Register for the 2026 Public Education Conference
The CUPE K-12 Presidents Council and CUPE BC are excited to be partnering with the BC Teachers Federation on their 2026 Public Education Conference. We're excited that your local is sending you to join in. Below is some crucial information for you about the conference.
What is the Public Education Conference?
The Public Education Conference is an annual training conference that the BC Teachers Federation has held to support their membership. This year they have invited CUPE members to participate in the conference. The theme is Advocacy Works: Organizing to Win School Board Elections. Together, BCTF and CUPE members, along with parent advocates, will strategize and collaborate to prepare for upcoming municipal elections.
The program includes presentations from Annie Kidder, parent activist and founder of People for Public Education; Shannon Moore, podcast host and member of the Centre for Free Expression Working Group on Schools and Intellectual Freedom; elected school trustees from around the province; and campaign training from BCTF and CUPE staff.
What can I expect?
Participants will arrive on Thursday May 7, and depart on Saturday May 9, or if necessary due to travel, on Sunday May 10.
| May 7, 2026 | An evening welcoming social at the hotel restaurant. Costs to be covered by individual participants. |
| May 8, 2026 | A day relationship building between CUPE and Teacher locals, including guest speakers and an extensive learning session on how to read school district budgets for impacts on your members. An evening reception with parents, CUPE members, and Teacher Federation members. Breakfast provided. |
| May 9, 2026 | Joint workshops and presentations, with CUPE, BCTF, and parents working together to draft action plans for the upcoming local government elections. Breakfast and lunch provided. |
How do I get there? And where will I be staying?
Participants are welcome to use taxi, transit, or their own vehicles to attend the conference. If they need to fly to the Lower Mainland region, please book your travel through W.E. Travel. W.E. Travel can be contacted at 1-800-663-4703 or 604-969-5585.
Participants will be staying at the Surrey Guildford Hotel, where the conference is taking place. CUPE will register you into our hotel block.
Will my expenses be covered?
Hotel rooms are covered when you register. You will be asked for a personal credit card when checking in to cover any incidentals. Please speak with your local about reimbursement for travel expenses and per diems, and arranging book off. Lunch will be provided on Saturday May 9. All other meals are to be covered through your per diems.
I’ve got questions. Who should I connect with?
If you have any questions about the conference, please connect with your local president.
