, and agricultural antibiotic restrictions are a necessary component of wider strategies to curb the emergence and spread of superbugs. Nevertheless, these restrictions have unintended consequences at the intersection of agricultural economics, animal welfare, and human health. Consequently, poultry farmers are seeking alternatives. One such alternative is the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as functional replacements of conventional antibiotics. In this lecture, we will investigate how machine learning methods can be used to mine large genomics datasets to discover novel and potent AMPs, how these discoveries are validated in the wet lab, and how they are tested through animal experiments.

  • Dr. Inanc Birol is a Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia, a Distinguished Scientist at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, and an Associate Scientist at BC Centre for Disease Control. He is the lead Principal Investigator on a Genome Canada/Genome BC project to develop AMPs as antibiotic alternatives for poultry farming. He is also a Co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of Amphoraxe Life Sciences Inc., commercializing the AMPs developed through the Genome Canada/Genome BC project.

To register for your Education Session spot, please click HERE.

Become a Sponsor

Join us as a Sponsor

Our 2024 AGM & Conference event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors. This year, BC Egg is pleased to offer a number of unique sponsorship opportunities for our friends in allied trades and businesses. Sponsorships are limited, so we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment!

 

To download our 2024 Sponsor Package with details on each sponsorship opportunity, please click here.

 

Ready to register? Please click here to visit our Sponsor Registration portal. 

Thank you to our generous event sponsors!

Join us at our Country Carnival Reception and Trade Show!

This year, our Welcome Reception and Trade Show will have a fun new theme: Country Carnival! We’re inviting our vendors to join us for an afternoon of fun as we welcome our guests to our 2024 event. Vendor spots are limited so register early to avoid disappointment.

The event will run from 4-6 pm on February 29. We’re asking each Trade Show Vendor to host one of our entertaining carnival games. You’ll have an opportunity to engage guests with your game, you’ll be able to award small prizes for success, and you’ll have an opportunity to connect with each guest to chat about your products or services in a unique, fun-filled atmosphere!

Vendors should be prepared to bring small items for the game prizes – this can be branded collateral, typical midway game prizes, or candies (individually wrapped, please!). If you have questions or need inspiration, please contact our BC Egg Communications team.

In addition to the carnival game, you will also have a table for your vendor display and room for up to a 10’ wide backdrop (free standing only, please). We encourage you to embrace our Country Carnival theme with appropriate costumes for your staff and decorations for your table.

Your vendor fee includes admission to the Carnival for two staff to manage your booth. Should you require additional staff support, we ask that you purchase “Welcome Reception Only” registration through our general Event Registration access.
Please note that your Vendor fee does NOT include regular registration to the full AGM & Conference event or meals. 

Your Vendor Booth includes:

  • Complimentary attendance at the Welcome Reception and Trade Show for two booth staff
  • One carnival game, supplied by BC Egg
  • Table, 2 chairs, table cloth and carnival-themed decor item
  • Room for a free standing backdrop (no more than 10’ wide) or pop up banner

Welcome Reception & Tradeshow Vendor Booth – $400  SOLD! (Thank you to all our Tradeshow Vendors!)

Sponsorship Opportunities

Our sponsorship packages are listed below, or can be downloaded here. Once you’ve decided on a sponsorship level that suits your business and budget, please click here to visit our Registration Portal and secure your choice. 

Welcome Reception Sponsor – $5,000

Our Conference kicks off on Thursday afternoon following the AGM with a fun Country Carnival Welcome Reception and Tradeshow. Your title sponsorship of this event includes:

  • Complimentary Tradeshow booth at the Welcome Reception and Trade Show, with all amenities outlined above
  • 2 Complimentary Full Registrations to the AGM & Conference (including the Gala Dinner)
  • Welcoming remarks at the Welcome Reception (5 minute limit)
  • Can provide a gift item for delegate bags if you wish (item must be pre-approved by BC Egg and delivered to BC Egg’s office by February 15, 2024)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Gala Dinner Sponsor – $5,000  SOLD! (Thank you Ritchie-Smith Feeds!) 

The Gala Dinner is one of the signature elements of the BC Egg AGM & Conference. Your title sponsor of this prestigious event Includes:

  • 2 Complimentary Full Registrations to the AGM & Conference (including the Gala Dinner)
  • Welcoming remarks at the Gala Dinner (5 minute limit)
  • Can provide a gift item for delegate bags if you wish (item must be pre- approved by BC Egg and delivered to BC Egg’s office by February 15, 2024)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Lunch Sponsor – $3,000 SOLD! (Thank you Elite Farm Services!)

Sponsor our sit-down lunch March 1 and have an opportunity to greet our delegates as they join us. Your sponsorship includes:

  • 1 Complimentary Full Registration to the AGM & Conference (including the Gala Dinner)
  • Welcoming remarks at lunch (5 minute limit)
  • Opportunity to meet and greet attendees as they join us for lunch
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Keynote Speaker Sponsor – $3,000  SOLD! (Thank you Anser Power Services!)

At every conference, BC Egg features an amazing speaker to educate and inspire. This year our keynote speaker will present during lunch in the Pacific Ballroom. Your sponsorship of the keynote speaker includes:

  • 1 Complimentary Full Registration to the AGM & Conference (including the Gala Dinner)
  • Opportunity to introduce our Keynote Speaker (5 minute limit)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

“Nest Box” Lounge Sponsor – $3,000 SOLD! (Thank you Trouw Nutrition Canada!)

We know conferences can be hectic. Our delegates appreciate a quiet, comfortable space to take a break and recharge – quite literally! This year, we’re introducing the “Nest Box” lounge, where attendees can relax, take advantage of courtesy charging stations, connect with colleagues, and enjoy a light snack from our well-stocked snack and beverage bar. Your sponsorship of the Next Box Includes:

  • 1 Complimentary Full Registration to the AGM & Conference (including the Gala Dinner)
  • Opportunity to actively host the lounge with staff presence in the lounge
  • Branded tent cards on the tables and logoed charging stations
  • Can provide a gift item for lounge visitors if you wish (item must be pre- approved by BC Egg and delivered to BC Egg’s office by February 15, 2024)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Gala Reception Champagne Sponsor – $2,000 SOLD! (Thank you Superior Poultry Processors!)

Before the doors open for our Gala Dinner, we’re hosting delegates at our Gala Champagne Reception. As sponsor, you’ll have an opportunity to put your brand at the forefront with a branded printed ring on each glass of bubbly. Your sponsorship includes:

  • Branded champagne glass ring on every glass served at our Champagne Reception
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Breakfast Sponsor – $2,000 SOLD! (Thank you Golden Valley Foods!)

The early bird catches the worm and your sponsorship of our Friday morning breakfast allows you to do just that! Your sponsorship includes:

  • Opportunity to meet and greet delegates as they join us for breakfast
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Conference Bag Sponsor – $3,000  SOLD! (Thank you United Agri Systems!)

Each guest at our AGM & Conference will receive a reusable shopping tote packed with conference goodies. You Conference Bag sponsorship includes:

  • Name or logo on our reusable conference bags, given to each delegate (these bags are pre-approved by BC Egg with specs available on request)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Registration Gift Sponsor – $3,000

To make our event special, we always include a memorable, and useful, gift for our delegates. Your sponsorship of the Registration Gift includes:

  • Co-branding with BC Egg, including your company name and logo on our registration gift, given to each delegate (gift to be chosen in collaboration with BC Egg)
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Lanyard Partner – $1,500 SOLD! (Thank you TD Agriculture Services – Pacific!)

Each delegate at our event will be wearing a name tag, and each and every name tag will hang from a signature, branded lanyard! Become our Lanyard Partner and enjoy the following:

  • Name or logo on our nametag lanyards, given to each delegate
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Chocolate Egg Sponsor – $1,500 SOLD! (Thank you Island Eggs / Burnbrae Farms!)

Become our Chocolate Egg Sponsor and put a branded logo sticker on the back of an individually wrapped, artisan chocolate egg. An egg will await each guest at their Gala Dinner place setting. Your sponsorship includes:

  • Logo sticker on the packaging of our chocolate egg, given to each Gala Dinner guest
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Education Segment Sponsor (Three Sponsorships Available) – $1,000
ALL SOLD! (Thank you BC Centre for Agritech Innovation,  Farm Credit Canada,  and  Bank of Montreal!)

This year we’ll be offering delegates the opportunity to take two different education sessions during the day on Friday. Each segment will run in the morning and the afternoon, so each sponsorship will encounter two different audiences. Your sponsorship of an Education Segment includes:

  • Opportunity to introduce the speaker at one of our three Education Segments
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Coffee Networking Break Sponsor (Two Sponsorships Available) – $750 BOTH SOLD! (Thank you Scotiabank!)

Our Coffee Networking Breaks will allow our guests a chance to connect and recharge at two different points during our Friday programming. Your sponsorship of either one of these breaks includes:

  • Branded tent cards on food and beverage tables during one of our two Coffee Networking Breaks
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

Hydration Station Sponsor – $750  SOLD! (Thank you Hy-Line North America!)

We know that hydration is important so we’re providing water refill stations throughout our conference venue with chilled, fruit-infused water. As our Hydration Station Sponsor, your sponsorship will include:

  • Branded signage at all water refill stations, featuring fruit-infused water
  • Your company name and logo on our event website and onsite signage

 

Gold & Silver

In addition to our on-site sponsorship opportunities, we also have Gold and Silver level sponsors for those who simply want to help support our AGM & Conference event.

Gold Sponsor – $1,000

Includes:

  • Your company name and logo on-screen at the conference
  • Your company name and logo on our event website

Thank You Gold Sponsors! 

  • Clearbrook Grain & Milling
  • Otter Co-op Feed
  • Canadian Organic Feeds 
  • National Bank of Canada
  • Paragon Feeds
  • AgPro West Supply

Silver Sponsor – $500

Includes:

  • Your company name on-screen at the conference
  • Your company name on our event website