Event Schedule

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

4:00 – 6:00 pm  Welcome Reception and Trade Show

The Welcome Reception will be held upstairs on The Roof.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

7:00 am – 10:00 pm  Nest Box Lounge

7:30 – 8:45 am  Breakfast 

9:00 – 9:45 am  BC EPA AGM 

9:45 – 10:30 am  Welcome Speakers

10:30 – 11:00 am  BC Egg AGM

1. Welcome and Intro
2. Adoption of Agenda
3. Election Results
4. Highlights of 2025
5. Approval of AGM Minutes
6. Report on National Issues – EFC & COP
7. Marketing Presentation
8. Supporting the Community
9. Audit Report and Financial Statements
10. Appointment of Auditors
11. PMC Update
12. Closing

11:00 – 11:30 am  Coffee & Snack Break 

11:30 – 12:30 pm  Concurrent Education Sessions

12:30 – 2:00 pm  Lunch 

• Keynote Speaker: Christophe Pelletier, Food Futurist

2:00 – 3:00 pm  Concurrent Education Sessions

3:15 – 4:15 pm  Board Hot Seat (Closed Session*)

4:00 – 5:30 pm  No Host Bar in the Nest Box Lounge

5:30 – 6:30 pm  Champagne Reception 

6:30 – 10:00 pm  Gala Dinner and Dancing 

For a map of the facility, please click here.

Education Sessions 

With an education session in the morning and a second session in the afternoon, there’s no need to choose between our offerings! Both topics will be offered in both time slots, so you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy our presenters.

SESSION 1 (11:30 AM OR 2:00 PM)
Building a Better Laying Hen: How Early Life Experience Affects Behaviour, Health and Welfare

Speaker: EFC Research Chair, Dr. Tina Widowski

Waddington Room

A successful transition away from conventional cages to more complex housing systems requires that today’s hens are strong, smart and calm, especially when they are destined for aviaries. A good start in the pullet house is essential, because early life experience of pullets determines bone and muscle development, ability to navigate complex environments and protects against behaviour problems.

• Tina M. Widowski, PhD, is Professor of Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare in the Department of Animal Biosciences.  She has spent over 30 years teaching and researching about how housing, transport and management practices affect the behaviour and welfare of farm animals. In 2011 Dr. Widowski was appointed the Egg Farmers of Canada Research Chair in Poultry Welfare, and since then, her research group focuses mainly on developing best practices for housing and management of growing pullets and laying hens. Dr. Widowski has supervised over 60 Masters and 12 PhD students and published over 200 scientific papers and book chapters. Many of her former students now hold leadership positions in agricultural industries. She has served on a number of scientific advisory committees for animal welfare guidelines including the National Farm Animal Care Council (Canada) Scientific and Codes of Practice Committees for Pigs, for Meat poultry and for Laying Hens. She was a member the Animal Care Program Team which wrote the on-farm animal welfare assessment for all laying hens in Canada and serves on the United Egg Producers Scientists Committee on Animal Welfare which develops animal care guidelines for 90% of laying hens in the USA.

SESSION 2 (11:30 AM OR 2:00 PM)
Succession Planning 101

Speaker: Manager, Advisory Services – Western Canada, Jolene Bolding

Tweedsmuir Room

The ins and outs of succession planning!

• With more than 25 years of experience in agricultural finance, Jolene Bolding has dedicated her career to helping farm families strengthen their businesses and plan for the future. Throughout her time in the industry, she has supported producers through complex farm and family transitions, guiding them as they navigate succession planning with clarity and confidence. As Manager of Advisory Services for Western Canada, Jolene leads a team of Business Advisors who share her commitment to supporting farm families. Together, they help producers begin meaningful succession conversations and regain momentum when plans stall—supporting families with practical strategies to move forward confidently.

SESSION 3 (11:30 AM OR 2:00 PM)
The SPRAWL Project

Speaker: Deputy Chief Veterinarian, BC, Dr. Chelsea Himsworth (DVM, MVetSc, Dipl ACVP PhD)

Boardroom

• Dr. Chelsea Himsworth, DVM, MVetSc, Dipl, ACVP, PhD, is a veterinary pathologist and epidemiologist who is the Deputy Chief Veterinarian for the Province of British Columbia, Canada, the British Columbia Regional Director for the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Her research and practice are centered around innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to the surveillance and management of animal health issues in agriculture. Dr. Himsworth will be speaking about the potential role of wind in the transmission of highly-pathogenic avian influenza.

Parking at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver hotel’s parking facility is adjacent to the hotel and offers both above-ground and underground stalls.

• Self Parking $70.00 CAD/night inclusive of taxes, including in-and-out privileges. Visitors may also use the street parking for a maximum time of two hours. It is metered from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.
• Valet parking is $85 CAD/night.

Electric charging is available on-site.

We do not recommend bringing large trucks. The venue cannot accommodate oversized vehicles or trailers of any kind. The parkade accommodates cars and small trucks up to a maximum of 6’3’’ in height.

For any vehicles taller than this, please note there is an over-height lot near the Vancouver Playhouse at 610 Cambie St (Lot #21 operated by EasyPark, tel: 604-717-7364)(13 minute walk). Another close over-height lot is at the foot of Denman Street at 501 Denman St (by Harbour Cruises) operated by Metro Parking (20 minute walk).

Visitors may also use the street parking for a maximum time of two hours. It is metered from 9 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.