BUILD THE NORTH CONFERENCE & AGM

The 2026 schedule is below. For more information, please contact our team at office@nrca.ca.

Program & Speakers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Sue Connors, CRO BC Construction Association
Sue will lead a practical, no-nonsense session on how AI is actually being used in construction today. She’ll share practical guidance on how to leverage AI responsibly, protect sensitive information, and build internal guardrails so your team can innovate confidently while staying safe and compliant, so attendees can see where AI adds real value and where it doesn’t.

Katy Fairley – Industry Practices Consultant, Fairley Strategies
Katy will lead a focused panel discussion on Bill 20 and the Prompt Payment Act, unpacking the legal framework, what it means for contractors and owners, and how the industry is preparing for full implementation. She’ll guide the conversation through the key legal requirements and common misconceptions. Attendees will come away with a clearer picture of where the legislation is headed, what to expect for enactment, and how to position their organizations for success.

LP Champagne – AVP Public Affairs and Industry Practices, Canadian Construction Association
LP will present a high-level look at the state of construction in Canada, framing where we are economically and what government policies and trends are shaping the sector. The session will cover key macroeconomic indicators, infrastructure spending commitments, labor market dynamics, and regulatory pressures that are influencing construction activity nationally.

Panel – Where Politics Meets Construction

• LP Champagne, AVP Public Affairs and Industry Practices, Canadian Construction Association
• Chris Atchison, President BC Construction Association
• Nicole Bryant, CEO Northern Regional Construction Association
• Moderated by Craig Larkins, Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Vancouver Regional Construction Association

This panel brings together industry leaders to unpack the forces currently shaping construction across the province and beyond. We’ll dig into the impact of tariffs on materials and supply chains, the momentum behind the “build, baby, build” push, and what it really means on the ground for contractors, owners, and communities. The discussion will also examine B.C.’s Infrastructure Projects Act, recent progress on prompt payment, and how these policy shifts are influencing procurement, risk, and cash flow. Finally, the panel will look ahead to the upcoming municipal election and why local political leadership will play a critical role in determining how, and how fast, we build over the next decade.

Local Leadership Panel
The Local Leadership Panel brings together respected industry leaders to share the real stories behind their careers, the pivots, setbacks, mentors, and defining moments that shaped their path. The conversation will explore how mentorship, workplace culture, and personal values influence advancement and long-term success. Panelists will reflect on what’s working well in our organization and where we still have room to improve, particularly in developing the next generation of leaders. This session highlights that leadership isn’t reserved for the top. Whether you’re new to the industry or growing into your next role, you have the ability to shape culture, influence change, and help define what comes next.

Sajjid Lakhani – Director, Impact Public Affairs
Sajjid will deliver a timely political update, outlining what we’re seeing from the federal government, key shifts at the provincial level, including implications from the recent budget, and what industry should be watching as we head into a municipal election year. The session will connect policy direction to practical impacts on construction, procurement, and regional growth, giving attendees a clear view of the landscape ahead.

Day One

12:00pm – Registration and Tradeshow Opens

1:00pm – Opening Remarks

Session Details to Come

Evening Network Event – Details to Come.

Day Two

7:30am – Registration and Doors Open

7:45am – Breakfast

Morning Sessions to Come

12:00pm – Lunch

Afternoon Sessions to Come

5:30pm – Networking Reception

6:30pm – Awards Gala Dinner