Convention
Our Conventions
Annually, during the last week of April, the SILGA delegates gather to debate resolutions, get educated on local government matters and network with each other. The convention location moves between communities in the Southern Interior region. The City of Merritt will be our host for 2025.
The convention will be held at the Merritt Civic Centre. Dates are April 29th to May 2nd. See you there!
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Keynote Speaker
Norm Van Eeden Petersman
Norm Van Eeden Petersman is the Director of Movement Building at Strong Towns. Norm has published articles on housing, transportation, faith and culture and his writing appears regularly on the Strong Towns site. He is an energetic enthusiast for the work that Strong Towns members do around the world.
Norm spent 10 years pastoring churches in Canada as a preacher, teacher and leader. He’s worked in communications and stakeholder outreach for the Mayor of Surry BC and the Federal Minister of Health. Norm’s been a tree planter and construction laborer. He grew up on a dairy farm in Alberta. Today he coaches soccer, promotes cycling and advocates for better land use in the community of Delta as the leader of Deltans for People-oriented Places.
Networking Events
Tuesday Evening Pub Night will be held at three different venues. Each venue will have a theme – karaoke, trivia, and wine tasting – but all are within walking distance of each other.
The architecturally stunning Nicola Valley Institute of Technology will be the venue for the Wednesday Welcome Reception. Come enjoy a showcase of Merritt performers of all ages.
Bring your cowboy boots to our Thursday banquet! Feast on traditional smokehouse barbeque with a modern touch while dancing to the Coquihalla Coyotes. Cocktails start at 6:00pm, banquet at 6:30pm, and music begins at 8:00pm.
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2025 Program
View the convention program below. The schedule is up-to-date as of February 10th, 2025.
Registration
Registration opens on February 14th, 2025.
Early Bird registration runs until March 8th, and registration closes April 1st, 2025.
Click the link to go directly to the Registration Portal.
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Accommodations
Merritt Comfort Inn
Call 250-315-0237 and ask for the 2025 SILGA Convention rate
Merritt Best Western
Call 250-378-0700 and ask for the 2025 SILGA Convention rate
Ramada Inn, Merritt
Call 250-378-3567 and ask for the 2025 SILGA Convention rate
Quality Inn, Merritt
Call 250-378-4253 and ask for the 2025 SILGA Convention rate
Complimentary breakfast is available at all four hotels.
Resolutions
Resolution deadline for 2025 is February 21st, 2025.
Click here for the 2024 Voted Resolutions.
2024 SILGA Resolutions
UBCM Resolution Procedures and Database
Late Resolutions
Resolutions not received by February 21st will be considered late resolutions and must go through the following procedures to be considered at the AGM.
Late resolutions may only be introduced if received by the Resolutions Committee Chair at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the commencement of an Annual Meeting. Only emergent resolutions of a regional nature received after the deadline will be considered for acceptance by the resolution committee. Submissions must include the rationale as to why the resolution would be considered emergent.
Please click here for the AGM rules and procedures handbook.
This Year's Nominations
Nominations
Nominations for the 2024-25 SILGA Board of Directors will close on February 29th. Positions to be filled are President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and seven Directors. One member of the SILGA board must be an Electoral Area Director of a member Regional District. Those presently serving may run for another term if they so wish. Nominations from the floor will be accepted.
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Louise Wallace Richmond, City of Salmon Arm Councillor
President
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Bill Sarai, City of Kamloops Councillor
1st Vice President
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Bill Sarai, City of Kamloops Councillor
1st Vice President
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Tasha Da Silva, City of West Kelowna Councillor
2nd Vice President
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Tasha Da Silva, City of West Kelowna Councillor
2nd Vice President
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Spencer Coyne, City of Princeton Mayor
Director at Large
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Spencer Coyne, City of Princeton Mayor
Director at Large
- Phone:250 295 5553
- Email:
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Rolf De Bruin, District of Lillooet
Director at Large
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Rolf De Bruin, District of Lillooet
Director at Large
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Adam Etchart, City of Merritt Councillor
Director at Large
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Adam Etchart, City of Merritt Councillor
Director at Large
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Isaac Gilbert, City of Penticton Councillor
Director at Large
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Isaac Gilbert, City of Penticton Councillor
Director at Large
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Gord Lovegrove, City of Kelowna Councillor
Director at Large
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Gord Lovegrove, City of Kelowna Councillor
Director at Large
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Ward Stamer, District of Barriere Mayor
Director at Large
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Ward Stamer, District of Barriere Mayor
Director at Large
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Keith Thom, District of Peachland Councillor
Director at Large
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Keith Thom, District of Peachland Councillor
Director at Large
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Tricia Thorpe, Thompson Nicola RD Director
Director at Large
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Tricia Thorpe, Thompson Nicola RD Director
Director at Large
2025 Sponsors
Without the continued support of the following sponsors, the SILGA convention wouldn't be such a success!
Gold Sponsors
Enbridge
Fortis BC
General Sponsors
Municipal Finance Authority of BC
Silver Sponsors
Barkman Concrete
BDO Canada
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Council of Forest Industries (COFI)
CUPE
ETSI-BC
ICBC
Municipal Insurance Association of BC
Trans Mountain Expansion
Bronze and Recognition Sponsors
Association of Interior Realtors
Association of Mineral Exploration
BC Hydro
Fulton
Lidstone & Co.
McElhanney
Urban Systems
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exhibitors - Aleksi, Ronan and Ron
Trade Show Exhibitors
Association of Mineral Exploration
Barkman Concrete
BC Assessment
BC Dairy
BC Hydro
BCLC
BC Nurses Union
BC Road Builders and Master
Municipal Construction Documents
BC Rural Centre
BC Snowmobile Association
BC Transit
COFI
Creative City Network of Canada
Enbridge
ETSI-BC
Fink Machine
Fortis BC
Greenfoot Energy Solutions
Hunter Ink Communications + Consulting
ICBC
Interior Health Authority
Ken Matheson Story Through Film
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Operation Lifesaver
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Southern Interior Construction Association
Stats Canada
StructureCraft
Thompson Nicola Regional District
Trans Mountain Expansion
United Way
Levels of sponsorship available are as follows
GOLD
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Includes two registrations, allocated booth space as well as program, signage, website and video representation. Options are as follows:
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10 minute presentation time to delegation
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Welcome Reception sponsor
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Banquet sponsor
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Breakfast roundtable session (may be split between sponsors)
SILVER
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Includes one complimentary convention registration, allocated booth space as well as verbal, website and print acknowledgement
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5 minute presentation time to delegation
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Sponsorship of delegate gift, complete with company logo
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Name tag sponsor
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Community Excellence Awards
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Registration Desk
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Pub Night
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Reach for the Top
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Wifi Password
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Ted Talk
BRONZE
-
Includes one complimentary convention registration as well as verbal, website and print acknowledgement.
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Shuttle Services
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Grand prize
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Thursday delegate lunch
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Banquet wine
Recognition sponsorships
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Educational/breakout session(s)
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Speakers’ gifts
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Coffee break(s)
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Banquet Entertainment
Trade Show participant
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Booth Space with power supply and signage
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meals for 2 exhibitors during the trade show, including the welcome reception and banquet
Community Excellence Awards
Are you proud of your community or regional area’s accomplishments? Would you like it to be recognized at our convention and more broadly through social media and the news?
To promote the environmental, social, and economic well being of our member communities and to share ideas and best practices throughout the SILGA area, we have created awards to showcase a community in each of these categories. Deadline for submissions is February 1st, 2025.
See our ideas come to life
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Brands We Partner With
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Let’s get creative
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