Travel Partners
Our amazing Travel Partners have generously provided discounts to BCAC26 conference attendees. Please note, Park'NFly and Budget Car Rental discounts are year round. Details below!
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K8QU2AV1
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BCACYLW26 |
Applicable Fares and Markets: 50% off Bravo, Classic, and Encore fares to/from YLW Terms and Conditions:
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BCAC2026 |
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BCAC2026
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Promo: 50% OFF Booking Window: May 7 - May 24, 2026 Travel Window: May 18 - May 29, 2026 Routes: To/From YLW ONLY Blackout dates: N/A
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Parking Partners
We're pleased to introduce a new, year-round Canada-wide partnership with Park'N Fly. Secure favourable parking rates and optional additional services at your home airport. When you reserve online with your local airport, put #1136298 into the "Discount Code" field.
Car Rental Partners
Please welcome our newest Travel Partner, Budget Car Rental! Under Budget's Business Program, BCAC Members can now take advantage of a dedicated Budget Corporate Discount (BDC) rate by using code: #A800600
Benefits include up to 30% off of base rates, complimentary Fastbreak membership (so you can bypass the counter), as well as a dedicated support team.
Questions? Contact us!
Speakers
Cathy Press, Chair, BCAC Board of Directors
Cathy Press is CEO of Chinook Helicopters and is a trailblazer in the aviation industry. As the first female helicopter flight instructor in Canada, she has passionately led Chinook Helicopters to international recognition for its helicopter and airplane pilot training programs. Her contributions to aviation were recognized in 2025 when Chinook received the Transport Canada Safety Award. Cathy completed her first solo at 16 years of age and is currently the only person in Canada who holds a “Transport Canada Pilot Examiner” status in both airplanes and helicopters.
Cathy acts as Chair of the Flight Training Committee for the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) and currently sits as a board member on the Abbotsford Airport Authority. In 2019, Cathy was named one of “Women’s Executive Network: Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women." In 2021, Cathy received an honorary doctorate from the University of the Fraser Valley, adding to her already impressive list of aviation accomplishments and awards.
Cathy has always taken a hands-on approach in supporting individuals who are starting both aviation and business careers. She continues to be passionate about helping others reach their goals as an educator and mentor.
James Hall, Emcee, Chair BCAC26 Conference, BCAC Board Director
James Hall, AAE, is the Senior Manager, Operations & Sustainability, Kelowna International Airport (YLW). In this position, James is responsible for Environmental, Airside Regulatory, Groundside Operations, as well as the Passenger Experience in the terminal operations. James is also very active in the Airports Council International Environment and Operations committees and was previously Chair of the CAC Operations and Technical Affairs Committee. He recently became the BCAC Respresentative on NAV CANADA's Advisory Committee.
James is passionate about aviation and in the advancement of carbon reduction strategies.
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is the 2026 BCAC Conference's Host Airport.
Lisa Setlakwe, Assitant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Transport Canada
Lisa Setlakwe has served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Safety and Security at Transport Canada since 2022, where she oversees the development and oversight of regulations and standards to support safety and security in air, marine, rail, and road transportation.
Lisa previously served as the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet Operations – Social Development Policy at the Privy Council Office, and the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Lisa has gained a wealth of experience throughout her career in the public service, having joined the former Industry Canada in 2008 as the Deputy Regional Executive Director with the Atlantic Regional Office. She later became the Director of the National Access Programs Directorate, Director General for Policy in the Science and Innovation Sector, and Executive Director of the Industrial Technologies Office, based in Ottawa.
Lisa began her career with Revenue Canada Customs and Excise and went on to work with the Royal Bank of Canada, where she spent five years in the commercial finance sector in Atlantic Canada, subsequently joining the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency where she spent eight years in the field of regional economic development. Lisa now lives in Ottawa with her husband Nathan, daughter and son.
Dave Frank, Executive Director, BC Aviation Council (BCAC)
Dave joined the BCAC because of his love for the people in aviation and aerospace; there is a real “can do” attitude in the industry. Dave is also a strong proponent of the future of our industry thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of today’s aviation and aerospace students. Along these lines, Dave is a regular Adjunct Professor at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Before joining the BCAC, Dave was the Director, Marketing and Public Relations, at St. John Ambulance (SJA), BC and Yukon division. Dave also chaired SJA’s National Marketing committee. Dave has been a Senior Executive with a regional freight and air ambulance operator, founded Canada’s first multi-modal foreign trade zone, and founded an international consulting firm focusing on transportation and social-economic development. Before that, Dave built the Industry Productivity Analysis Group within the (now) Sauder School of Business at UBC.
Dave has a B.Sc. (Physics) and an MBA (Transport) from UBC, spouse Meg Comiskey, daughter Taryn, son Jaryd, and answers to a young black cat named Raven.
Harvie Buitelaar, Board Director and Chair, Silver Wings Industry and Scholarship Awards Celebration Committee, BC Aviation Council (BCAC)
Harvie is Vice President, Infrastructure, with global engineering/consulting firm Hatch Ltd. since 2003. Harvie has held senior roles across the infrastructure sector since 2000, where the business has supported Airports, Rail, Transit, Ports, Highways, and Water infrastructure. Harvie has a specialized focus on Airports and Aviation planning, project management, design, and construction. His experience spans Canada and the United States. Hatch is 100% Canadian and is the world’s largest employee-owned engineering firm.
Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer, Kelowna Internation Airport (YLW)
Sam’s interest in aviation developed early; at a young age he was involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets where he achieved his private pilot’s license at age 17. In 1988, Sam commenced his airport career at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and, in 1992, he assumed the position of Superintendent, Airport Operations, at YLW. Sam has held numerous positions including Assistant General Manager for both Airport Operations and Airport Development, while achieving his International Accredited Airport Executive designation in 1997.
YLW is one of the top ten airports in Canada, expected to serve two million passengers in 2023, and was one of the fastest recovering airports in 2022 following the global pandemic. As Airport CEO, Sam currently is a board member of Tourism Kelowna, Airports Council International – World Executive Committee, and Chair of Airports Council International – North America.
Don Goulard, Vice President, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Infrastructure, Nanaimo Regional Airport (YCD)
Don Goulard brings extensive aviation and business experience to Nanaimo Airport. While earning his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), he apprenticed as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and advanced to become Production Manager at an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO).
Before joining Nanaimo Airport in 2016, Don served as Airport Manager in the Kootenays, gaining valuable operational insight in a dynamic regional setting. Don is also actively involved in shaping the future of aviation, serving on several provincial, national, and international committees focused on airport operations and environmental stewardship.
Don holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), is a licensed commercial pilot, and is recognized as an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) with IAAE Canada. When he’s not working at the airport, you’ll likely find him flying a variety of aircraft, or in deep research, narrowing down which make and model he’ll one day build and fly himself.
Heidi Grantner, General Manager & Partner, Synergy Enterprises
Heidi Grantner plays a central role in guiding both client work and the day‑to‑day leadership of the organization. She works closely with a wide range of clients to integrate sustainability into business planning, policy, and operations, ensuring climate action is practical, rigorous, and aligned with organizational goals.
With deep expertise in greenhouse gas inventories and carbon accounting, Heidi is known for her ability to dig into complex data and translate it into clear, actionable insights. She brings a thoughtful, solutions‑oriented approach to every engagement, combining analytical rigour with creativity to design elegant, effective pathways forward. Internally, Heidi is a trusted leader who empowers teams through knowledge‑sharing, collaboration, and a strong commitment to quality and integrity.
Heidi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Economics from Queen’s University and an MBA from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. She is an approved verifier for the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme and holds her GHG‑IQ designation from the Canadian Standards Association.
Rick Erikson, Principal and Managing Director, RP Erickson & Associates
RP Erickson & Associates is a Calgary-based, aviation consulting firm with qualifications in the disciplines of market research, strategic planning, economic and statistical analysis, government policy and policy formation, corporate and external communications, and strategic advocacy.
Rick parlayed an academic career into the consulting world in the last century and has completed assignments for foreign, federal, provincial and municipal governments, for domestic and international air carriers, airport and air navigation authorities and trade associations alongside country-level project work with ICAO.
RP Erickson & Assoc has completed over 50 economic impact studies beginning in the late 1980s at airfields across Canada, including repeat studies at five of the country’s NAS airports alongside an encompassing range of regional and small airport studies in virtually every province and territory. We have also undertaken the national economic impacts created at both Air Canada and WestJet, in addition to numerous discrete route impacts. Our most recent project was undertaking the Kelowna airport (YLW) study this past year. As such, we have gained a range of insights into the practice and value of airport economic impact analyses.
Rick is frequently called upon by the print, radio and television media for his views on national and international aviation events
Questions? Contact us!
Innovation Centre
At this year's conference, we are pleased to present the following companies participating in our Innovation Centre:
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Strix is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting innovation and collaborative research in the Canadian aerospace industry and related sectors. We aim to position Canada as the global leader in aerospace and defence innovation by fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and access to resources – driving sustainable development and integration of technologies and platforms of the future.
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Polar Aircraft Deicer is a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality aircraft deicing equipment, designed for regional airports and FBOs. Our units are built with flexibility in mind to match each operator’s needs, and we take just as much pride in providing reliable customer support throughout the life of the equipment. |
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Progressive Air Services is certified by Transport Canada as an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO 15-82) specializing in the repair, overhaul, and maintenance of Lycoming and Continental Aerospace Technologies piston aircraft engines. Our approved capabilities include:
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One22Point1 We design and prove innovative aviation engineering and software products solving problems and optimising processes, applying expert analysis and engineering principles to real world problems. We endeavour to provide effective solutions in the interests of economy and efficiency. Current products include aircraft identification and logging systems, lighting transformer cages, cover lifters, asset protection bollards. |
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Synergy Enterprises is a sustainability consulting firm that partners with airports and aviation organizations to build credible, results-driven carbon management programs. They support airports of all sizes, from regional gateways to major international hubs, with services including Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) verification and consulting, carbon accounting, corporate sustainability strategies, decarbonization strategy & planning, and solar feasibility studies. |
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Code Project Enterprise Ltd. of Vancouver, BC, is a boutique EPC firm specializing in turnkey aviation fuel storage and distribution systems — both stationary and mobile. Since 2019, the company has delivered aviation related public procurement contracts for the City of Williams Lake, Village of Valemount, Village of Masset, District of Lillooet, and Village of McBride. Applying innovative solutions is a core value in every project, including continuous fuel level and quality monitoring. Integrated since 2022, this monitoring has helped municipal airport clients maximize their operational revenue. |
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Air Trail is a Canadian aviation operations platform that replaces paper logbooks and disconnected spreadsheets with a single, Transport Canada-compliant system for electronic journey logs, flight operations management, and crew and fleet tracking. Trusted by over 40 Canadian operators, Air Trail delivers enterprise-grade configurability at mid-market pricing, giving operators the structure and visibility they need to run safe, compliant, and efficient operations. From small 702 operators to multi-base 705 fleets, Air Trail is the calm, reliable backbone your flight ops runs on. |
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Aviation Renewables is a global integrator of LED airfield and helipad lighting solutions with installations in more than 80 nations on all major continents. Having introduced solar LED marine lighting to the aviation industry in 2002, we offer design, supply, installation, commissioning, training and support for civil, defense, humanitarian aid and private operators. |
Questions? Contact us!
Air Operator Consultative Meeting (AOCM) Thursday May 28, 2026
2026 CHL Memorial Cup
*BUY MEMORIAL CUP TICKETS HERE*
The 2026 Memorial Cup, Canada’s biggest stage in junior hockey, is being held in Kelowna from May 21st – 31st at Prospera Place. A limited number of tickets are available for conference attendees! Below, please find early access promo codes for single-game tickets with limited availability for Games 2, 4 and 5.
https://selectyourtickets.evenue.net/promotions/WVSQ2
CODE: WVSQ2
https://selectyourtickets.evenue.net/promotions/WVSO4
CODE: WVSO4
https://selectyourtickets.evenue.net/promotions/QVSO5
CODE: QVSO5
More information: Tourism Kelowna and 2026 CHL Memorial Cup
O'Rourke Family Estate: Tours & Tastings
At O’Rourke Family Estate, private tours and tasting experiences are designed as immersive, cellar-led journeys through our architecturally striking winery and underground cave network carved from ancient granite.
BENCH EXPERIENCE
$150.00 per person + tax (4 guest minimum). A 2-hour privately guided tour of our Estate Winery including a tasting of our award-winning Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (4 wines x 2oz each).GRATITUDE EXPERIENCE
$200.00 per person +tax (8 guest minimum). A 3-hour privately guided tour with Welcome Sparkling Wine, followed by a tasting of our award-winning Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (4 wines x 2oz each), with a curated selection of canapés carefully paired and crafted by our Executive Chef.
(Note: For those who do not drink, it is $100 per person and $150 per person.)
Peak Cellars & Garden Bistro
O'Rourke's sister property, award-winning Peak Cellars & Garden Bistro, is just down the road. At Peak Cellars, BCAC26 Conference attendees can receive 10% off of meals, tastings, and wine purchases with the discount code “BCAC” when they visit between May 25th and 27th.
Explore Kelowna
So much to see and do! Please visit the Tourism Kelowna website for more information.
Entertainment
The aptly named "Dynamic Duo Band" will be providing engaging blues and classic rock entertainment at the Welcoming Reception. Dennis and Curtis are two accomplished musicians who joined forces to provide high-quality entertainment for all to enjoy.
Curtis is a professional saxophonist, composer and multi-instrumentalist that brings a sultry and soothing sound that is characteristic of the saxophone.
Dennis is a versatile keyboardist and accomplished vocalist who has woven a rich tapestry of musical experiences through out his career.
Michael Averill is an insightful and captivating speaker and songwriter renowned for his ability to foster deep connections and inspire creativity far and wide. With over 20 years as a touring artist and storyteller across four continents – including a remarkable 4,000-mile walk across Canada – Michael blends his experiences as a musician and community builder to forge meaningful bonds and foster environments where every voice is valued.
Onstage, Michael’s performance versatility ranges from southern lap steel slide blues, to intricate finger-style folk, to driving shanties about mismatched socks. He combines buttery guitar licks and philosophical wordplay into the perfect blend of playful and sensitive.
Peter Olsen is a Kamloops, BC, based professional Commercial Photographer, specializing in Business, Architectural, Lifestyle and Special Event photography.
His company, Olsen Imaging, has worked with clients throughout North America for over 20 years.
Questions? Contact us!
Attendees (166)
When
Location
- 3762 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC V1W 3L4, Canada
