BEST 2023

Bettering Environmental Stewardship & Technology
May 10 - 12, Fairmont Chateau Whistler 

Join us for the 10th annual Bettering Environmental Stewardship & Technology (BEST) Conference!

The British Columbia Environment Industry Association’s BEST Conference attracts environmental professionals every May for two and a half days of technical sessions, networking opportunities, and a sponsor exhibition.

Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss out on the “BEST” opportunity to network and learn about the current environment industry in BC.

Program Confirmed!

Check out the full program below or click on the program tab at the top of the page.

Register Now!

Click on the Registration tab above for details and to register for BEST 2023.

For information about BEST 2023, email: [email protected]

Whistler, BC

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4

BEST 2023 is once again taking place at the stunning Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Reservations are now being accepted for BEST 2023.

Rates start at $248/night (plus taxes & resort fee). Reservations must be made by April 10, 2023. After that date, the Conference rate is not guaranteed.

You can book your accommodation through the link below or you can call the Global Reservations Centre at 1-800-441-1414 to book your room. Please identify yourself as being part of the Best Conference 2023, or group code 0523BEST_001 in order to receive the group rates.

You will be able to make reservations three days prior and three days after the group dates at the Conference rates.

 

Fairmont Whistler
Reserve Here
Map & Directions
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2023 Conference Program

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Registration/Information Desk Open
Macdonald Ballroom Foyer

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Pre- Conference Workshop
Indigenous Awareness & Inclusion
Brad Spence & Lois Miller, Trace
(Space is Limited – Advance Registration Required)
Sponsored by: Keystone Environmental

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

BCEIA Annual General Meeting

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Opening Reception
Sponsored by: McCue Engineering Contractors
Merlin’s Bar & Grill, Upper Village

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration/Information Desk Open
Macdonald Ballroom Foyer

7:45 am - 8:45 am

Opening Breakfast (Macdonald Ballroom)
Sponsored by: Available

8:45 am - 9:15 am

Welcome Remarks (Macdonald Ballroom)
President, BCEIA

Greetings
Environment & Climate Change Strategy

9:15 am - 9:45 am

Networking/Refreshment Break
Exhibit Area

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Digital Solutions

Federal

Case Studies

9:45 am - 10:15 am

Digital Tools and Solutions to Save Time and Money on Environmental Programs

Joshua Dias, Bureau Veritas

Federal Regulatory/Policy

Raman Birk, PSPC

xʷəyeyət/Iona Island Foreshore Ecological Restoration Projects Preliminary Design Evaluation Process

Margaret Scott, Advisian

10:20 am - 10:50 am

A Case of Digital Transformation for Oilfield Operations Management

Vincent Lam, Matidor

Comprehensive Environmental Management at a Former Military Site: A Review of the Mary Hill Property

Mandy McDougall & Bim Dissanayake, Dillon Consulting

Watson Island Redevelopment – Proponent Driven Process with an Approval in Principle (Part 1)

Richard Pucci and Paul Vendittelli, City of Prince Rupert; Alan McCammon, BC Environment

10:55 am - 11:25 am

Addressing the Need for Data Governance using Data Management Software as a Valuable Tool in Site Remediation

Bryan Shaw, CARO Analytical Services & Nick Tumney, EScIS

Market Survey and Business Case Evaluation of Waste Management Options – A Federal Perspective

Scott Irwin, Defense Construction Canada & James Mair, Stantec

Watson Island Redevelopment – Proponent Driven Process with an Approval in Principle (Part 2)

Richard Pucci and Paul Vendittelli, City of Prince Rupert; Alan McCammon, BC Environment

11:25 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch with Keynote Speaker (Macdonald Ballroom)
Sponsored by: The Environmental Services Association of Alberta
The Normalization of Deviance
Colonel Mike Mullane, Former NASA Astronaut

BCEIA Scholarship Awards
Sponsored by: Core6 Environmental

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Networking/Refreshment Break
Exhibit Area

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Legal

First Nations/Sustainability

Waste Management

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Environmental Case Law: A Year in Review

Luke Dineley & Rick Williams, Borden Ladner Gervais

Sustainable Construction Practices – Navigating the Envision Framework Construction Credits

Quin MacKenzie & Jill Roth, luuceo consulting inc.

Port Hope Long Term Waste Management Storage Facility Construction for Radioactive Waste

Stephen Pinto, Environmental Chemical Corporation & Ajit Ghuman, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

2:05 pm - 2:35 pm

Environmental Laws and the Constitution Explained

Michael Manhas & Emma Russell, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

Applying ESG Practices to Procurement Strategies & Project Approaches

David Meikle & Gavin Domitter, Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc.

Wastewater Sludge Management: Biodegradable Geobag R&D, Implementation & Patent

Jill Lam, Keystone Environmental & Seble Afework, Canadian National Railway

2:40 pm - 3:10 pm

Environmental Compliance Audits: A Technical and Legal Exercise

Mark Youden & Quinn Rochon, Gowling WLG

Building Relationships: Collaborating and Building Trust with Indigenous Communities in Central British Columbia

Marion Houlbrook & Aaron Yaremchuk, Associated Environmental Consultants

Innovative, Low-Energy Solutions to Remove Environmental Contaminants from Mine Process Wastewater and ML/ARD

Kevin Bossey, Bishop Water Technologies

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm

The Legal Perspective on B.C.’s Site Identification System

Adam Way & Nicola Virk, Harper Grey LLP

Advancing First Nations’ Initiatives in Community Waste Management Services: A Case Study of the Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility

Robert Maciak, Grassland Organics

Novel Laboratory Approaches and the Best Data from Biosolids

Kristopher Beaudet, Bureau Veritas

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

Cocktails & Light Snacks in the Exhibit Area

4:45 pm - 7:00 pm

Networking Reception
Sponsored by AGAT Laboratories

Whistler Brew House, Lower Village

7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Registration/Information Desk Open
Macdonald Ballroom Foyer

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Networking Breakfast
(Macdonald Ballroom)
Sponsored by Ernco Environmental

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Bioremediation

BC Regulations

9:00 am - 9:30 am

The Evolution of Bioremediation with Fungi

Venessa Kumpula, Clean Harbors Canada & Dennis Owens, SWT Consulting Inc.

Stage 14 Amendments/P19:
What We’ve Heard

Kerri Skelly, MOE

9:35 am - 10:05 am

Optimizing Ex Situ Bioremediation of Recalcitrant Compounds in Canada’s Cold Climate

Jean Paré, Chemco

CSR Stage 14 Amendments – Here and Now: Measuring the Actual Impacts to Consultants and Industry in BC

Steve Boyce, Active Earth Engineering Ltd.

10:05 am - 10:35 am

Networking/Refreshment Break
Exhibit Area

-

Investigation/Remediation

Risk Assessment

10:35 am - 11:05 am

Using Multiple Geophysical Methods for Environmental Site Characterization: Principles and Case Studies

Brian Whiting, GeoScan Subsurface Surveys Inc.

Development of Preliminary Conceptual Site Models for Contamination Related to the 2021 Atmospheric River Event

Patricia Carmichael, SNC-Lavalin

11:10 am - 11:40 am

How To Resolve Risk of Cross Contamination to ASTM Standards Using PFAS and 1,4 Dioxane Free Products

Bud Ivey, Ivey International Inc.

Sumas Prairie Preliminary Regional Risk Assessment for Contamination Related to the 2021 Atmospheric River Event

Tara Kennedy, SNC-Lavalin

11:45 am - 12:15 pm

The In Situ Treatment of PFAS at the Air-Water Interface Using Colloidal Activated Carbon

Ben Galbraith, InSitu Remediation Services Ltd.

In-Vitro Bioaccessibility of Arsenic: A Case Study and Lessons Learned from Multiple Bulk Fuel Facilities Impacted by Sandblasting Grit

Ryan Black, Ausenco Sustainability Inc.

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Closing Lunch with Keynote Speaker (Macdonald Ballroom)

Carin Bondar, Biologist

Sponsored by Bureau Veritas

Conference Registration

BEST 2023

Conference registration includes: Pre Conference Workshop, Wednesday Welcome Reception, Technical Sessions, Thursday Networking Reception, Breakfast, Lunch and Coffee Breaks on Thursday and Friday

• 

BCEIA Member Rate

$750

Non-Member Rate

$900

Government Rate*

$750

Student Rate**

$150

Register Here

*The government rate is open to employees of a national/federal, state, provincial, or local government entity, including public higher education institutions. Attendees registering under the government rate may be required to provide proof of government employee status in order to receive the discounted rate.

**Student must be 19 years of age or older, and currently enrolled in, and taking classes at, a post secondary institution.

All registration rates are exclusive of GST.

BEST 2023 Sponsors

A few sponsorships are still available (see below).
Email [email protected]

Gold Level Sponsors

Wednesday Opening Reception

Thursday Reception

Silver Level Sponsors

Bronze Level Sponsors

Silver Sponsorship Available (includes exhibit booth)

Bronze Sponsorship Available (includes exhibit booth)

Indigenous Awareness & Inclusion Workshop

Thursday Keynote Luncheon

Friday Keynote Luncheon

Lanyards

Drink Tickets - Wednesday

Drink Tickets - Thursday

Post Secondary Scholarship Recipient Support

Breakfast - Friday

Conference App

Concurrent Session Room Sponsor

Opening Breakfast - Available (Exclusive)

BEST 2023 Exhibitors (as of February 3)

  AGAT Laboratories
  Bureau Veritas
  CARO Analytical Services
  Chemco
  Clean Harbors
  Drillwell Enterprises
  Earth Drilling
  ECO Canada
  Element
  Envirogreen Technologies Ltd.
  ERIS - Environmental Risk Information Services
  GeoScan Subsurface Surveys
  Geotech Drilling
  Iron Creek Group Inc.
  McCue Engineering Contractors
  Omega Environmental Drilling
  Rice Earth Sciences
  Secure Energy
  Summit Earthworks Inc.
  Trace Associates Inc.
  TRIUM Environmental Inc.

2023 BEST Activities

Golf at Nicklaus North!

 

 

SECURE is coordinating a non-tournament style golfing event for conference delegates at the beautiful Nicklaus North Golf Course.

Date: Friday, May 12

Time: Tee off times start at 2:30 PM (following the closing keynote luncheon)

Rate: BEST Conference delegate rate is $99/per player

Note: Only one foursome per company is permitted. If you would like to sign up additional players, email [email protected] and you will be added to a wait list.

Thank you to SECURE for covering the cost of electric carts for all players.

Space is limited for these rates!

Register at: https://BEST Golf Sign Up Nicklaus North

Logistical details will be provided upon registration.

If you have any questions about the tournament, contact: Eric Distefano ([email protected]).

 

Mountain Bike Ride

 

 

 

Core6 Environmental would like to invite BEST 2023 participants to join us for a mountain bike ride on Whistler’s fabulous trails.

We’ll ride at noon on Wednesday, May 10th.  

The ride will begin promptly at 12:00 pm, and the group will meet in front of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel and ride from there to the trail head.  You should be comfortable riding for 2 to 3 hours on technical single-track trails and have at least an intermediate level of fitness and bike handling skills. The ride will be on Intermediate (blue square) rated trails, where you can expect to encounter trail obstacles such as roots, rocks, and ladder bridges, and a dual suspension mountain bike is recommended. Post ride rehydration and refueling will be in the Mallard lounge! Please use common sense and caution when riding, and ride within your ability level. The organizer bears no responsibility for the condition of trails, or for potential injury or damage to equipment. All participants ride at their own risk. By participating in this activity, riders agree to this disclaimer. 

For more information, or to sign up, contact Tom Hudson at Core6 at [email protected].

 

 

BEST 2019

Memories from our 2019 Conference

2018 BEST Conference

Memories from our 2018 Conference

2017 BEST Conference

Memories from our 2017 conference

2016 BEST Conference

Memories from our 2016 conference.

2015 BEST Conference

Memories from our 2015 conference.

2014 BEST Conference

Memories from our 2014 conference.