As we prepare to gather in Victoria in October, dive into our program, where innovative experts share solutions for the future of solid waste management in British Columbia.
We kick things off with early access to our Virtual Hall for registered delegates, providing an opportunity to update your networking profile, explore the virtual space, and engage in exclusive Bonus Events designed to enhance your conference experience.
All of our pre-conference Bonus Events are included with a full registration or can be attended as single events by those unable to attend the whole conference.
Wednesday boasts a full day of roundtables, tours, workshops, Exhibitors, and a Networking Café to meet with friends, nosh, and network. Thursday is a full day of plenary panels, networking breaks, and a fun-filled Dinner and Dance! Friday is another informative, thought-provoking half-day.
From action-packed adventures to heartwarming tales, we’re bringing classic ’95 movie magic to every session. We’ve gone full ’90s nostalgia by theming our sessions around epic movies from 1995. Who says learning can’t have a cool soundtrack and some serious retro vibes!
1995 Movie Panel Theme: A Toy Story
The entire premise revolves around toys finding new purpose and meaning as they’re passed between children. Woody and Buzz don’t become worthless when Andy outgrows them – they discover renewed joy with Bonnie. This mirrors how we can extend the life of objects by finding new uses for them rather than discarding them immediately. Let’s learn from those who are redefining our relationship with objects to be based on care, creativity, and community rather than constant replacement.
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1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Usual Suspects
Just as investigators slowly piece together inconsistencies in the main character’s story, waste management professionals use sorting, testing, and tracking to identify contamination sources and various methods to compel the right actions in communities. Let’s hear about some leading contamination reduction strategies that uncover and solve the hidden truths.
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Join us for dynamic, small-group conversations designed to spark meaningful connections! Each table features a thought-provoking topic where you can meet fellow attendees and dive into engaging discussions. Simply grab your coffee, choose a topic that interests you, and pull up a chair. Conference Committee members at each table will help with introductions and keep the conversation flowing naturally. It’s a perfect opportunity to expand your network while exploring ideas that matter to you.
1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Demolitionist
Just as the 1995 film transforms a destroyed life into a force for justice, your panel represents the transformation of destructive practices into regenerative ones. Let’s move beyond demolition and toward compelling salvage, heritage conservation, and practical deconstruction practices.
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1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Net
Just like Sandra Bullock’s character discovers the incredible power hidden within computer networks, your non-profit is about to uncover the game-changing capabilities lurking inside Microsoft 365 Copilot and other AI. In “The Net,” Angela was a systems analyst working from home, navigating complex digital landscapes to solve problems – sound familiar? Today’s non-profit leaders are doing the same thing, except instead of uncovering conspiracies, you’re uncovering untapped efficiencies and community insights.
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For participant updates on solid waste initiatives. Registration is required in advance. SWM leaders from Local Government and First Nations only.
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1995 Movie Panel Theme: Batman Forever
Advancements in Waste Management. From Horse-Drawn Carts to Modern Trucks, Efficiency and Safety, Automated Sorting, Waste Processing Machinery. Just as Batman uses technology to protect Gotham, our industry has evolved from basic collection methods to sophisticated systems.
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1995 Movie: Empire Records
What does it take to scale local recycling and circular solutions that may require us to navigate higher costs, reimagine logistics, or get sector buy-in? How do we break through resistance to invest in solutions that deliver lasting resilience, economic strength, and environmental progress?
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1995 Movie: Out There
Composting is at the centre of diversion efforts, and uncovering the best methods to increase effectiveness and community uptake can take a path of investigation, unintentional challenges, and unexpected discoveries. The leaders you will hear from in this panel are not alien to success.
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1995 Movie Theme: Jumanji
Stuck in a game of environmental progress across the world, will it be kids who can free us and lead the way to more action? Braving indifference, time pressures, and a stampede of unclear Information, kids battle through the noise and lead the way! A special presentation by Holly Arntzen / www.ArtistResponseTeam.com
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6:00 PM Reception / 6:30 PM Dinner / 7:45 PM Dance
Get ready to party like it’s 1999! Join us for an evening that’s totally tubular as we wrap up Thursday with dinner and dancing to the best beats of the 90s (and other decades). Whether you’re rocking flannel and Doc Martens, sporting neon windbreakers and scrunchies, or channelling your inner Fresh Prince with backwards caps and high-top sneakers, come dressed to impress in your most radical 90s gear. Don’t have the perfect outfit? No worries – swing by our costume lending library to find everything you need to look fly. We’ll be spinning all your favourite jams from Britney to Backstreet Boys, so dust off those dance moves and prepare for a night that’s all that and a bag of chips!
Another great speaker in the works!
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1995 Movie: Les Misérables
Just as Jean Valjean transforms from a desperate convict into a force for good, post-consumer plastic gets a second life through circular innovation. What was once considered waste, becomes valuable material for new products. The plastic that might have ended up polluting oceans or landfills instead finds redemption through recycling and up-cycling processes. Lessons in transformation, redemption, and social
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1995 Movie: Die Hard With a Vengeance
EPR systems worldwide are experiencing their own “Die Hard moment”— transforming under escalating environmental pressures while navigating unpredictable market changes and industry consequences. Like McClane racing against ticking bombs, EPR must balance urgent environmental goals against the reality of industry adaptation timelines, material markets, and world events. Let’s explore what drives the need for EPR programs to continuously adapt and prioritize.
The Epilogue Speaker is an invited guest from the Ministry of Environment and Parks
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Just a few more minutes. We are very grateful for your time.
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CWMA acknowledges that we work as visitors on the traditional territory of the WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees), Wyomilth (Esquimalt) of the Coast Salish Nation.