The Columbia Basin Trust Symposium takes place in Kimberley this weekend at the Conference Centre. The CBT typically hosts symposiums every three years. A real cross section of Basin communities attends the symposiums; local government, non-profits who work with the Trust, and also people interested in the topics being presented. All sessions are free of charge.
There is special excitement around the symposium this year as the keynote speaker is Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield. Hadfield will deliver his address on Friday, October 13 at 7 to 8:30 p.m. with a meet and greet afterwards until 10:30. Those sessions were free but you did have to pre-register online. They are now full.
There are many other events scheduled through the weekend as well. The focus of the Symposium is SHIFT! Thriving in Change. Fourteen sessions, with expert presenters, will focus on how to harness opportunities from three global trends; shifting demographics in Basin communities, rapidly evolving technology, and the changing climate.
Saturday and Sunday sessions will be available to view online at symposium.ourtrust.org/live if you cannot make it up to the Conference Centre.
“We are so pleased to share all the discussion and learning happening at Symposium with everyone in the Basin. Join our live stream online to be part of the audience from wherever you are. The live stream will share the amazing line-up of speakers with the broadest audience possible,” said Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Residents can also engage in the discussions and connect with speakers and participants by using the conference app and be part of the excitement of the event even if they can’t be there in person.”
And in addition to the various sessions and speeches, there will be an evening of culture and entertainment in the Platzl on Saturday evening, featuring:
- Live music by Shred Kelly
- Mount Baker Vocal Jazz Group
- Ktunaxa Youth Group Dancers
- Exhibits and free foods from different cultures from around the Basin (and the world!)
- Farmers market featuring vendors from around the Basin
- Live local artists
- Children’s activities
- FREE climbing at Spirit Rock (16 & under)
- A festival garden, where you can purchase microbrews from across the Basin.