2026 COCA National Conference: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

4:00pm MDT

Monday June 15, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

New to COCA or looking to connect?

Join us at the New Delegate Meet & Greet!

This is the perfect opportunity to meet the board, connect with fellow first-time attendees, and start building your network in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Drop by, say hello, and enjoy some complimentary snacks while you mingle!

Presenters

Delane Howie

Senior Manager, Student Events & Services, University of Alberta Students' Union

Alyshia Kelbert

Executive Director, Assiniboine College Students' Association

Michael Ouellet

Operations & Services Manager, Students' Union Okanagan of UBC

Monday June 15, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

General

10:45am MDT

The Ins and Outs of Esports

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

Collegiate esports is rapidly shaping student life across North America. This session explores its growth, using St. Clair College’s varsity program as a model for balancing competition, leadership, and support. It highlights inclusive gaming trends and shows how low-cost initiatives like casual play spaces can build community, enhance wellness, and boost student engagement on any campus.

Presenters

Crystal Benn

Manager, Facilities Building Operations, St Clair Student Representative Council

COCA Board Chair 2024-2026

Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, ED Session Series 1

4:00pm MDT

Graphic Design Roundtable

Tuesday June 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just getting started, this session is a space to talk all things graphic design! We’ll kick things off by hearing what you want to dive into, then focus on the most popular topics and shape the conversation together. Prepare for a collaborative session, with time to go deeper into ideas, tools and challenges as they come up.

Presenters

Annelies Sikkenga

Manager (Marketing, Events & Partnerships), University of Manitoba Students' Union

Tuesday June 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Roundtables

3:30pm MDT

Marketing & Public Awareness Campaigns Roundtable

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

Algorithms change. Get into the weeds with fellow campus marketers on what's actually driving engagement right now.

Presenters

Jan Mari Tabligan

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Roundtables

10:15am MDT

Beyond Attendance: Designing Campus Events That Help Students Connect

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Qu'Appelle

Presenter: Linda Chan, Showpass

Student engagement is evolving, with campus teams doing more with fewer resources. This interactive peer session connects programmers, student leaders, advisors, and marketers to share successes, challenges, and ideas. Through rotating discussions, attendees will explore ways to improve event access, engagement, and connection, leaving with new contacts, actionable ideas, and fresh inspiration.

Presenters

Linda Chan

Head of Marketing, Showpass

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Ed Session Series 5

11:30am MDT

When Student Ambition Outpaces Student Capacity: Building a Sustainable Club Leadership System

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

At Marianopolis College, a campus of roughly 2,200 students with over 150 student clubs and only two years for students to get involved before graduating, student ambition can grow faster than student capacity. This session explores the challenges that come with highly motivated student leaders trying to do too much, too quickly, and how a newly developed club system was designed to create more sustainable leadership, stronger club continuity, clearer expectations, and healthier long-term student involvement without crushing creativity or initiative.

Presenters

Adam Reider

Student Life Counsellor, Marianopolis College

Adam Reider is a Student Life Counsellor from Montreal, Quebec, with over 20 years of experience creating leadership, engagement, and community-building opportunities for young people. His work has spanned higher education, recreation, and community programming, where he is passionate... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Education Session

12:45pm MDT

Regional Elections Meeting Eastern

Thursday June 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

Regional Elections Meeting Eastern

Agenda File Attached

Thursday June 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Regional Meeting, Eastern Members

10:45am MDT

Club Transitions

Friday June 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

Qu'Appelle

Passing the torch from one executive team to the next is an exciting but challenging season. Whether it’s lost documents or lost momentum, this session will provide you with actionable steps on how to better support clubs in transition. Take a deep dive into the procedures, resources, and training that actually help ease the strain of club transition.

Presenters

Katie Treanor

Clubs & Volunteer Coordinator, St Clair Student Representative Council

Friday June 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Ed Session Series 8

12:00pm MDT

Building Engagement Through Better Meetings

Friday June 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

Qu'Appelle

Meetings are where most students connect with clubs and organizations, student governance, and other groups on your campus. Well-run meetings can enhance their membership experience. Knowing how to participate in and run meetings can help students to feel more comfortable, confident, and at-ease when they attend a meeting of their club or organization. Fun and engaged meetings attract members and make them want to be more active with the group.

This program will help to eliminate the chaos and confusion in your meetings, help your student leaders to be more productive, and make all of your members feel more confident in their leadership roles. Your students will be able to get things done!

Artists

Dave Kelly

Professional Speaker, Trainer, Author, Coach and Consultant, Dave Kelly

Dave Kelly is a professional campus speaker, trainer, author, coach and consultant. With 20+ years of experience, he has spoken 700+ times on campuses and at 100+ conferences. A former student leader and award-winning advisor, Dave specializes in clubs and organizations, leadership... Read More →

Friday June 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Qu'Appelle DoubleTree Regina

Education, Ed Session Series 9

4:00pm MDT

10:45am MDT

4:00pm MDT

3:30pm MDT

10:15am MDT

11:30am MDT

12:45pm MDT

10:45am MDT

12:00pm MDT

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