UBCM 2024 - Riding The Wave Into The Future

The annual UBCM convention was held September 16-20, 2024 in Vancouver. I was one of four Princeton delegates in attendance. Before I get into the details of my time at this event, let me tell you a little about the UBCM. 

UBCM is the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. It represents local government officials of member communities throughout British Columbia.  The group was formed several decades ago to give local governments a common voice.

The annual convention provides local governments with workshops, study sessions, social interaction with peers, a huge trade show, voting sessions on various resolutions passed onto higher levels of government, and private meetings with several cabinet ministers. This year's event theme was, "Ride The Wave."

Here is a breakdown of my schedule:

Sunday, September 15
This was a travel day for me. I left Princeton around 10 AM and took my time heading to Vancouver with several stops along the way. I don't normally travel in this direction on Highway 3, so I like to soak up whatever I can when I'm on the road. That usually means stops in Manning Park, Hope, and elsewhere. I checked into my hotel in the afternoon. 

I still do some freelance writing "on the side" and took a few projects with me that were due during the week so after I settled into my room, I worked on and completed one 1,000-word project, stopped for a walk on the seawall in Coal Harbour, and had supper. In the evening, I wrote another 1,000-words in a second freelance project before calling it a night.

Monday, September 16
I got up early and registered for the UBCM Convention. This is when I received my delegate badge (worn around the neck) which gives me access to the events and activities I pre-registered for a couple of months ago. My first study session was at 9:30 AM. The 2-hour session was titled, "What's Next For Housing?" The message from that presentation was fairly straightforward...there will be a change, but not anytime soon.

I had time before my next session so I walked the two blocks back to my hotel and wrote another 1,000-words in a third freelance project. At 2 PM, I attended the "Changing Climate, Rising Costs" 2-hour session. The message there was that things would continue to get bad. I was hoping that future sessions I planned to attend were a little more positive, as today's were definitely on one end of the scale.

I finished the day with another walk on the seawall and attended the weekly Zoom meeting of the web development company I work for in Australia. The freelance work I do is mostly from this company. I write web content (blogs, articles) for about 20 different Australian businesses and services with most of them coming from this company so it was important to maintain contact while I was away as I had to take time off (unpaid) from my other job to attend UBCM.

Tuesday, September 17
This was a busy day for all delegates at the convention as the daily schedule of events filled up. I started the day off attending the Resource Breakfast hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. At 9 AM I went to the 3-hour "Small Talk Forum" which was followed by lunch. I took a short break after this session and met the rest of the Princeton delegation at the World Trade Centre for a 3 PM meeting with BC Premier Eby. 

Our second "Minister Meeting" was at 3:30 PM with Minister Fleming (Ministry of Transportation and Highways). The meetings run usually no more than 15-minutes each. Our concerns this year revolve around flooding risk, obstacles that may impact flooding (bridge approaches as an example), and other matters. In all of these meetings, we are seeking assistance or direction in our efforts on Town Council to improve our community.

After these meetings, I went for another walk on the seawall for my self-care and attended the evening UBCM Welcome Reception, but did not stay long. The receptions are usually great networking opportunities, so I will attend a few of them. I don't normally stay long at any of them.

Wednesday, September 18
I started today with attending the early delegates breakfast. As I had some time before my next session, I went back to my hotel and completed two more freelance projects. That freed up the rest of the convention for me as now all the work I took with me was finished. At 12 Noon, I went to the SILGA (Southern Interior Local Government Association) Lunch but had to leave early to meet the rest of the Princeton delegates at another Minister Meeting. This one was with MoTI Staff. 

With a Provincial Election coming up, I felt that meeting with Ministry staff was probably more productive than with the actual Ministers, so I was pleased that our Cabinet Minister meeting schedule was not just with Ministers. I visited the Trade Show, which featured hundreds of exhibitors. I normally just do a quick lap to see what's there. I followed that up with attendance at the Trade Show and BC Government receptions. I took a break after that fitting in another walk on the seawall. I finished the day at the CUPE reception. 

Thursday, September 19
I started my day at the Delegate's Breakfast then I sat in on the Resolution Session. I voted on several including one to change the name of the UBCM. I was against it. The resolution failed. A typical resolution session will see several hundred delegates in attendance. The final Minister meeting scheduled for us was at 9:40 AM with the Ministry of Tourism's Lana Popham. The topic was related to the trestle just past the Tunnel (under Highway 3) and the KVR past the Red Bluffs.

I went back to the Resolution Session and later discovered a small demonstration taking place outside the convention centre that was timed to take place during an address from BC Premier Eby. I sat in on that address and attended the Delegates Lunch. I had some time so I went for my last walk on the seawall and started packing for my return trip home. I find time to get away from the convention daily for self-care and for me, that's a walk on the seawall. It energizes me for the rest of the day. I finished the day at the UBCM Banquet but did not stay long.

Friday, September 20
I started the day with the Delegate's Breakfast. I stayed for the address from Jonathan Wilkinson (Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources). He was followed by John Rustad (BC Conservative Party Leader). I went back to the hotel, checked out, left Vancouver by 10 AM and pulled into my driveway in Princeton at 2:30 PM.

As I don't normally spend much time with my fellow Princeton delegates (except at Minister meetings), I take advantage of networking opportunities and meet as many people as I can. I was encouraged to do this at my first UBCM in 2019. I find that sometimes in conversation a delegate may have a solution to a problem or suggestion that may be worth exploring. I know I've given delegates ideas. I also like to reconnect with delegates I've met before at these events.

UBCM for me is a lot of work that I fit around work I've taken with me. It is not a holiday, or a party. It is a schedule of educational events that include learning and sharing opportunities. I look forward to it each year, but I also look forward to getting home once it is over.