Pre-Conference Workshop

June 9, 2026, SnPink’tn (Penticton)


Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

273 Power Street


in conjunction with the 2026 LGMA Annual Conference

We gratefully acknowledge that we will be gathering on the

ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan People.


Do you want to deepen your learning and get a head start on peer connections just before the Annual Conference? Join us in Penticton for one of several pre-conference offerings on June 9!

In addition to the full-day Communication & Engagement Professionals Forum, you can sign up for a timely workshop on responsible conduct. Find out more below.


Registration fees:

Early Bird registration until April 30, 2026: $302.50 + GST

Regular registration from May 1 - May 26, 2026: $357.50 + GST

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations are accepted without penalty before 4:30 pm on May 26, 2026. No refunds provided after this date.

For information on hotel accommodations, visit the main LGMA Annual Conference page. Please note: You don’t have to attend the full annual conference to register for these engaging pre-conference offerings.

June 9 - Pre-Conference Workshop

  • 1-4:30pm - Beyond the Code - Operationalizing Responsible Conduct in Local Government

    Facilitated by Christina Benty, Strategic Leadership Solutions and Reece Harding, Young Anderson


    Local governments are moving from anticipation to action to adapt to the province’s legislation and proposed amendments relating to responsible conduct for local governments. With a provincewide code of conduct, a formal complaint and investigation process, and new transparency requirements on the horizon, local government staff are being asked to help their organizations adapt in real time. 


    This 3.5 hour workshop is designed to help local government professionals respond to this moment with clarity, confidence, and practical tools. This session is about what staff can do now to support healthier governance, reduce organizational stress, and prepare their councils and boards for the changes ahead. 


    Participants will leave better equipped to: 

    • identify immediate organizational implications for orientation, policy review, complaint pathways, and governance culture; 
    • strengthen the conditions for respectful, accountable conduct and reduce the likelihood of issues escalating; 
    • equip staff with practical tools and shared language to navigate challenging situations with greater confidence and consistency.

    Through practical tools, guided dialogue, and real-world application, the workshop is grounded in three principles local governments can start building on immediately:

    • Humanize: strengthen relational currency by helping staff and elected officials see the person behind the role and the complexity behind the work; 
    • Normalize: treat tension and conflict as predictable features of governance and build the skills to navigate them without freezing, escalating, or avoiding; 
    • Un-sanitize: loosen the grip of overly stiff, performative processes by using practical thinking tools that help elected officials stay relevant and staff stay confident. 

    At a time when many local government professionals are feeling both the urgency and workload implications of this change, Beyond the Code offers an immediate win: practical preparation, shared language, and tangible tools to support implementation while strengthening governance relationships and organizational resilience.


    Registration fee includes lunch (noon - 1pm) and an afternoon coffee break.


Please refer to the main conference agenda page for additional activities on this day.