Upcoming BC Construction Health and Safety Conference Set for October 2026

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The 2026 BC Construction Health and Safety Conference will feature key speakers focusing on leadership and safety challenges in the construction industry.

The 2026 BC Construction Health and Safety Conference is scheduled for October 29 and 30 at the Executive Plaza Hotel located in Coquitlam. This event caters to a wide audience within the construction sector, including safety professionals, corporate safety managers, project owners, regulators, and on-site workers. According to Ammar Kavazovic, the director of programs and initiatives at the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), the conference aims to enhance participants' knowledge regarding emerging safety challenges and innovations in the industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn eight continuous professional development (CPD) points accredited by BC Housing.
In response to feedback from previous conferences, the BCCSA is introducing more technical topics and hands-on tools that attendees can apply in their work. Kavazovic emphasized that these additions aim to provide practical skills that will benefit participants directly.
Among the speakers scheduled for this year’s conference are notable figures such as David Dunham, Dr. Paul Farnan, Trenton Grover, Vynny Hick, Urs Koenig, Sylvia Marusyk, Simon Miles, Jen Mutas, Angelique Prince, Tanya Steele, who will serve as the emcee, and Jody Urquhart. Urquhart will present a session titled "CrazyBusy: Relief to Find Immediate Balance in a Fast-Paced World," in which she discusses the unconscious habits that can lead to distraction and overwhelm, particularly in the construction field where such distractions can pose significant dangers.
Urquhart, a leadership keynote speaker and author, draws parallels between comedy and leadership, stating that both require an acute awareness of one’s audience. She suggests that effective leaders must listen to their teams to build trust and improve communication. She warns that stress habits can hinder leadership effectiveness, stating, "A rushed leader creates a rushed team," and emphasizes the importance of breaking these detrimental habits without compromising performance.
Another key speaker, Urs Koenig, will present a session titled "Tough on Results, Tender on People/How to Create Psychological Safety in Your Team for Performance and Growth." Koenig, founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute, argues against the prevalent strong-man leadership style, advocating instead for a model of leadership rooted in radical humility. His approach emphasizes greater self-awareness, collaborative relationships, and a growth mindset, which he believes are essential for fostering an environment where team members feel safe to express their ideas and concerns.
Koenig’s presentation will cover three main principles: how to learn from failures, how to lead with vulnerability to build trust, and how to ensure every team member has a voice. He insists that these practices are not merely about kindness but are essential for achieving results in a competitive environment.
The 2026 conference marks a significant milestone, being the 20th anniversary of this vital event for the construction industry. Initially hosted by WorkSafeBC as the Bridging the Gap Conference, the BCCSA assumed leadership of the event in 2016 and rebranded it in 2019. The registration cost for this year’s conference is set at $399 plus GST.

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