Please note that the program is subject to change.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
12:45 PM - 1:00 PMDoors Open and Check-in 
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMWelcome and Plenary Session - Global Talent Pathways: Aligning Student Aspirations, Employer Needs, and Canada’s Future Workforce (CPD Approved)Larissa Bezo - Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
Ajay Patel - Vancouver Community College
Joy Johnson - Simon Fraser University
Jacquie Griffiths - Invest Vancouver
2:30 PM - 2:45 PMHealth Break 
2:45 PM - 4:00 PMPlenary Session - Informing Policy and Practice: What CBIE’s International Student and Alumni Surveys Reveal About Experience, Outcomes, and Opportunity (CPD Approved) 
4:00 PM - 5:00 PMSocial Networking Hour 
Thursday, February 19, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:00 AMDoors Open and Check-in  
9:00 AM - 9:05 AMWelcome Remarks 
9:05 AM - 10:30 AMPlenary Session - Reframing Leadership and Staff Wellbeing Through Times of Change Karin Kosarzova - University of British Columbia
Dr. Stephen Smith - Simon Fraser University
Christine de Rocquigny - GuardMe
Jesse Poulin - GuardMe
10:30 AM - 11:00 AMHealth Break 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRoundtable Discussion - Immigration Advising and Support 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRoundtable Discussion - Learn Canadian Campaign Progress 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRoundtable Discussion - Pre-Arrival to First Weeks 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRoundtable Discussion - Student Engagement and Community Connection 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMGrab-and-Go Lunch 
1:00 PM - 2:00 PMArrival to Belonging: The VCC Onboarding StoryCamile Ogliari - Vancouver Community College
Emily Chen - Vancouver Community College
1:00 PM - 2:00 PMBeyond Benefits to Belonging: Building Wellness Ecosystems for International StudentsChristine de Rocquigny - GuardMe
Jesse Poulin - GuardMe
Dawn Schell - University of Victoria
1:00 PM - 2:00 PMDeveloping an Effective Web-Based Immigration Advising Tool for International StudentsKevin Li - Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Jurise Oliveros - Kwantlen Polytechnic University
2:00 PM - 2:15 PMHealth Break 
2:15 PM - 3:15 PMSupercharging International Student Engagement with the Goin’ App: A Student-Led Approach to Conversion, Transition, and SettlementYuri Aikawa - UFV
Misha Dilshad - UFV
Todd Odgers - UFV
Lindsay Alsop - UFV
2:15 PM - 3:15 PMSupporting International Students on the IRCC Rollercoaster: A Service to Help Ready Graduating Students for the New Post-Graduation Work Permit Language Test RequirementsMegan Domenichelli - Royal Roads University
Paul Turner - Royal Roads University
Wendy Wang - Royal Roads University
2:15 PM - 3:15 PMTurning Student Support into a Recruitment Advantage: A Framework for Enrollment Conversion and RetentionSharla Reid - Navitas / Fraser International College
Ramneet Brar - Wayble