Race Directors Conference 2026

***If you are a current Cycling BC-affiliated Event Organizer, please contact us directly at membership@cyclingbc.net for a special discount code for this event.***

DELIVERING 13 YEARS OF EVENT EXCELLENCE

The BC Race Directors Conference takes place in Richmond, BC, on November 21, 2026, and is an annual professional development and networking event for race directors, event organizers, sport organizations and industry partners involved in endurance sport across Western Canada.

Now entering its 13th year, the Conference is a collaborative initiative of Triathlon BC, BC Athletics and Cycling BC. Collectively, the organizations represent a broad range of running, cycling, triathlon and multisport events, from small community races to major provincial, national and international events. The Conference brings together organizers who collectively deliver hundreds of events and engage hundreds of thousands of participants each year.

The Conference was created to help professionalize event delivery, share practical knowledge and elevate the participant experience. It is deliberately designed to be highly interactive rather than a traditional conference of passive presentations. Sessions combine expert speakers, case studies, panel discussions, peer-to-peer problem-solving, and practical takeaways that race directors can apply to their own events.

Featured Keynote Speaker:

Svein Tuft
Former Professional Cyclist | Canadian Olympian | 8-Time Canadian Time Trial Champion

Hear from one of Canada’s most respected endurance athletes as he shares stories and lessons from a remarkable career at the highest levels of cycling.

2026 Focus

This year’s program is built around two broad themes:

Professionalizing Sport Delivery

• Event operations and management
• Risk, safety and crisis preparedness
• Legal considerations, waivers and indemnity
• Marketing, branding and storytelling
• Event growth and sustainability
• Working with partners, municipalities and sport organizations

Elevating the Athlete Experience

• Participant engagement and retention
• Accessibility and inclusion
• Building stronger event communities
• Creating memorable participant experiences
• Learning from real-world event successes and challenges

Who Attends?

The audience is primarily race directors and event organizers, but also includes representatives from provincial sport organizations, municipalities, destination/tourism organizations, sponsors, suppliers and other organizations involved in delivering endurance events.

The Conference is intentionally collaborative. Speakers are encouraged to engage with the audience, draw on their experiences and, where appropriate, incorporate questions, discussion or interactive elements.

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL (OPTIONAL)

Date: Friday, November 20
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Begins with an optional 5k fun run at 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Executive Inn Richmond – LOBBY
Get to know fellow race directors with a casual, guided fun run down the Greenway before ending up at the Free Bird Restaurant for appies and drinks.

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time:

Registration & coffee from 7:45 a.m.

Program begins at 8:30 a.m. (lunch provided)

Networking dinner: 5:00 p.m.

Conference Location & Host Hotel*: Executive Hotel – Vancouver Airport, 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A3
(Quote ‘BC Race Directors Conference” for special pricing.) FREE Shuttle Pickups from YVR & South Terminal. Book Now

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION
Tier I – Early Bird (September 20 – October 5): $40.00 – Priority for 2025 attendees (limited capacity)
Tier II – Regular (October 6 – November 11): $75.00
Tier III – Final Week (November 12 – November 19): $99.00

NOTE: Registration closes at midnight, November 19. Seats are limited to keep networking meaningful — register early. Register Now

For more information, visit the conference website at https://bcrdc.ca/