Conference Home Base – Eldorado/Manteo

Rooms Essentially Sold Out!
 

At five-and-a-half weeks before Conference Opening, we hit over 20% more conference hotel room nights than the last year's final numbers! Our thanks to the Eldorado/Manteo for going above and beyond, squeezing out 35+ room nights over and above our room block at the discounted rate.

You can try to call hotel reservations directly to ask if any cancellations and get on the waiting list; however, we strongly recommend checking the Alternate Hotels tab for options NOW!
 

We're pleased to announce that the Historic Eldorado and Manteo Lakefront Properties, 4.5km south of Kelowna's downtown, is our official conference headquarters. The Eldorado and Manteo are amazing, seamlessly-joined properties.

Please Note Check-in for both properties is at the Manteo at Eldorado Resort, 3762 Lakeside Drive, Kelowna, BC

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Memorial Cup will be taking place May 21-31st in Kelowna at the same time as our conference so hotel rooms will become very difficult – and expensive – to secure in the weeks leading up to the conference. BOOK NOW
 

Essential Details

• Conference attendees receive a discounted group rate on rooms, (subject to availability): $278 single, $528 two-bedroom villas.
• Our group attendee code is 2605BCAVIA

• Rooms are getting tight for May 27th. Best to call the hotel reservation line and say "Kandra (group booking manager) said can still get us in". Apparently these are powerful magic words.

• The villas are two bedroom and an extremely nice option if you know someone you want to share with. 

• To book online, try either of the two conference hotel links below.
  Please Note: the hotel's online reservation system is currently being updated. If you experience issues, including "sold out" or higher room prices than noted above, please call the hotel directly at 250-860-1031 and the reservation desk staff will be pleased to assist you. Don't forget to identify yourself as a BCAC 26 Conference attendee!

 

• Historic Eldorado
  https://reservations.travelclick.com/109843?groupID=4643493

  Manteo Resort (next door)
  https://reservations.travelclick.com/12771?groupID=4474837

 

• The parking fee has been waived for conference attendees.
• The resort fee has been reduced from $30 to $15/night.

Please Note: when you reserve your room, your statement may include the full $30 resort fee. However, hotel management has assured us that BCAC Conference attendees will be charged the reduced $15 resort fee on their final invoice.

Questions? Contact us!

Alternate Hotels

PLEASE NOTE: The CHL Memorial Cup will be taking place in Kelowna, BC, the same week as our conference so hotel rooms will become very scarce and expensive shortly. Reserve your room ASAP.

Coast Capri Hotel Kelowna
1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6E8
(250) 860-6060   https://www.coasthotels.com/coast-capri-hotel

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

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

Group Discount Code: BCAC
 

The Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna has graciously provided a group discount to our conference attendees. Use the Group 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 attending the BCAC Spring Conference. Please be advised that you may need to present your BCAC Supporter card when checking in – log into the BCAC website and visit your Supporter profile to download a copy of your card.

Room Rates Per Night Booking Direct with Group Discount Rate (not including taxes or fees)
Coast Queen $240; Coast Two Doubles $284; Coast Queen with Sofabed $250; Coast King $257; Coast Premium King with Sofabed $323; Coast Accessible Two Queens $316; Coast Suite King with Sofabed $368; Coast Suite Two Queens with Sofabed $368 (As of 04-16-26.)

Bring your swimsuit!

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

(No group discount code.)

Clean, bright motel-style accommodations just a four-minute drive/Uber 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.

Room Rates Per Night Booking Direct (not including taxes or fees)
Queen Room with two queen beds $199/night; Deluxe Queen Bed Suite with Sofabed $259/night; Deluxe Suite with Two Queen Beds $259/night; Premium Two Queen Bed Suite $279/night; Premium Two Bedroom Suite $309/night (as of 04-16-26)

Questions? Contact us!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Download the PDF version of this document.

Questions? Contact us!

Featured 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.

Questions? Contact us!

Working Draft coming

Volunteer Appreciation Reception

We're so grateful to our Volunteers – they are an amazing group of people! Please join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Reception:

When: Monday, May 25th, from 4:45PM - 6:00PM

Where: The Eldorado Hotel's rooftop patio, "The ELevated Club"

There will be live entertainment, tasty appetizers, wine tasting, a no-host bar and a spectacular view of the Okanagan Lake – our way of showing our appreciation for all the Volunteer's hard work!

Questions? Contact us!

Welcoming Reception

This year's Welcoming Reception will take place at our conference base hotel, the historic lakeside Hotel Eldorado's rooftop patio, immediately following the Volunteer Appreciation Reception.

When: Monday, May 25th, starting at 6:00PM

Where: The Eldorado Hotel's rooftop patio, "The ELevated Club"

There will be live entertainment, tasty appetizers, wine tasting, a no-host bar and spectacular views over Okanagan Lake.

Sponsored by:

Questions? Contact us!

Signature Dinner

Where: KF Centre for Excellence, 5800 Lapointe Drive, Kelowna Airport

When: Tuesday, May 26th, 5:30-9:15PM (buses to the venue will begin departing from the Manteo Hotel lobby at 5:00PM)

Details: Bufferdinner, no-host bar. Transportation provided.

Keynote Speaker
Barry Lapointe, Founder and Chair, KF Aerospace.

Sponsored by:

Questions? Contact us!

Air Operator Consultative Meeting (AOCM) Thursday May 28, 2026

Available week before conference.

TBA

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.

Park'N Fly Rate Card

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.

Budget Car Rental Rate Card

Questions? Contact us!

Private Aircraft Parking (TBA)

Conference Room Floor Plans

TBA
   

Innovation Centre

At this year's conference, the following companies will be featured in our Innovation Centre:

• Strix
• Polar Aircraft Deicer
• Wavionix (Mach)
• Code Project Enterprise
• The Synergy Academy
• Rupert Robin
• Progressive Air Services