Conference Day 1

Listening our way toward the future of engagement.

The day at a glance

Day 1 opened with a simple question: what does it mean to listen our way forward? From that moment the table was officially open, and the conversation moved through changing expectations in engagement, reconciliation, cultural safety and Indigenous collaborative practice. Different perspectives, one shared commitment.

Between sessions, delegates recharged in the Wellness Room, with reflexology machines, yoga mats, prayer mats, sleep masks, colouring sheets, play dough and spa water. Quiet, unplugged and disconnected, and well used. Over lunch, Judy Carlick Pearson introduced two IAP2 Canada learning opportunities: the Indigenous Certification Program and the Digital Accessibility Learning Program.

In the afternoon, three rooms explored municipal engagement, organizational culture, cross-generational co-design, language, AI and emerging technology, trust and lessons from major projects. In the foyer, Presenting Sponsor Open Point’s Social Point let delegates see engagement in action. Thank you to every speaker, partner, sponsor, volunteer and delegate who brought their voice to the table.