• Image field 16

  • Banff Forum XXV - NEW Banffer Application Form

  • Applications for the Banff Forum XXV will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

    This form is for NEW participants only. (If you have attended the Banff Forum in the past, please email contact@banffforum.ca to access the returning delegate form.)

     

    Cliquez ici pour remplir ce formulaire en français.

  • Thank you for your interest in joining the Banff Forum community. The Banff Forum is one of Canada’s preeminent public policy forums, bringing together a diverse group of young and established Canadian leaders to enhance their leadership skills and debate key issues to build a stronger and better Canada. By attending, you will become part of a thriving community of accomplished individuals actively engaged in their communities through a variety of corporate, political, non-profit, entrepreneurial, governmental, and artistic endeavours.

    Banff Forum participants are selected through a rigorous application process. We regret that due to capacity constraints, we will not be able to accept all those who apply.

     

    The 25th anniversary edition of the Banff Forum (Banff Forum XXV) will take place from November 5 to 7, 2026, in Banff, Alberta.

    The Banff Forum's leadership team is in the process of developing a robust and thought-provoking program that will explore Canada’s evolving cultural and political identity at a pivotal moment for the country. With Canadians facing pressing public policy questions—from energy transition, climate adaptation, immigration, and affordability, to technological change, reconciliation, and shifting federal–provincial-and global dynamics—we will create space for meaningful dialogue across regions, including important perspectives from Alberta as it charts its path on resource development and provincial autonomy.

    Discussions will examine Canada’s relationship with the United States, its role on the global stage, and the domestic forces shaping national unity. Together, experts and thought leaders will reflect on how Canada’s distinct blend of identities and policy choices has shaped the country over the past 25 years—and what it will mean for the decades ahead.

     

    Land Acknowledgement

    In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we honour and acknowledge that Banff Forum XXV will take place in the town of Banff, located on traditional Treaty 7 territory. These sacred lands are a gathering place for the Niitsitapi of the Blackfoot Confederacy — including the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani First Nations — as well as the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney; the Tsuut’ina First Nation; and the Métis Nation of Alberta, among many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to enrich this region.

    The Bow Valley has also long been important to the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc Nations, who traditionally occupied lands and used the watersheds of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers and the eastern slopes of the Rockies. The area was also used by the Mountain Cree clan of Chief Peechee, and by the Dene of the far north and far south.

    The Banff Forum is committed to continually learning about the rich and complex histories of Indigenous peoples in this region and to refining how our organization and community better understand and acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have contributed — and continue to contribute — to the places where we live, work, and gather. We recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to the First Nations and Métis who have lived on and cared for these lands for generations.

    • 2026 Selection Criteria 

    • The following criteria will be used to select 2026 participants:

      LEADERSHIP: The Banff Forum seeks established and emerging leaders from a variety of sectors who can demonstrate success in their field.

      IMPACT: The Banff Forum seeks candidates who are actively involved in improving the lives of Canadians and can demonstrate how their work and / or volunteerism is contributing to building a better Canada. Candidates should be keen to share their ideas and opinions in an open forum.

      DIVERSITY: The Banff Forum strives to ensure that its membership reflects the diversity of our country by balancing participants’ geographic, political, demographic, and sectoral representation. We encourage applications from young leaders who identify as Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQI+, differently abled, or any other group often underrepresented in mainstream discourse or leadership positions. We also aim for sectoral diversity and encourage applications from those working in the arts and culture, scientific, entrepreneurial, and technology sectors.

      LANGUAGE: The Banff Forum recognizes that English, French, and Indigenous languages are powerful symbols of our country's diverse and inclusive society. Language will be a key consideration in the admissions process, with a particular emphasis on ensuring strong Francophone representation.

    • Rules of Engagement 

    • BANFF FORUM PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT

      The Banff Forum is committed to delivering an exceptional gathering for all our participants. Our aim is to provide you with a unique opportunity to learn about topics of national importance and engage with thought leaders from around the world. In return, we ask that our participants commit to attending the entire Forum—from the evening of November 5 until the end of the conference in the afternoon of November 7—in respect for our speakers, all of whom have agreed to take part in our event without receiving a speaking fee.

      If you are unable to participate fully in the Banff Forum, from start to finish, we ask that you leave your space for another participant who can.

       

      BANFF FORUM CODE OF CONDUCT

      The Banff Forum is dedicated to fostering safe and inclusive spaces for everyone. We recognize and encourage the expression of a diversity of views and opinions but expect them to be shared respectfully. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, positive, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs or lack thereof. We invite all those who participate in the Banff Forum—community members, conference and event attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, guests, and staff—to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone. CLICK HERE to read our full Code of Conduct.

       

      CHATHAM HOUSE RULE

      All Banff Forum sessions and regional year-round events are held under the Chatham House Rule, which allows the Forum to be an informal, non-advocacy, non-partisan, and non-ideological space that respects individual speakers and participants.

      "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed." — Chatham House Rule

       

      SPOUSES / PARTNERS

      We welcome the participation of spouses and partners at the Banff Forum. Due to limited event capacity, partners who wish to attend all Forum events must apply to register as full delegates through the standard admissions process. If you and your partner are both invited to register to participate in the Forum, each of you will be able to register at the discounted spouse / partner registration rate.

      A partner who registers for the entire Forum is considered a full participant and may therefore take part in all sessions and meals. A partner who has not been invited to take part in the full Forum is welcome to purchase tickets to join us for the evening social events, including the Thursday Opening Reception, the Friday Dinner & Talk show, and the Saturday Dinner & Closing Reception.

       

      CHILDREN AND CHILDCARE

      Children are welcome to accompany their parents to the Welcome Reception Thursday evening and to breakfast on Friday and Saturday morning. However, children are not permitted to attend Forum sessions, lunches, or dinners. Babies in arms are welcome, though we ask that you notify us in advance if you will be traveling with an infant.

      The Banff Forum does not provide childcare, but we can connect you with local providers and help connect Banffers who wish to pool resources for shared care during the event.

    • Registration Rates, Terms & Conditions 

    • 2026 REGISTRATION RATES 

       

      Standard Registration....................................................

       

      		 $1,650

      Standard U40 Registration.............................................

      (subsidized registration for participants who are under 40 years of age)

       

      		 $1,150

      Nonprofit Registration...................................................

      (subsidized registration for participants who work for a Registered Charity or NGO)

       

      		 $1,150

      Nonprofit U40 Registration............................................

      (subsidized registration for participants who are under 40 years of age and who work for a Registered Charity or NGO)

       

      		 $850

      Spouse / Partner Registration.......................................

      (discounted registration for households who have two registered delegates participating in the current Forum)

      		 $1,150

       

      REGISTRATION TERMS & CONDITIONS

      • Participation in the Banff Forum is by invitation only.
      • Invitations to the Banff Forum are personal and non-transferable.
      • Registration for the Banff Forum is not considered complete until payment of all applicable registration fees has been received. A space will not be saved until the applicable fees have been received in full and hotel reservations have been made under the Banff Forum’s official room block.
      • It is not possible to carry forward registration fees to a future Banff Forum, nor is it possible to redirect a registration fee to another Banff Forum participant.
      • These policies apply to all registrations, including sponsor delegates and  spouse / partner delegates.

       

      REGISTRATION INCLUDES

      • Participation in all sessions of the official Banff Forum program, from Thursday evening to Saturday afternoon.
      • Transportation between official venues during scheduled programming, if applicable.
      • Three group dinners (Thursday, Friday and Saturday*).
      • Two group breakfasts (Friday and Saturday).
      • Two group lunches (Friday and Saturday).

       *If you need to depart for any reason after the formal programming has concluded at 4:30PM on Saturday, November 7, you may request a refund for the value of the Saturday Dinner & Closing Party ($150). The refund value is subject to the terms that are outlined in the "Cancellation and Refunds Schedule" below. 

       

      REGISTRATION DOES NOT INCLUDE

      • Travel to / from Banff, Alberta.
      • Hotel accommodations, which must be booked with the Fairmont Banff Springs using the booking instructions provided in the official registration invitation email.
      • Meals, travel, activities, or other expenses for spouses / partners and children.
      • Childcare services, meals, travel, activities, or other expenses for children.
      • Additional occupant surcharges, charged by your hotel for three or more people per room.
      • Any hotel incidentals or personal or business expenses (e.g., enhanced Wi-Fi, room service, laundry service, in-room entertainment).
      • Parking, transportation, or activities around Banff that are not part of the official program schedule.
      • Participation in the Pre-Conference experience. (NB: This is an optional ADD-ON activity and Pre-Con registration must be purchased separately, subject to availability on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

       

      OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

      The following optional add-ons can also be purchased to enhance your experience, if desired. 

       

      Pre-Conference

      Wednesday, November 4 - Thursday, November 5

      (Purchase a ticket to join us for the optional pre-con experience. Pre-Con participation is reserved exclusively for registered participants, and tickets will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

       

      		 Full details and pricing coming soon.

      Thursday Opening Reception Spouse / Partner Ticket

      (Purchase a ticket for a spouse / partner who is NOT a registered participant but wishes to join you for the Thursday evening event.)

       

      		 $150

      Friday Dinner & Talk Show Spouse / Partner Ticket

      (Purchase a ticket for a spouse / partner who is NOT a registered participant but wishes to join you for the Friday evening event.)

       

      		 $150

      Saturday Dinner & Closing Party Spouse / Partner Ticket

      (Purchase a ticket for a spouse / partner who is NOT a registered participant but wishes to join you for the Saturday evening event.)

       

      		 $150

      Guided Hike in Banff National Park

      (A 1.5-2 hours round-trip walk with a knowledgeable guide who will share fascinating facts about Banff National Park. The walk is approximately 1.5 KM long, with negligible elevation gain - an easy, well-established trail. Price is inclusive of tax and gratuity.)

       

      		 $75

      Silver Banffers Reunion Sessions

      (This optional add-on is by-invitation only for Banffers who have been part of the community since the founding years of the annual Forum. Purchase a ticket to join fellow "Silver Banffers" for a full day of conversations and connections on Thursday, November 5, before the main Forum programming begins. Price is inclusive of coffee, lunch, and programming.)

      		 $100

       

      Please Note: All optional add-on prices are subject to change as the program is being finalized. More details about the pre-con and social events will be made available at the time of registration. 

       

      CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS 

      Prior to September 1, 2026

      Refund provided with a 20% administration fee deducted 

      September 1-30, 2026 

      		 50% refund provided

      After September 30, 2026 

      		 No refunds provided

       

      • Registration cannot be applied to a future Banff Forum or to another Banff Forum participant.
      • These policies apply to all registrations and optional add-on purchases.

       

    • 2026 Schedule Overview 

    • SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS
      (subject to change) 

       

      Wednesday, November 4, 2026

      9:00 am - 11:59 pm Pre-Conference (optional ADD-ON)

       

      Thursday, November 5, 2026

      12:00 am - 4:00 pm Pre-Conference, continued
      10:00 am - 4:00 pm Silver Banffers Reunion Sessions (optional ADD-ON, by invitation)
      12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Registration and Check-In
      1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Guided Hike in Banff National Park (optional ADD-ON)
      5:00 pm - 6:00 pm New Banffers Welcome Reception
      6:00 pm - 9:30 pm Opening Reception
      9:30 pm onwards Optional Social Time (not facilitated)

       

      Friday, November 6, 2026

      6:30 am - 7:30 am Optional Wellness Activities
      7:30 am - 8:30 am Breakfast
      8:30 am - 12:00 pm Day Two AM Program
      12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch
      1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Day Two PM Program
      4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Free Time
      6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Dinner and Talk Show
      8:00 pm - 9:30 pm Fireside Chats
      9:30 pm onwards Optional Social Time (not facilitated)

       

      Saturday, November 7, 2026

      6:30 am - 7:30 am Optional Wellness Activities
      7:30 am - 8:30 am Breakfast
      8:30 am - 12:00 pm Day Three AM Program
      12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch
      1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Day Three PM Program
      4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Free Time
      6:00 pm - 9:30 pm Dinner and Closing Party
      9:30 pm onwards Optional Social Time (not facilitated)

  • CONTACT INFO

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Is your primary job function Government Relations and / or Public Affairs?*
  • What is the approximate size of your organization?*
  • Were you referred to apply by any current Banffers (someone who has attended the Banff Forum previously)?*
  • Are you applying with your spouse / partner? (If so, please include your spouse / partner's name and email address, below).*
    • Spouse / Partner Details 

    • Please note: Spouses / partners wishing to attend Banff Forum sessions must ALSO submit an application of their own. If your spouse / partner will travel with you but not attend daytime sessions they do not need to submit an application. You can purchase tickets for them to attend evening social events if you are accepted as a delegate, when you pay your registration fee.

  • DEMOGRAPHICS

    The Banff Forum strives to represent Canada’s diversity in each delegation. The information provided here will be used to help us achieve this goal.

  • The information in this form will NOT be used for any other purposes or shared outside of the Banff Forum Board of Directors / Administration.

    • Accessibility Needs 
    • Accessibility (please select all that apply).

    • If you would like to have a conversation about your accessibility needs, please feel free to contact us directly at contact@banffforum.ca or (613) 366-8247.

  • APPLICATION QUESTIONS

    Information provided in this section may be used to help the Banff Forum Program Committee identify potential speakers/contributors for the Banff Forum XXV Programming.

  • How to Approach These Questions:

    The Banff Forum receives hundreds of applications and the Admissions Committee is only able to spend a few minutes reviewing and evaluating each submission. Brevity and clarity are essential.

    Overusing generative AI tools to develop your answers may risk your application sounding generic. Use concrete examples, awards, recognitions, etc. wherever possible, instead of broad value statements.

  • 0/250
  • 0/250
  • 0/250
  • 0/250
  • 0/250

  • SCHOLARSHIP REQUEST (OPTIONAL)

    The Banff Forum provides a limited number of scholarships to individuals who have a financial need.

  • DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SECTION UNLESS YOU ARE SEEKING SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT.

    • Scholarship Request 
    • What type of support are you requesting? (please select all that apply)
    • 0/250

  • ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  • Should you experience any difficulties with the form, please email contact@banffforum.ca.

  • Should be Empty: