All times appear in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | Toutes les heures sont indiquées en heure avancée de l'Est (HAE).

Day 1—Tuesday, September 23 | Jour 1 — Mardi 23 septembre

11:00–11:15 Welcome all—icebreaker and introductions | Bienvenue à tous — brise-glace et présentations

11:15–12:00  Session 1: Making Meaning of Meaning Making

A discussion on what meaning making is, why it is important, and what the downsides are.

12:00–12:15 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

Session 2: 

12:15–12:30 Session 2: Stop Spewing Facts! Thematic Interpretation can help you create more meaning |Tracey Gage, Interpretive Guides Association

Turn facts into meaningful, memorable experiences with Thematic Interpretation. Learn how Theme, Organization, Relevance, and Enjoyment (TORE) help visitors connect personally, care deeply, and remember your message. One strong theme can transform your program and inspire guests to find their own meaning.

12:30–1:00 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

1:00–1:15 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

1:15–1:30 Session 3: Inspire through PIE and TALK- Participatory and Dialogic Interpretation | Jacquie Gilson, InterpActive

Discover how Jacquie’s PIE (Participation, Information, Encouragement) and TALK models support meaning making through participatory and dialogic interpretive techniques. This short session introduces you to practical ways interpreters can move beyond delivering facts to create engaging, visitor-centered experiences that spark personal relevance, insight, and shared discovery for everyone involved.

1:30–2:00 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

2:00–2:15 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

2:15–2:30 Session 4: Words Matter—Making Meaning through Interpretive Signage | Diane Mitchell, Red Rock Creative and Lauryn Record, Ground Cubed

How can a visitor make meaning from a sign panel, with only 100-150 words and when the writer can’t tailor their writing for the reader? In this presentation, we’ll explore ways to help interpreters enable meaning-making and personal connections in interpretive writing through universal concepts, fictional scenarios and dialogic prompts.

2:30–3:00 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

3:00–4:00 Session 5: Reflections on Meaning Making

Discussion on making meaning making relevant to you.

4:00 Wrap up | Conclure 

Day 2—Wednesday, September 24 | Jour 2 — Mercredi 24 septembre

11:00–11:15  Introduction  |  Introduction

Session 6: How can we recognize and address cultural stigmas?   

11:15–11:50 Navigating Cultural Stigmas and Biases in the Interpretation Sector | Stephanie Chong, Education Manager 

In this discussion, presenters will reflect on their experiences in the interpretation, education, and museum industries as individuals from diaspora communities. They will consider the impact of their upbringing (e.g. cultural and geographic factors) and the paradox of their intersectional marginalized / settler identities while living on unceded territories. Hear about the challenges and opportunities that they continue to experience working in their respective sectors and how they incorporate their relationships to place, language, culture, and community into their practice. 

Then, workshop participants will consider real-world case studies including specific guided questions that address workplace safety, empowered leadership, and the importance of inclusive policy design.  

Panellists / Facilitators: 

• Madison Bridal (she/her), Curator & Project Manager 
  
• Stephanie Chong (she/her), Education & Volunteer Manager
  
• Golmehr Kazari (she/her), Educational Events & Project Manager, Vancouver Heritage Foundation
  
• Shelby McCannel (she/her), Collections Assistant, salishan Place by the River

Facilitators: 

• Raymond Belmonte (he/him), Environmental & Community Engagement Coordinator
  

11:50–12:20 Hosted networking rooms | Salles de réseautage hébergées

12:20–12:40 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

12:40–12:50 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

Session 7: How can we navigate exploring sensitive topics with children through thoughtful interpretation?

12:50–1:10 Navigating Sensitive Topics – Facilitated Conversations about Death with Children | Lorenda Calvert, BC Museums Association 

Death is an undeniable and unavoidable truth. It permeates all aspects of our lives, including the museum experience. Death in museums is visible not only within the biological artifacts but also in the subsequent discussions between visitors and educators. Museum staff can often feel uncomfortable and unprepared for conversations about death, specifically with child visitors. Join BCMA Program Manager Lorenda Calvert for this educational session on navigating sensitive topics with children. Learn about the five developmental stages and what they mean for understanding death while adding some tools in your toolbox on how best to facilitate conversations about sensitive topics.

1:10–1:25 Hosted networking rooms | Salles de réseautage hébergées

1:25–1:35 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

1:35–1:50 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

Session 8: How can non-personal interpretation help us navigate complex histories and diverse audiences to inspire meaningful engagement?

1:50–2:10 Going Outside the Lines: Difficult History Interpretation in Art Exhibitions | Jennifer Ford, Canadian Museum of History

Art is a powerful tool for exploring difficult history in exhibitions. For history museum visitors, the right interpretation can inspire deep meaning making in unexpected ways. This case study examines creative, non-personal interpretation in the exhibition "Outside the Lines" at the Canadian War Museum – from the sensorial to the interactive.    

2:10–2:25 Sharing the Music: Interpretive Challenges in a Popular Culture Exhibition | Led by Erin Poulton, Canadian Museum of History

In developing Retro, Erin faced challenges related to cultural representation, balancing audience needs, and navigating complex technology decisions. Many interpretive planners face similar questions, particularly about language balance, Indigenous content, and selecting technologies that support engagement goals. This presentation will provide an engaging overview of these challenges and chosen solutions.  

2:25–2:40 Hosted networking rooms | Salles de réseautage hébergées

2:40–2:50 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

2:50–3:50 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

Session 9: (Re)claiming heritage - advocacy and leading change in interpretation

3:00–3:20 Sharing Difficult Truths and Sharing Cultural Vibrancy | Heather George, Woodland Cultural Centre 

Ten years ago Woodland Cultural Centre made the choice to "Save the Evidence" by renovating the 1903 Residential School building building and share the stories of Survivors, this September the building will re-open to the public. This presentation will consider how to balance these truths and how to care for the public and staff.

3:20–3:35 Planting seeds of change through interpretation | Amber Berard-Althouse, The Land Heals

Amber's work is rooted in change, empowerment, uplifting and educating. We plant seeds of change through storytelling. We as Indigenous people have a natural ability to share stories; all she does is empower and help to create and structure your program to cause a ripple effect of change in people. 

3:35–3:50 Grassroots Organizing as Resistance: Museum Liberation Force in BC | Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra

In 2017, the Province of British Columbia began a process to work towards the building of a South Asian Canadian Museum. After much long delay, including three partner changes, the process continues, though many question the meaningful and critical intent in the work thus far. In 2023, an organization was created, the Museum Liberation Force, to hold these systems accountable to their promises amidst harms that had occurred in the process up to that point. The MLF has since hosted open dialogue events and fostered its own meaningful connection building as a demonstration of community building when it isn't done through the lens of colonial and white supremacist power structures. MLF is an example of community building that is multifaceted, inclusive, and intergenerational. This presentation will explore the inception of the MLF group as an example of how cultural can continue to be done in meaningful ways amidst a current climate where the arts are facing funding cuts, and a decline overall. 

3:50–4:05 Hosted networking rooms | Salles de réseautage hébergées

4:05–4:20 Discussion on presented topic | Discussion sur le sujet présenté

4:20–4:35 Wrap up | Conclure

Day 3—Thursday, September 25 | Jour 3 — Jeudi 25 septembre

11:00–11:15 Welcome back, details and the outline for Day 3

Session 10: A Celebration of Research

11:15–11:30 Is this place haunted? Educational perspectives on paranormal programming | Ohan Stamboulian, Town of Stouffville / University of British Columbia

Humans have been interested in the commercialization of ghosts and the supernatural for centuries, but what is it that drives this curiosity at museums and historic sites, and what is it adding to the visitor experience? Based on a recent graduate research study in partnership with The Haunted Walk and Toronto’s Village at Black Creek, this project unpacks some ways museums might strike the balance between education and entertainment value of ghost tours to support the museum's and the visitors’ expectations.

11:30–11:45 “I Heard You Have Dinosaurs”: Inviting Climate Reflection in Museums | Kirsten Hodge, Pacific Museum of Earth - University of British Columbia

How do visitors find meaning in a science museum exhibit about extinction and climate change? This presentation shares research from a university museum exhibit, Life at the Edge, exploring how spatial design and narrative strategies support visitor engagement—and how the museum’s liminal location enables both learning and reflection.

11:45–12:00 Stillness Speaks: How Quiet Spaces Shape Visitor Experience | Andrea Lucy, University of British Columbia

Delve into the overlooked role of quiet spaces in museums as vital sites for reflection, emotional processing, and inclusive engagement. Drawing on interviews with educators and visitors, this presentation highlights how quiet spaces support meaning-making, well-being, and visitor agency, reframing quiet spaces as essential components of interpretation and transformative museum experiences.

12:00–12:15 Discussion on presented research| Discussion sur le sujet présenté

12:15–12:30 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

Session 11: A Celebration of Research

12:30–12:45 Lighting the Spark, Fanning the Flames: Interpretation and Repeat Program Participants | Dominique Hache, University of British Columbia 

What happens when participants return to our programs again and again? This presentation shares insights from a pilot research study exploring how interpreters at Fundy National Park adjust their facilitation for repeat participants—and how those returning visitors can deepen learning, challenge practice, and enrich the interpretive experience.

12:45–1:00 Is personal interpretation effective? It depends on goals and techniques | Glen Hvenegaard, University of Alberta

Are your personal interpretation programs working? Based on a study in Alberta’s provincial parks, we summarize how well personal interpretation achieves target outcomes for visitors, and which characteristics of the programs and interpreters contribute to those outcomes.

1:00–1:15 Storytelling in Conservation: Orangutans, Turtles and YouTube | Jill Bueddefeld, Research Consultant / University of Manitoba

This presentation explores how dialogic narrative storytelling shapes conservation engagement. In partnership with the Toronto Zoo, researchers tested YouTube-style videos featuring orangutans and turtles to compare the impact of different message strategies. Findings reveal surprising insights about species charisma, digital versus in-person formats, and the power of story to inspire conservation.

1:15–1:30 Discussion on presented topic| Discussion sur le sujet présenté

1:30–1:45 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

1:45–2:45 Session 12: Celebrate excellence in Canadian interp with the IC Awards! Dialogue with award recipients.

2:45–3:00 Mini-Break | Mini-pause

3:00–3:50 Session 13: IC Future Focus

Join conversations on the future of interpretation in Canada, including discussions on the definition of interp, guiding principles, standards and best practices.

3:50–4:20 Session 14: Making Meaning, Making Change. Highlights from workshop, taking action, crafting a plan to apply these insights to your own work.

4:20 Wrap up (Upcoming AGM, Working Groups, and more) | Conclure 

Poster Presentations | présentations d'affiches

It’s About Connection! How can whale watching sustain pro-environmental behaviours? | Sarah Board, University of Victoria

The whale watching industry is growing worldwide, but can the educational impact outweigh the negative effects. It is unknown what part of these experiences can increase participants conservation behaviours long-term. Through observations, surveys and semi-structured interviews, it was found that the connection to individual whales is what influenced participants.

Cultivating Curiosity: Museums and Meaning for Children Under Five | Mojca D'Arcy Ann Bas, Early Childhood Educator

This presentation introduces a research-informed proposed outline for a toolkit designed to assist museum professionals and early childhood educators in developing inclusive, developmentally appropriate programs that acknowledge and respect young children’s diverse starting points. It emphasizes how interpretation can facilitate meaningful, culturally responsive learning experiences that inspire curiosity and foster lasting, real-world impact in the earliest years.

Active Voices, Meaningful Learning: Exploring Benefits of Collaborating with Seniors | Jennifer Pantel, Pantel Creative

Seniors have a strong interest in lifelong learning and cognitive health, but are least likely to visit museums than any other age group. A recent study by Jennifer Pantel explores how meaningful program co-creation with seniors has a range of benefits that can help museums better serve older adult learners.