Engaging Place, Shaping Futures

September 14 to 17 (In-person)

Join us in Cataracoui/Katarokwi/Kingston to commemorate Interpretation Canada’s 50th anniversary and investigate how spaces have been, and are, informed by interpretation. This year’s conference is taking full advantage of Kingston’s reputation as Canada’s museum capital. You will be invited to engage with some of the Kingston area’s many museums, historic sites, and natural parks. Gather with us at Fort Henry National Historic Site as we ask: what does it mean to engage with place, and how can it help us survive and thrive in an uncertain future?

Location

This year’s conference will take place at the Fort Henry National Historic Site, in Kingston, ON. Site visits will take place throughout the Kingston area. More information will be released as we develop the schedule, but you can learn more about the region by visiting the Visit Kingston website.

Image: St. Lawrence Parks Commission

Conference Theme

For fifty years, interpreters across Canada have helped people connect with places, stories, and each other. Over that time, interpretation has shifted—from instructive and expert-driven approaches toward more facilitative, dialogic, and community-centred practices—while remaining grounded in strong foundations of knowledge, place-based learning and visitor experience. These shifts have been influenced by growing recognition of multiple knowledge systems, including Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and relating to place.

Engaging Place, Shaping Futures invites interpreters to reflect on the ideas, values, and practices that have shaped the field, while critically exploring how interpretation must continue to evolve in response to changing social, cultural, and environmental contexts. Grounded in the Kingston region’s layered natural, Indigenous, military, and cultural histories, the conference will explore interpretation as both a continuity and a catalyst—linking past, present, and future in meaningful ways.

This includes a wide spectrum of approaches—from traditional media such as exhibits, panels, guided tours, and publications, to interactive, participatory, and co-created experiences.

This theme is intentionally broad, allowing space for diverse voices, sites, and approaches, while providing a coherent narrative arc for the conference: where we have been, where we are now, and how we move forward together.

To learn more about the subthemes and possible topics, visit our conference theme page. Our call for proposals is found below. 

Call for Proposals

We are currently inviting proposals for the conference. To learn more, visit our call for proposals page. Submissions will be open until May 31, 2026.  

Schedule

The conference format is as follows:

• Monday 14 – pre-conference workshops and evening welcome reception
• Tuesday 15 – concurrent sessions and study tours
• Wednesday 16 – concurrent sessions and study tours
• Thursday 17 – concurrent sessions and study tours, and evening wrap-up event

Our full schedule will be released in due course.

Registration and Costs

Join us in the Great Hall at the Fort Henry National Historic Site (photo below, courtesy of St. Lawrence Parks Commission). We offer several registration options for members and non-members. Your conference fees provide: 

• Access to a dynamic program of engaging, interactive sessions delivered by leading voices in interpretation from across Canada, designed to inspire, challenge, and energize your work.
• Participation in immersive place-based learning experiences that connect conference themes directly to real-world practice and showcase Kingston’s rich natural, Indigenous, military, and cultural heritage—including experiences at Fort Henry and surrounding sites.
• Meaningful in-person networking and ideas-exchange with peers, mentors, and sector leaders from across the country, not just at sessions but at social events, shared meals, and unique heritage settings.
• Exposure to innovative approaches, emerging trends, and practical tools shaping the future of interpretation. 
• Access to conference materials and resources to support ongoing learning beyond the event.
• Celebration of 50 years of interpretation in Canada, with space to reflect on the field’s evolution and future directions.
• Access to the conference platform (Pheedloop) for all communications and resource sharing.

Registration fees are per person and include study tours, the opening reception on Monday evening, lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, plus the wrap-up event on Thursday evening. They do not include the pre-conference workshops (Monday), or other additional 'add-ons'.

Registration is open until August 14.

Member Early Bird (until June 1)	$550.00 + GST
Member Regular (until June 1)	$600.00 + GST
Non-member Early Bird	$650.00 + GST
Non-member Regular	$675.00 + GST
One Day	$195.00 + GST
Pre-conference workshops or other activities	Will be posted later
Team rates	A main registrant can add 3-5 team members from their organization for the non-member early bird rate of $650. Only available from June 2–August 14. If the team are all IC members, register individually for a more cost-effective option.

Accommodation

We have secured great rates at three hotels: 

1.  Kingston Marriott for 239.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Book your group rate for the Kingston Marriott.

2.  Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Water's Edge for 234.00 CAD - 246.00 CAD per night - Last Day to Book : Friday, July 31, 2026 Book your group rate for the Residence Inn.

3.  Holiday Inn Kingston-Waterfront for $189.00 CAD per night (20 rooms available) - Last Day to Book: Aug 28, 2026; Book your group rate for the Holiday Inn.

Cancellation Policy

Notice of Cancellation must be received via email to info@interpretationcanada.ca. The timeline for refunds is as follows.

• Until August 31 – Receive a full refund, less a $50 administration fee per registrant. 
• Between September 1 to 9 –  50% refund, less a $50 administration fee per registrant.
• September 10 onwards – all fees are non-refundable.
• For pre-conference workshop, or other add-on events, full refunds are available until August 31, less a $50 administration fee per registrant. After this date, no refund will be given. 

Registrations may be transferred to another person until August 31, as long as membership status and fee matches. As our fees for venues, catering or other bookings are fixed, once a registration becomes non-refundable, there will be no refund given for any reason. In extenuating circumstances, IC may consider a credit to IC members for future IC events. Reach out to us should this situation arise.

Non-attendance at the conference or activity is also not eligible for a refund, partial refund or credit for future events.

Please allow 3 weeks for the processing of refunds. Note that refunds can only be provided by e-transfer.

Volunteer

Our workshop is mainly run by volunteers. If you would like to get involved with this workshop or future conferences, or assist Interpretation Canada in other ways, please contact us. 

Questions

If you have any questions about the upcoming conference, please email conference-program@interpretationcanada.ca for program or schedule related questions. For all other queries, please email info@interpretationcanada.ca.

Connect with us on Social Media

Please use #InterpCanConf in your conference-related social media posts.