Conference Highlights

Pre-Conference Session:

ED CEO Orientation

Meeting Room 17 - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
12p.m. to 5p.m.

Leading a Habitat affiliate is a complex job. Our Affiliate Success team has designed another educational and interactive afternoon for our newest affiliate ED/CEO colleagues – including an opportunity to reconnect over lunch - with the goal of helping you navigate your role both locally and nationally.

This workshop will focus on the fundamentals – i.e., homeowners, compliance, mortgages - and provide an opportunity for participants to learn from each other and members of our Affiliate Success Team.

Please note: If you started in your role in or after January 2020 you are considered part of this cohort and encouraged to attend this session.

Registration Fee: $100 per person

Forum Dinners and Networking

Lobby – Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg
6p.m.

Kick off conference with additional time with your forum group. This is an opportunity to meet new people in similar roles, see old acquaintances and discuss issues you can relate to. Dinner locations will be communicated prior to the conference start date.

Please remember to register for the forum dinner of your choice.

Please note: Tuesday Forum Dinners are pay on your own, they are not included in any of the registration packages.

Habitat Store

Meeting Room 6 - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

Put the Habitat Store on your list of things to do at conference. Take some branded apparel and goodies home for your staff, volunteers, and yourself.
T-shirts, jackets, polo shirts, notepads, mints, and hammer pins will be available for purchase.

Made Here Pop-Up Shop

South East Concourse - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

Credit Debit and Cash Accepted

Make sure to stop by the Made Here Pop-Up Shop on Wednesday and Thursday and take a little piece of Winnipeg home with you!

Made Here is the place to find premier handmade products and designs from a selection of Manitoba makers and artisans. The best part: a portion of all proceeds support Manitoba children’s charities.

Instagram: @madeheremb

Made Here: We're 100% local heart.

ReCharge Lounge

VIP Salon - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7a.m. to 5p.m.

Back by popular demand. Need some time away from the hustle and bustle of conference? Not a problem! The ReCharge Lounge is your number one spot to take some quiet time to recharge and catch your breath.

Morning Health and Wellness Session

Morning Mindfulness – Setting our Intentions for the Day
Millennium Suite RBC Convention Center
7:30a.m. to 7:50a.m.

Join certified Peer Support Provider, Janelle Cancade-White, as she takes you through a beautiful morning practice that awakens the mind, body, and soul, getting you ready for the day ahead. This session will begin with a mindful moment of meditation, easing into gentle body stretches, finishing with setting your intentions for the day. This will help you bring additional meaning to your tasks ahead while feeling a sense of calm and readiness for the exciting day that awaits you.

Please note: Feel free to come dressed for the conference as there will not be floor work involved. Registration is required to attend.


Wake Up Music with Marco Castillo
South East Concourse - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7:30a.m. to 8:30a.m.

Opening Ceremonies – Singing of O’Canada | Rosemarie Todaschuk
Ballroom (Meeting Rooms 1-3/9-13) - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
9a.m.

Habitat Manitoba Welcome Tour and Dinner

The opening evening of the 2023 National Conference will be one to remember with two tours to choose from followed by dinner in the world-renowned Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Tours (choose one of the following):

1. A tour of major Habitat Manitoba build sites in Winnipeg including the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project site, which is now home to 16 families; the Templeton site, home to 20 families; the Sir Sam Steele site where 50 families reside and the Pandora site, which will be home to 55 families when it is completed in 2025. Bus departs RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg at 2:45 p.m. and arrives at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) at 5:00 p.m.

2. Go directly from the hotel to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights where you can spend two hours exploring the only National Museum not located in the Ottawa area. The structure features iconic architecture outside and inside with world-class exhibits depicting the continuing struggle to achieve human rights for all.

Dinner: Cocktails and dinner will be served in the Bonnie and John Buhler Hall at CMHR. This room was used for the Closing Ceremonies for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in 2017. A cash bar will be available.

Dress Code: Business casual  

Registration is required to attend. Guest Tickets are available through registration for $100 PP.

ReCharge Lounge

VIP Salon - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7a.m. to 5p.m.

Back by popular demand. Need some time away from the hustle and bustle of conference? Not a problem! The ReCharge Lounge is your number one spot to take some quiet time to recharge and catch your breath.

Morning Health and Wellness Session

Tai Chi – A Mind-Body Practice
Millennium Suite RBC Convention Center
7:00a.m. to 7:30a.m.

Join Rick Phillips, as he takes you through the beautiful and gentle movements of Tai Chi. This meditation in motion helps maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. Whether you are an experienced practitioner of Tai Chi, or have never participated in the practice before, this session is for you. Give this low-impact, slow-motion exercise a try to help you get ready for the day that awaits you. Registration is required to attend.

Wake Up Music with Tom McDermott
South East Concourse - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7:30a.m. to 8:30a.m.

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program – On-Site Visit

South East Concourse - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
10:30a.m. to 11a.m. and 12:30p.m to 1:30p.m.

St John Ambulance onboards Therapy Dog Teams (handler and dog) so they can visit staff and clients in the community.

Through petting, affection, and visitation, many people benefit both mentally and physically from the unconditional love of a therapy dog.

Meaning of Home Winner Presentation and Book Signing

South East Concourse - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
12:30p.m.

Make sure to put this on your conference “to do” list! We will be announcing this year’s winners at the conference, followed by a book signing with the illustrated book for the new winning entry.

Awards Celebration Gala and Dinner: Midsummer Night’s Dream
RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
Reception - South East Concourse - 6p.m.
Dinner and Awards - Ballroom (Meeting Rooms 1-3/9-13) – 6:45p.m.

Welcome to the National Awards Celebration Gala and Dinner! Be whisked away to a magical forest as we bring to life a Midsummer Night’s Dream. Celebrate another outstanding year surrounded by dazzling twinkle lights, while we recognize the incredible achievements of our affiliates with dinner, awards, and live entertainment throughout the evening.

The Tuxedos - This well-dressed duo look forward to performing classical music during the dinner portion of the Awards Gala. Strolling from table to table you will be swept away into the mystic world of the fairies.

Experience Winnipeg’s own Big City All Star Band who will perform an array of music that will have you up and moving!

Following the award presentation, stay for the always anticipated announcement of the 2024 National Conference & AGM location and Host affiliate.

The Awards Celebration Gala and Dinner is your chance to dress up. You will see suits, sports coats, and dresses. Feel free to get into the spirit of the theme!

*Cash bars will open at 6 p.m. in the South East Concourse with doors opening to the Ballroom at 6:45 p.m.

ReCharge Lounge

VIP Salon - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
7a.m. to 5p.m.

Back by popular demand. Need some time away from the hustle and bustle of conference? Not a problem! The ReCharge Lounge is your number one spot to take some quiet time to recharge and catch your breath.

Annual General Meeting
Ballroom (Meeting Rooms 1-3/9-13) - RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
1p.m. to 4:30p.m.

Gather from 1p.m. to 4:30p.m. on Friday, May 12 to vote on important items of business and elect the next National Board of Directors. Official documents will be sent in advance.
Please note: AGM registration will open at the registration desk starting at 12p.m.

An Afternoon at The Forks
Lobby – Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg
1p.m.

Not attending the AGM, but looking for something to do on Friday afternoon? Join us at The Forks! Come experience an exceptional array of dining options, fantastic local makers and retailers, a constantly changing slate of entertainment and events, and many unique attractions that encompass the site’s natural, historic and built features.
We will meet in the Delta foyer and walk over together. Please remember to register so we don’t leave anyone behind.