You're invited to Room to Grow 2026!
An educational and networking forum for Canoe suppliers that currently hold a Sourcewell contract, this year’s event will take place in the beautiful Rocky Mountain town of Canmore, Alberta, Canada at the luxurious Malcolm Hotel on October 6 – 8, 2026.
Enjoy the opportunity to take in the stunning natural beauty of Canmore and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, connect with industry leaders, explore business growth strategies, and network with peers and the Canoe and Sourcewell team.
Registration
Room to Grow is an invite-only event and invitations are not transferrable. Registration is now open. Spots are limited.
If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Ashton, Business Services Coordinator, via email at sheila@canoeprocurement.ca.
Agenda
Please note that the agenda is subject to change.
| Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Registration | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 8:00 am – 9:00 am | First Timers Information Session | Malcolm – Glamis | ||
| 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Offsite Activity:
|
Location varies depending on the activity | ||
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Registration | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Welcome Reception | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner & Networking | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Welcome and Introduction – Year in Review | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 9:00 am – 9:30 am | Sourcewell & Canoe Update | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 9:30 am – 9:45 am | Canoe Communications Update | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 9:45 am – 10:15 am | Break | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 10:15 am – 11:00 am | Panel Discussion | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Keynote Speaker: Filipe Masetti Leite | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Breakout Sessions: 1:00pm – 1:45pm: 1 – Best Practices Dealer Distribution Network 2 – Best Practices Direct Sales Model 1:45pm – 2:30pm: 1 – Engaging with Canoe Members 2 – Canada Public Sector Trends 3 – Working Within the Canoe Family | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle/Glamis/Inverness | ||
| 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Break | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | Breakout Sessions: 1 – Engaging with Canoe Members 2 – Canada Public Sector Trends 3 – Working Within the Canoe Family | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm | Closing Remarks | Malcolm – Edinburgh Castle | ||
| 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner at Boundary Ranch Transportation provided. Bus departs at 5:15 PM | Meet in Malcolm Hotel Lobby | ||
| Thursday, October 8, 2026 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast at your leisure Provided by Canoe | Malcolm – The Pulse | ||
Agenda
| Tuesday, October 6 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Registration | |||
| 8:00 am – 9:00 am | First Timers Information Session | |||
| 9am – 4 pm | Offsite Activity Option 1: Golf at Silvertip Resort Option 2: E-Bike tour through Canmore Option 3 – Ride the Banff gondola | Varies bus/shuttle departures depending on the activity Lunch and transportation are included with each activity. | ||
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Registration | |||
| 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Welcome Reception | |||
| 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner & Networking | |||
| Wednesday, October 7 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast | |||
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Welcome and Introduction – Year in Review | |||
| 9:00 am – 9:30 am | Sourcewell & Canoe Update | |||
| 9:30 – 9:45 am | Canoe Communications Update | |||
| 9:45 am – 10:15 am | Break | |||
| 10:15 am – 11:00 am | Panel Discussion | |||
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Keynote Speaker: Filipe Masetti Leite | |||
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch | |||
| 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Breakout Sessions: 1:00pm – 1:45pm: 1:45pm – 2:30pm: | |||
| 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Break | |||
| 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | Breakout Sessions: 1 – Engaging with Canoe Members 2 – Canada Public Sector Trends 3 – Working Within the Canoe Family | |||
| 3:45pm – 4:00pm | Closing Remarks | |||
| 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner at Boundary Ranch | Transportation provided – meet in Lobby 5:15 PM Bus Departs | ||
| Thursday, October 8 | ||||
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION | ||
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast at your leisure | Canoe sponsored breakfast | ||
| 8:00 am – 4:00 pm | Sourcewell Advisory Meeting | |||
| 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Sourcewell Advisory Dinner | |||
Registration
Room to Grow is an invite-only event and invitations are not transferrable. Registration is now open.
If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Ashton, Business Services Coordinator, via email at sheila@canoeprocurement.ca.
Event Agenda
View the event agenda for sessions, speakers, panellists, and offsite activities, including location, time, and transportation schedule. The agenda is also in your event brochure.
Event Agenda
View the event agenda for sessions, speakers, panellists, and offsite activities, including location, time, and transportation schedule. The agenda is also in your event brochure.
Attendee Directory
This is the Room to Grow 2025 attendee directory. Only attendees who have consented to the directory have been included. This page is intended for registered participants only. Please respect the privacy and intended use of this information. The page password is on the back of your event brochure, next to the QR code.
Venue
This year’s event will take place in Canmore, Alberta at the Malcolm Hotel. Attendees are required to cover their own travel, including travel to and from Canmore, and accommodations.
The Malcolm Hotel
321 Spring Creek Dr
Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2J8
403.812.0680
Accommodation
Canoe has reserved a block of rooms at the hotel at a special rate. To book rooms, please visit the Malcolm Hotel booking site and apply the group attendee code 2610CANOE.
Alternatively, you may also call the hotel’s reservations line at 1.403.812.0680 and quote the group attendee code 2610CANOE, as well as your arrival date, to make reservations.
Shuttle Information
Please note that Canoe will not provide transportation to and from the airport.
In addition to car rentals, attendees can use the Tourism Whistler Shuttle system for transportation to and from the airport. Use the booking link to access different shuttle options and schedules. There is no specific code to use the shuttle.
The shuttle option provides an alternative to car rentals.
To book rooms in the reserved block for the remaining available dates at the conference rate, please follow the steps below.
- Click here to make a reservation.
- Click BOOK NOW
- Under ‘Add code‘, select ‘Group Attendee‘ then enter the promotional code: 2403CANO
- Click the ‘Select & Go to the Next step’ button
- Select booking dates then click update dates of stay
- Select your room type
- Select add room & checkout
- Enter all information required.
Please note that Friday, September 6, 2024, is the last day to book accommodations under the group rate.
Shuttle Information
Attendees can use the Tourism Whistler Shuttle system for transportation to and from the airport. Use the booking link to access different shuttle options and schedules. There is no specific code to use the shuttle.
The shuttle option provides an alternative to car rentals.
If you are flying into the Calgary International Airport, we have also arranged a special shuttle rate to get to Banff via Brewster Express. The airport desk is located in the Domestic terminal. To reserve your seat:
- Book online or call the toll-free number at 1.877.625.4372
- To get the special 15% off rate, when booking online use the code “roomtogrow” or if calling, mention you’re attending the Room to Grow event.
There is no guarantee of specific departure times and certain shuttles can sell out or be cancelled due to lack of bookings. You can cancel your booking until 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pickup time.
One on One Meetings
To book one-on-one meetings with Canoe staff, please contact Sheila Ashton, Business Services Coordinator, via email at sheila@canoeprocurement.ca to schedule a time slot.
Please note, there are limited spaces available so meetings will be booked on a first come, first served basis.
Accommodation
Canoe has reserved a block of rooms at the hotel at a special rate. To book rooms, please use the booking link.
Alternatively, you may also call the Global Reservations Centre at 1-800-441-1414 or send them an email at CWR.Reservations@Fairmont.com to make reservations. Please quote 2025 Canoe Procurement – Room to Grow, or CANOEP0925, when you reach out to the hotel in order to receive the group rates. The hotel will respond to emails within 72 hours.
Please note that the resort charges a mandatory $35/day ‘Resort Experience’ fee. The resort fee includes services and amenities like:
- Whistler Village Shuttle Service
- Fairmont Hotel Car Service
- Unlimited Business Internet Access in guest rooms and public spaces, plus Local Calls (All Members receive Premium Internet Access)
- Ski, Bike and Golf Cub Valet Service
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Daily Yoga Classes
- In Room Yoga Mats
- Access to Peloton Bikes and Online Programming
- Access to Rungo, an online local running and walking routes program
- Lobby Early Departure Coffee & Tee 5:00 am PST – 7:00 am PST
- Personalized Shoe Shine
- Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Courts and Equipment (seasonal)
- Unlimited access to Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club’s Driving Range (seasonal)
If you need assistance with your reservation, please reach out to Sheila Ashton at sheila@canoeprocurement.ca.
Keynote Speaker
Filipe Masetti Leite | Toronto, Ontario
World Renowned Adventurer | Multi Award Winning Filmmaker | Best Selling Author | Long Rider
Filipe Masetti Leite, the youngest person in the world to cross the Americas on horseback, shows us that no dream or goal is impossible when we plan, focus, and live with purpose.
After spending more than 8 years trekking 27,000 kilometers from Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, with 11 different horses, the journalist now speaks around the globe about leadership, adventure, taking risks, goal setting/accomplishment, resilience and never giving up. He uses powerful videos and stunning images from his journey to create an emotional presentation that keeps his audience on the edge of their seat.
Two statues in Brazil stand in commemoration of his unbelievable achievement, while his first pair of boots is showcased at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and his cowboy hat at the SAM Centre Museum in Calgary. To get a taste of what Filipe Masetti Leite endured on his record-setting expedition, watch his multi-award-winning feature documentary THE LONG RIDER now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Catriona Le May Doan is a legendary Canadian speedskater and a revered motivational speaker. She rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s as the world’s fastest woman on ice, breaking numerous records and winning multiple world championships in the 500m event. During her impressive career, Catriona Le May Doan was a four-time Olympic athlete and became the first Canadian to defend a gold medal at any Olympic games. She was the flag bearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and went on to win another gold medal in the 500m, setting a new Olympic record that wouldn’t be broken for 12 years.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Catriona Le May Doan is known for her dynamic public speaking. She is fluent in both English and French, and she captivates audiences with her personal story of overcoming obstacles to reach her goals. She encourages others to dream bigger, strive for excellence, and find their own path to success.
Catriona Le May Doan is a highly respected figure in Canadian sports and has received numerous accolades and honours throughout her career. She has been inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Sports Hall of Fame, and she has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. She has also been awarded three Honorary Degrees from Canadian universities and has given convocation speeches to graduating classes.
PANELISTS
Christine Heggart
Since 2008, Christine has worked for a rural municipality filling various roles, including: Director of Emergency Management (DEM); Communications Manager; Community Services Coordinator and Village CAO; FOIP & Subdivision Development Appeal Board Clerks; Elections Manager; Safety Auditor; Executive assistant to CAO/Council; Intergovernmental & Legislative Services Manager and most recently since 2019 the Director of Planning & Emergency Services, including oversight for land use planning, regional fire service, community peace officer program and regional emergency management.
Prior to working in municipal government, Christine worked in Calgary as a public relations and communications consultant at an international public and government affairs firm for five years. She then spent a few years at a non-profit agency supporting public communications and working for Alberta Learning before moving to rural Alberta to raise her family.
A designated Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) since 2015, Christine completed a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authorities Administration (University of Alberta), a Certificate in Municipal Management and Leadership (UofA Executive Education), a Bachelor of Management (University of Lethbridge) and a Diploma in Business Administration (SAIT). She concurrently held the position of Executive Director with Alberta Municipal Supervisors Association (AMSA) since 2013, supporting a progressive group of rural municipal public works leaders with communications and event management.
Recently holding the position of rural director for one term on the Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM) board, Christine is currently a co-lead of the Central Alberta All Hazards Incident Management Team (CRAHIMT), sitting on the CRAHIMT advisory and provincial AHIMT advisory committees, representing one of Alberta’s five AHIMTs. She also recently sat as rural representative with the David Thompson Health Advisory Council representing central Alberta.
Christine and her husband Curt have three daughters aged 21, 18 and 16, and over the years she volunteered with organizations such as junior achievement, and various school and sports clubs in positions of Chair or Treasurer.
Victoria Mirlocca
Victoria Mirlocca is a public procurement leader with over 15 years of experience in supply chain management, specializing in procurement, construction, contracts, and dispute resolution. As Chair of the Ontario Public Buyers Association, she drives national collaboration and professional development initiatives.
She is a seasoned instructor for OPBA’s Principles in Public Procurement program and holds multiple professional designations, including CPPB, C.I.M., C.Mgr, NIGP-CPP, CPSD and Q.Arb. Victoria also holds a Business Administration Diploma from Georgian College.
Todd Pugh
Todd Pugh is the Executive Director of CivicInfo BC, the Canoe Procurement Group’s partner in British Columbia. Representing more than 200 municipalities, regional districts, and other public bodies, CivicInfo BC is a non-profit agency that serves as the province’s central information and data hub for local governments and related organizations.
Under Todd’s leadership, CivicInfo BC has introduced a range of innovative services, including Canada’s largest local government job boards and the country’s first province-wide municipal election results reporting system. Outside of work, Todd can often be found playing recreational hockey, recovering from the injuries it inevitably brings, or spinning vinyl records that reliably and consistently embarrass his two teenage children.
OFFSITE ACTIVITIES
This year’s event offers a curated selection of unforgettable offsite experiences set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Rocky Mountains.
Choose from one of the following adventures:
- Tee off at the Silvertip Golf Course, surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Canadian Rockies
- Soar skyward on the Banff Gondola and take in panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Sulphur Mountain, and the charming Town of Banff
- Ride and feel your way through Canmore on a guided e-bike tour, blending active exploration with scenic exploration
- Experience culture and cuisine at the Boundary Ranch, where for a relaxing evening dinner
Please note: these activities will take place at the same time, so guests may select one option.
To conclude the event, all guests will come together for a memorable dinner surrounded by mountain views and warm hospitality.
Prepare to explore, connect, and unwind. Your Rocky Mountains experience awaits.
MOUNTAIN GOLF AT IT’S FINEST
Discover mountain golf at its finest. Perched on the sun-drenched slopes of Mount Lady Macdonald in Canmore, Alberta and surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, Silvertip brings together championship golf, refined dining, mountain events and seasonal outdoor experiences.
For more than 30 years, Silvertip has offered a place where alpine living and adventure meet. From spring through fall, golfers enjoy championship rounds framed by panoramic mountain views. In the winter, the resort transforms into a mountain retreat with outdoor experiences, relaxing escapes and indoor golf for year-round play.
HEIGHTEN YOUR SENSES
Enjoy a timeless gondola ride and a memory to keep forever. Soar to Sulphur Mountain’s summit and take in sweeping views of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff. Once you’re at the top, your adventure begins. Stroll the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak, or head inside to explore our world-class mountaintop discovery centre, where the story of Canada’s first national park unfolds.
With six stunning mountain ranges and the sweep of the Bow Valley before you, views from the Sulphur Mountain summit are nothing short of breathtaking. And there’s much more to discover in the state-of-the-art summit building — designed to heighten your senses at every turn.
GUIDED E-BIKE RIDE
Explore Canmore in a way that feels effortless, immersive, and completely tailored to you. This custom guided e-bike experience is designed to showcase the very best of the Bow Valley—whether that’s lakes, rivers, mountain viewpoints, local shops, or hidden gems you’d never find on your own.
Led by a knowledgeable local guide, your route is customized based on your interests, ability, and the season. In summer, cruise scenic pathways, the Bow River, and the Legacy Trail toward Banff. In winter, ride confidently on snow-packed trails with fat tire e-bikes built for stability and comfort in colder conditions.
With pedal-assist technology and high-performance bikes, you’ll cover more ground with less effort—making this experience accessible, fun, and memorable for all levels.
DINNER AT BOUNDARY RANCH
Wednesday, October 7, 5:00 PM
The real west in the spectacular natural beauty of the Kananaskis Valley. Join us at Boundary Ranch to discover the adventure and serenity of the Canadian Rockies. Embark on a wagon ride to explore scenic backcountry trails with captivating nature and mountain views.
Panelists
Tony Kulbisky, CLGM is the First Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) and also the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Westlock County. He brings with him over 30 years of provincial, regional, and municipal experience including more than 25 years in senior management.
Tony holds a BA from the University of Alberta (U of A) and a number of certificates including a Municipal Management and Leadership Certificate from the School of Business and a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration with Distinction both from the U of A.
Tony won the prestigious 2016 Award of Excellence provided by the Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta and was selected for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Tony has also served his community as a professional 1001 volunteer firefighter for over 15 years. Tony has served provincially on the Local Government Administrative Association (LGAA) Board as Director, becoming Vice President in 2011 and serving as President from 2013 – 2016 and now sits as Past-President.
Tony is an avid runner, having completed several charity runs as well as 18 half marathons (21 km) and two full marathons (42 km).