BCAC26 Kelowna (YLW) Main Conference Sold Out

Some great add-owns still have tickets. Registration revenues up 69% over previous record with 5 days left.

Canada's premier aviation and aerospace policy/programs BCAC26 "Soaring Above Challenges – Eyes on the Horizon" Conference is shattering all records Take advantage of our Travel and Hotel Partners discounted rates while seats and rooms are still available – the CHL Memorial Cup is taking place in Kelowna during our conference so hotels and flights are filling up fast. 

Our conference hotel, the Eldorado and Manteo Lakefront Properties, sold out 4.5 weeks ago with 20% more room-nights than higher than old record.

Visit the conference registration page at bit.ly/BCAC26 and select the "Alternate Hotels" information tab for partner hotel recommendations and discount codes. If you're flying into Kelowna to join us, select the "Travel Partners" information tab for discount codes on airfare from Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Air North and Central Mountain Air.

Available Tickets at Bit.ly/BCAC26 

Sips with Sommelier: Today,15:35pm. El Dorado Vintage Room. Take advantage of this wine and food sampling with your hose, Bram - a local wine industry icon. $69.

Golf: Two tickets left. Monday 9:29am. $209 includes snacks and beverage in the clubhouse.

KF Aerospace/YLW Industrial Tour: Bus leaves Manteo Lobby Monday 12:20pm. Ends with sips and snacks in YLW check-in area. $49.

Strix Aerospace Innovations and Funding Workshop: Monday,1:45pm, Manteo Library. Complimentary. Light food and beverages provided. 

Welcoming Reception: Monday 6pm, Eldorado/Manteo. $64.

Historic Signature Dinner: Tuesday, 5:30pm. In the north hangars in the KF Centre for Excellence. Barry Lapointe is dusting off his legendary "God I Love Aviation" presentation among other timely topics. It is the first time we've been handed a food options menu to select from that included which classic aircraft we'd like on display! $144.

Make sure to review the Working Summary Agenda (updated three times a day) under the "Agenda" information tab on the Conference Registration webpage for the latest information on Speakers, Add-on Events, Panel discussions, Fireside Chats, the Welcoming Reception, the Signature Dinner and more!

Don't forget to register at bit.ly/BCAC26

Record Conference Sponsorship Set

To become a Silver Wings or BCAC27 sponsor, please contact our Executive Director, Dave Frank, and he'll be pleased to assist you.

Online Auction Runs to Wednesday, June 10th, at 6PM. 

Half of all gross auction proceeds are used to support our $250,000 annual Aviation and Aerospace Scholarship Program – the largest of its kind in Canada. The remaining proceeds support the development of BCAC programs and services that support the aviation and aerospace community in BC, especially our popular Youth and Human Resources offerings. Visit 32auctions/BCAC26 to view available items.

ALL PERSONALLY-DONATED ITEMS OR CASH DONATIONS WILL RECEIVE A CHARITABLE TAX RECEIPT
Donated items that are not physical, e.g. electronic vouchers or gift certificates, must be shipped by the donor to the winning bidder’s location (within BC) at the donor’s expense. Items donated for the auction will be accepted until one week after the conference closes. 

DONATED ITEMS RECEIVE SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION Sponsorship recognition will be similar to the itemized cash sponsorships on the first two pages, but at half Fair Market Value (FMV), plus promotion through our high-traffic online auction site. The Online Auction opens one week before the conference and runs for two weeks after the conference. 

DONATION OF ONLINE AUCTION ITEM 
Simply email info@bcaviationcouncil.org with the title for your item(s), a subtitle, Fair Market Value, brief description (including any restrictions/fine print), 1 - 4 photos of your item, a copy of your logo and your organization's website address.

For more information about Sponsorship or the Online Auction, please visit the "Sponsorship Opportunities" information tab on the conference registration page or view/print the PDF version here.

If you have any questions, our Executive Director, Dave Frank, would be pleased to help. We thank you for your ongoing support!

Special Thanks to our Airline Partners

On behalf of everyone at the BCAC, we just wanted to extend a special thanks to our airline Travel Partners for their ongoing support – you greatly increase the accessibility of our events and it is truly appreciated.

Key Non-Stop Carriers & Routes to Kelowna, BC (as of May 2026):

• Air Canada: Offers consistent service, notably from major hubs Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
• Pacific Coastal Airlines: Focuses on regional connectivity, featuring non-stop flights from Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince George, and Cranbrook.
• Air North: Operates direct flights from Vancouver (YVR).
• Central Mountain Air: Non-stop flights from Prince George and Vancouver
• WestJet: Operates direct flights from Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Victoria, and Toronto.

Visit the "Travel Partners" information tab on the conference registration webpage for select carriers, discount codes, terms and conditions. Seats are limited so book your flight now!

Questions? Contact us!

Scenic Kelowna (Photo/unknown)

Alternate Hotels Update

Our conference hotel base, the historic Eldorado and Manteo lakeside properties is SOLD OUT. For your convenience, we've compiled a local selection of Travel Partner hotels within walking distance (or a 13-minute drive/Uber) of the Eldorado/Manteo. Group registration links and discount codes are provided below or in the "Hotel Partners" information tab on the conference website. Rooms are subject to availability so reserve your room now!

Coast Capri Hotel Kelowna
1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6E8
Direct: (250) 860-6060

Quality hotel-style accommodations just a 10-minute drive/Uber from the conference hotel.

Group Discount Link: https://www.coasthotels.com/coast-capri-hotel/stay/rooms

Corporate Discount Code: BCAC

The Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna has graciously provided a group discount to our conference attendees. Use the Corporate Discount Code BCAC when reserving your room online.

If you call the folks at Reservations instead, don't forget to mention that you're a BCAC Supporter member attending the BCAC Spring Conference. Please be advised that you may need to present your BCAC Supporter member card when checking in – log into the BCAC website and visit your Supporter profile to download a copy of your card.

Sandman Hotel & Suites Kelowna
2130 Harvey Avenue,
Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 6G8

Direct: (250) 860-6409 ext.0

Another good, centrally-located hotel option for conference attendees – a scant 13-minute drive/Uber to the conference hotel.

Reservations may be made via:

Email: reservations@sandman.ca or res_kelowna@sandman.ca

Phone: Central Reservation 1-800-726-3626 / 1-800-SANDMAN or Hotel Direct (250) 860-6409 Ext. 0

In order to receive the correct rates, callers must reference SANDMAN HOTEL & SUITES KELOWNA – BLOCK ID: 655889

For this special BCAC26 YLW Conference Rate, reservations must be made by May 24, 2026.

Note: This is separate from our year-round, network-wide discount program with Sandman Hotels.

Siesta Suites Kelowna (Non-Travel Partner)
3152 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC, V1W 3T1
Direct: (250) 763-5013
stay@siestasuites.ca 
https://www.siestasuiteskelowna.com

(No group/corporate discount code.)

Clean, bright family motel-style accommodations just a four-minute drive/Uber or very pleasant 23 minute walk from conference hotel.

Just up the road from our official conference hotel, the cost-effective Siesta Suites Kelowna offers both rooms and suites with either kitchenettes or full kitchens. The Siesta Suites offer newly updated suites, bright rooms, two pools, and is a short walk to Gyro Beach, a Kelowna favorite. Comfortable and convenient, the Siesta Suites is an affordable option for a multi-night stay.

Just a reminder, the CHL Memorial Cup will be taking place in Kelowna during our conference so, if you'll be joining us, please reserve your hotel room today as accommodations will become both scarce and expensive in the coming weeks.

Tickets available under the Hockey, Wine and Other tab bit.ly/BCAC26

SUPPORTER PROFILE

YLW supports the rapid growth of their BCAC scholarship fund

British Columbia Aviation Council Raffle – Proceeds to the Kelowna International Airport YLW Scholarship Fund

The fourth annual YLW Helicopter Ball Drop provides ticket holders a chance to win one of three travel options. The golf ball drop is sponsored by Pattison Outdoor Media and Valhalla Helicopters.

How it works:

• Ticket buyers will purchase tickets $25 for one ticket or $90 for five tickets. There are a total of 968 tickets available, odds of winning are three in 968.
• At 5:30pm on Thursday, June 18, 2026, a helicopter will drop a bucket of balls onto the driving range, the closest three balls to each of the three flags (one flag per prize) will win that prize.
• Golfers will receive an email with their golf ball (ticket) numbers at time of ticket purchase.

Prize Options:

#1: Prize One - Bucket List Trip for Two to Whitehorse and Dawson City courtesy of Air North and partners, Northern Vision Development, Northern Tales and Klondike Experience! The iconic Experience prize package includes: Air North, Yukon's Airline, return airfare for two Kelowna to Whitehorse and includes a four-night stay gift certificate at one of Northern Vision Development’s six leading Yukon hotels. As well as a breathtaking Northern Tales “Northern Lights Viewing” package and a Tombstone Mountains tour for two with a ride up the famous Dempster Highway. 

#2: Prize Two - One round-rip flight for two guests valid for travel to any Porter Airlines destinations

#3: Prize Three - One round-trip flight for two guests to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet destination!

** Please Note that the ball drop will take place at 5:30pm at Okanagan Golf Club. If weather does not permit a helicopter to fly at that time, the ball drop will be delayed until such time that the helicopter is safe to fly.

Raffle License #173078 via BC Gaming

Sincere thanks to our Rockstar Sponsors

BCAC 2026 Kelowna (YLW): Soaring Above Challenges – Eyes on the Horizon Conference

Interested in Sponsorship? Please contact Dave Frank.