Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I’d like to formally re-invite you to the Canadian Council of Advancement in Education (CCAE) National Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, my hometown.

Originally, we were to gather here in the spring of 2021. While the delay was not ideal given the circumstance, it has allowed us the gift of time and we have used it well! We have been thinking, planning and we are READY for 2024!

As I sit to write this letter, I cannot help but reflect on how incredibly lucky we are as Canadian advancement professionals. The gift of peer-based learning allows us to operate in a profession where secrets don’t exist, and success is shared and celebrated.

Advancement is the business of outreach, developing relationships, creating engagement, rallying a community and seeking support. As a profession, our path is brighter, easier and supported because we learn from each other. Using the knowledge of those around us we are able to choose the best path forward, to solve our challenges, and to learn from diverse experience and thinking. Together we can achieve excellence. 

In May of 2024, we look forward to creating an environment where we can learn, share, grow and, most importantly, inspire each other.

Informally, I invite you to have a riot while learning! For context, a riot in NL means a whole lot of fun – and we believe CCAE 2024 will be the best learning mixed with a ton of fun! 

In 2021 the conference was shagged up (messed up) by the pandemic. We were gutted (disappointed) that you had to stay where you were at while we came where you were to (translation: you stayed home, and we came to you digitally). This year, we’re thrilled you can come where we’re to (come to where we are). 

This time, we get to spin yarns (tell stories and tales) in-person. And who doesn’t like to hear a yarn or two with a gaggle of buddies (lots of friends and support)?

You’ll be havin’ a time (you will have a ton of fun) and shouldn’t be crooked as sin (grumpy, cranky, acting contrary). After all, this province is known for having the deadliest (best) people on earth. Be prepared though – they’ll wanna know where y’longs to (where are you from?). 

Rest assured, the 2024 CCAE National Conference in St. John’s will be right (very much) worth while! Come, hove off (relax) and twack around (travel around). It’ll be be grand (fantastic) in every which way!

So book your flights and hotel rooms, nudge your colleagues… and maybe even tag on a few days to experience our whales, icebergs, food, pubs, hikes and stunning coastal views, our culture, our humour, our creativity and more. 

Let’s get it on the go (get on with it)!

Lynn Squires
Associate Director, Alumni Engagement
Memorial University

Greetings CCAE Members,

On behalf of the 2024 CCAE National Conference Program Committee, we are thrilled to announce that the program for this year’s national conference in St. John’s is almost complete.

The committee focused on creating an accessible and inclusive program that will present attendees with opportunities to network and engage in dynamic content that has been selected to highlight the best-in-class in Advancement across Canada, inspire important conversations and bring our community together for an exceptional professional development experience.

In addition to a stellar line up of Canadian Advancement professionals we are pleased to announce that our keynote speakers are Tareq Hadhad, CEO of Peace by Chocolate and Alan Doyle, Canadian musician, actor and storyteller. Alan will be sharing his stories (and maybe even a song or two) rooted in our host province of Newfoundland.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with your Advancement colleagues, experience the incredible culture in St. John’s and learn from the exceptional group of speakers, panelists and professionals that are part of the 2024 CCAE National Conference program!

We hope to see you in St. John’s May 22-24, 2024!

All the best,

Colleen Bangs (she/her)
Senior Director, Alumni Engagement, University of Calgary & Program Co-Chair, 2024 CCAE National Conference

Jon Bruhm (he/him)
Donor Relations Manager, Dalhousie University & Program Co-Chair, 2024 CCAE National Conference

On behalf of the CCAE 2024 National Conference Special Event Committee, we are thrilled to showcase a series of spectacular social events that will undoubtedly elevate your experience on the “ROCK.” Our Social Committee has curated three exceptional occasions to showcase the unique culture and warmth of  t. John’s, as the island welcomes you as a “Come From Away” while you reconnect with fellow advancement professionals and make new friends. Here is what we have planned for you:

Manulife Opening Reception – May 22: Kickstarting the conference on a high note, with an evening of networking and camaraderie in the breathtaking Whale Atrium at Memorial University’s Core Sciences building. Prepare to immerse yourself in engaging conversations over delectable food and beverages, setting the stage for the exciting days ahead.

TD Insurance Evening Event – May 23: Following the enriching sessions on May 23rd, join us at The Rooms Museum, the largest public cultural space in Newfoundland and Labrador. Explore the vibrant cultural heritage of the region while connecting with fellow professionals in a unique and inspiring setting.

Blackbaud Social Event – May 24: Close out the conference on a high note at the Spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador Showcase and become an honorary Newfoundlander as you immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Newfoundland songs and traditions, creating lasting memories as we bid farewell to CCAE 2024.

Your special event tickets are seamlessly included in the Full Conference registration package, offering you the perfect opportunity to unwind and forge connections beyond the conference sessions. These extraordinary events, made possible by our National Partners and generous sponsors, aim to highlight the best of St. John’s and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador!

We extend a warm welcome to advancement professionals from all corners of Canada, whether you’re a first-time attendee, joined us in Calgary in 2023, or call Newfoundland home. The CCAE 2024 conference promises something special for everyone, uniting us in the spirit of learning, collaboration, and celebration.

Looking forward to seeing you in St. John’s in May 2024 for an unforgettable experience!

National Conference Special Event Committee Chairs,

Chelsea Livingstone & Anna Peddle

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

With gratitude, mutual respect, and reciprocity, we respectfully acknowledge the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador, of which the City of St. John’s is the capital city, as the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk. Today, these lands are home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We also acknowledge, with respect, the diverse histories and cultures of the Mi’kmaq, the Innu, the Inuit, and the Southern Inuit of this Province. We express thanks for the CCAE 2024 National Conference being hosted on these lands.

The Conference Committee acknowledges the many challenges in the current landscape of higher education and recognizes each individual’s personal and professional impacts and experiences. The 2024 program includes sessions on digital accessibility, two-spiritedness ally-ship, building safe workspaces, enabling EDI, and equitable talent management, to address growing concerns around issues faced by advancement professionals globally.

The Committee members are committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all attendees. We will strive to use and promote respectful, non-gendered, and inclusive language. CCAE asks and reminds all conference participants to act in a considerate and respectful manner while at the CCAE Conference. Please review the Code of Conduct that all participants are expected to abide by. 

In addition, we seek to provide a welcoming atmosphere and safe spaces to recharge and find support. Any specific needs will be listened to with patience and empathy and accommodated before and during the Conference as they arise. Throughout the Conference, attendees may seek out our Safe Space Ambassadors: Rachel Castellano, Kathy Khouri and any CCAE team member with the identifying pink designation on their name tag. A Live Feedback box will also be available throughout the conference, and all comments will remain anonymous.

We look forward to welcoming you at the 2024 CCAE National Conference in May. 

National Conference Inclusion Committee Chairs,
Rachel Castellano & Kathy Khouri