BEAP SYMPOSIUM 2026
Intersections: People, Place & Practice
BEAP Symposium 2026 - Intersections: People, Place & Practice is two days of interdisciplinary dialogue, dynamic panels, and a workshop.
The Symposium intends to bring together leaders and emerging practitioners across city-building professions to explore how equity, representation, and inclusive practices are shaping the future of our work—particularly within the Prairie context.
DATES
March 12 & 13
VENUE
Radisson Hotel Downtown Winnipeg
288 Portage Avenue
AGENDA
Thursday Evening: Keynote & Mixer
Friday: Full Day Content
Eligible for Continuing Education Credits
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Thursday’s 7:00pm KEYNOTE:
“Towards a Feminist City” with Leslie Kern
About the Keynote: Leslie Kern, PhD, is the author of three books about cities, including Gentrification Is Inevitable And Other Lies and Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made World. Her work provokes new ways of thinking about and creating cities that are more just, equitable, caring, and sustainable. Leslie was an associate professor of geography and environment and women’s and gender studies at Mount Allison University from 2009-2024. Today she is a public speaker, writer, and career coach for authors and academics.
Friday's Emcee:
Mimi Locher, University of Manitoba
Friday's 9:00am PANEL:
"Owning the Table: Shaping Leadership in City-Building Professions"
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The panel will explore representation, equity in leadership, personal perspectives that have shaped practice and work in the built city.
About the Panel: ​
Kate Sjoberg, RaY (Resource Assistance for Youth)
Mark Bauche, HTFC Planning & Design
LeeAnn Croft, 1080 Architecture Planning + Interiors
Faith Campos-Pelletier, Treaty One Nations
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Moderator:
Kerry Feeney, Number TEN Architectural Group
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Friday's 10:15am WORKSHOP:
"Designing Equitable Prairie Cities: A Collaborative Mapping Workshop"
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A hands‑on workshop where participants work in teams to map barriers and develop solutions for more equitable, accessible, and caring Prairie cities—through lenses of care, mobility, accessibility, Indigenous relations, anti‑displacement, and safety.
Co-Facilitators:
Leslie Kern
Candace Karhut, f-BLOK architecture
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Friday's 1:00pm SPEAKERS:
"Lessons from the Digital Media Sector: Inclusion, Innovation, and the Future of City-Building"
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Drawing on insights from New Media Manitoba and the broader tech sector, this session examines what city-building professions can learn from digital media. It highlights practical strategies for workforce development and organizational culture, with a focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The session will also explore how emerging tools such as LiDAR, immersive visualization, and VR are reshaping construction and city-building and how inclusive workplaces and new technologies can evolve together to support more resilient, future-ready professions.
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Speakers:
Teena Lee, New Media Manitoba
Jonathan Lê, New Media Manitoba
Friday's 2:15pm
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
5x10x10 PRESENTATIONS:
“Give to Gain” Women Leading Change in City-Building
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How giving time, expertise and opportunity amplifies women’s collective advancement in the city-building professions.
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Presenters:
Destiny Seymour, Indigo Arrows
Gail Little, pico Architecture
Marcia Friesen, University of Manitoba
Naomi Ratte, NVision Insight Group
Lisa Kehler, Interface​
Please send questions to beaprairies@gmail.com