Further Together

The Summit for BC Co-ops  

🎯 Why Attend

The co-operative sector has always believed in the power of working together — but turning that belief into practice takes intention, skill, and the right conversations. This two-day gathering brings co-op leaders, board members, funders, and allies to Abbotsford to explore how we resource the sector collectively and lead in ways that make genuine collaboration possible.

You'll leave with deeper insight into collaborative governance and leadership, stronger connections across the sector, and practical tools to help you lead with greater confidence, strengthen your organization, and build the resilience our movement needs.

Whether you're interested in, new to, or already working in BC's co-op sector — this conference is for you.

⭐ Featured Speakers

Esteban Kelly

Executive Director, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

Esteban Kelly is the Executive Director for the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, a founder of the freelancer co-op Guilded, and for 15 years, was a co-founding worker-owner with AORTA, a worker co-op that has built capacity for hundreds of economic justice projects through organizational development, training, and consulting.

Esteban's work expands economic democracy through forms of collective ownership and multi-racial solidarity. He foregrounds political education, systemic thinking, and abolitionist principles into visionary leadership to build the foundations for a better world.

Esteban helped get half a dozen pieces of employee ownership legislation passed by Congress and has been recognized for his Public Policy leadership in the state of California and in Philadelphia where he served as a mayoral appointee and co-chair of the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council. He is a board member and former Chair of the National Cooperative Business Association, a board advisor to the Climate + Community Institute, a Ford Global Fellow and a Fellow with the Institute for the Future.

Sandra McDowell

Founder, CEO & Lead Faculty, eLeadership Academy

With more than 20 years of cooperative leadership experience, Sandra McDowell brings a practical, people-centred approach to developing leaders and strengthening organizations. Her executive career within the credit union system shaped her deep understanding of leadership anchored in purpose, community, and cooperative values.

Sandra is a Certified Executive Coach with a Master's in Leadership, an ICF PCC designation, CPHR and CLPD credentials, and a Certificate in NeuroLeadership. As Founder and CEO of eLeadership Academy, she leads the development of practical learning experiences that build leaders people love to follow.

A sought-after speaker, Sandra has delivered keynotes and workshops across North America, Europe, and Brazil, including a mainstage address to more than 3,500 attendees at Toastmasters International. Earlier in her career, she received both national and international Young Leader awards. She is also the author of Your Mother Was Right: 15 Unexpected Lessons About Leadership and the Brain.

Tom Webb

Founder, Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (MMCCU), International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary's University

Tom Webb's career has spanned industries and sectors in Canada and the United States of America ranging from grocery to IT, multistakeholder cooperatives to credit unions, and beyond. As the Founder of the MMCCU Program at Saint Mary's University, his most impactful contributions are to co-op education.

More speakers to be announced.

📋 Conference Details

Join us in Abbotsford, BC at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre.

• September 17 & 18, 2026
• Day 1: September 17, 8:00am — 5:30pm (coffee, tea, light breakfast, lunch & reception snacks included) 
• Day 2: September 18, 8:00am — 3:00pm (coffee, tea, light breakfast & lunch included) 
• Optional: Co-ops 101 bonus session on September 16, 7:00pm — 8:00pm hosted by Co-operatives First 
• If purchasing a ticket is a financial barrier, please reach out — we have a limited number of bursaries available courtesy of our Solidarity Partner, Coast Capital Savings. Email us at connect@bcca.coop to find out more.

🤝 Thank you to our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors, we couldn't do this without you! 

🏆 Presenting: Coast Capital Savings
🏅 Catalyst: Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL)
🏅 Leadership: eLeadership Academy 
🏅 Community: Modo
🏅 Community: Nelson & District Credit Union

Looking to get involved? Partnering with Further Together positions your organization at the heart of BC's co-operative movement, connecting you with leaders who share your values. Download our sponsorship package

🛏️ Where to Stay

The Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre is offering discounted rates for event guests. 

🏷️ Hotel discount available for attendees until August 16th or until quantities last.  

📌 Conference Overview

Day 1: Accessing Capital — What becomes possible when we resource the sector together?

Key outcomes:

• Strengthen your understanding of financing and capital pathways available to co-ops
• Develop a deeper understanding of the strengths, gaps and opportunities within BC’s co-op ecosystem through the findings of the Ecosystem Mapping Project
• Contribute ideas, perspectives and potential solutions that can help strengthen BC’s co-operative economy
• Build new relationships and connections across the sector; including with co-operatives, credit unions, funders, ecosystem organizations and emerging leaders

Day 2: Governance and Leadership — Building on Day 1, sessions will focus on the leadership and governance needed to make collaboration work.

Key outcomes:

• Deepen your understanding of collaborative leadership, governance, and relationship-building practices within co-operative organizations and ecosystems.
• Gain practical ideas, tools, and perspectives to support leadership development and organizational resilience.
• Identify opportunities for future collaboration, shared infrastructure, and collective action within BC’s co-operative movement.

🚌 Getting Here

The conference will take place at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre, conveniently located just off Highway 1 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The venue is easily accessible whether you are travelling from Metro Vancouver or flying into the Fraser Valley. Refer to map at bottom of this page. 

From Vancouver
Abbotsford is approximately 1–1.5 hours east of Vancouver by car, depending on traffic. Take Highway 1 East and use Exit 92 toward Whatcom Road / North Parallel Road. Free parking is available on site.

From Abbotsford International Airport (YXX)
The venue is approximately 15–20 minutes by car or taxi from Abbotsford International Airport. Ride-share services and taxis are available at the airport.

📅 Key Dates

• June 10: Early bird tickets launched, discounted accommodations available (subject to availability) 
• August 16: Final day early bird tickets, final day for discounted accommodations (subject to availability)
• September 16: Ticket sales end 

Refund Policy

• Ticket Purchases are Final: All ticket sales for Further Together 2026 are final. We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges for attendees who are unable to attend.
• Ticket Transfers: If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to transfer your registration to a colleague or another individual at no cost. To transfer your ticket, please contact us at connect@bcca.coop no later than September 16, 2026 at 12pm with the name and email of the new attendee.
• Event Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the conference is cancelled or significantly altered by the organizers, registered attendees will be notified promptly and a full refund will be issued. 

If you have any questions about your registration, please contact us at connect@bcca.coop