August 29, 2023

Hello NCRA/ANREC Members

We are very excited to be able to release details of our 2024 in-person and hybrid learning opportunities. (Yes, both NCRC and SMS will provide hybrid opportunities for those who cannot travel to participate in some discussions.)

Station Manager Summit (Sidney, BC – January 23+24th 10 am-4 pm Pacific)

This is an executive retreat for Station Managers, Operations Directors, Executive Directors or Board Members at smaller stations without staff. Sidney is an 8-minute drive from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and an 11-minute drive from the BC Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay, where the ferries from Vancouver arrive.

The theme for this year is Artificial Intelligence! But we will have plenty of opportunities to discuss all sorts of governance, operational, financial and technical issues.  The full agenda will be released before the Holiday Break in December.

You can register for the SMS here (early bird open)

Feel free to book travel arrangements, We will have a social meeting on Monday, January 22nd, in Sidney, BC. We encourage you to arrive by 10 a.m. at the meeting location on the 23rd and book travel plans after 4 p.m. on the 24th (however, there will be social events on the 24th).  

The Summit will occur at: The Mary Winspear Centre, the local performance center and community meeting venue in Sidney. There are numerous hotels from which to choose. Here is a list of some of the recommended hotels in the area, including: 

Preferred partner with booking under NCRA/ANREC

Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (9805 Seaport Place)

Offering 15% off for group booking at $186/per room/night

Front Desk for reservations: 1-866-659-9445  (Ask for the NCRA/ANREC Booking)

Deadline to book with Discounted Rate: January 8th, 2024.
*Free cancellation 48 hours in advance.

Alternative Options: 

Days Inn – Victoria Airport

– 20 rooms with two beds available for January 22 and 23

– 10 rooms available for January 24

– $169 + tax per room/night (based on double occupancy, each additional adult is $20)

– Rate includes daily continental breakfast, a 20% discount on lunch and dinner at our pub (Dickens Public House), free wi-fi, a business centre, courtesy bicycles, and a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport and ferries

Best Western PLUS Emerald Isle

– 20 rooms available for those dates, classic rooms with 2 queen-size beds each

– Discounted rate of $179 per night, plus applicable taxes, for single/double occupancy

– Cut off is 30 days before arrival, free cancellation 48h before arrival.

– Rate includes the parking and continental breakfast

Sidney Waterfront Inn & Suites

– 10 rooms available January 23-24 and 10 rooms on January 24th  as the rates and room types as follows

– 4 ocean view rooms 1 queen bed at the rate of $171.00 plus taxes per night

– 2 street view rooms 2 queen beds at the rate of $161.00 plus taxes per night

– 3 ocean view rooms 2 queen beds at the rate of $189.00 plus taxes per night

– 1 street view room 1 queen bed and kitchenette at the rate of $161.00 plus taxes per night

NCRC42 (Sydney, Nova Scotia – June 11-14th)

Dates for the NCRC2024 have been set. A travel day is set for June 11th (Tuesday), including local tours [NEW], with conference sessions running on the 12th, 13th and morning of the 14th – followed by the CRABO’s Gala on the evening of the 14th. (CRABO submissions will open on December 1st; more information to come).

Super Early Bird registration for $250 is available by emailing barry@ncra.ca requesting an invoice (for those with a budget to use before the end of August).  Much more information will be released before the end of 2023, including hotels, locations, standard registration and more.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Barry Rooke
NCRA/ANREC Executive Director