Interpretation Canada’s (IC) Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, and we’d love for you to join us. This is a great chance to hear updates, connect with colleagues, and be part of shaping the future of our organization.
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Check your registration confirmation email for the meeting link.
Meeting Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern
Here’s the breakdown across Canada:
- 12:00 PM Pacific
- 1:00 PM Mountain/Central
- 2:00 PM Eastern
- 3:00 PM Atlantic
- 3:30 PM Newfoundland
Stick around after the AGM! From 3:15 – 4:15 pm Eastern for a PD session. If you register for the AGM, you don't need to register separately for the PD.
Hiding Broccoli in the Birthday Cake; or, Marrying Facts with Fun
Presented by Laurie Schwartz
How do we attract and keep audiences who are spoiled for entertainment choices? Novelty, emotion, connection. That might seem out of reach when we are asked to take a set of bland facts and try to make people care about them. That’s where the art of interpretation is essential. Managers want to fulfil a mandate. Your visitors want fun, engaging, and memorable programs.
Learn from Laurie’s 30+ years of trial and error in tour guiding, interpretive theatre, and program development. She will show examples from her career in Banff National Park, and demonstrate concrete techniques that you can apply to your practice to make programs that nourish like broccoli but surprise and delight like birthday cake.
Laurie Schwartz is a founding member of Parks Canada's Mountain WIT, delighting audiences in & around Banff since 2003. She specializes in interpretive theatre, puppetry, coaching, and creative ways to engage audiences. She is a Master Interpreter with the Interpretive Guides Association, and guides tours with the Fairmont Banff Springs.
