2026 RNS Conference - Truro, NS
We’re excited to announce the dates for Recreation Nova Scotia’s Annual Conference! Join us October 14-15 at the Best Western Truro – Glengarry as we bring the recreation community together once again.
As always, the conference includes our AGM, along with our award ceremony celebrating outstanding contributions across the sector. Be sure to nominate the recreation professionals in your community who deserve recognition! More details are on the way. We can’t wait to share what’s in store, stay tuned!
This year’s theme, Waves of Impact: Elevating the Value of Recreation in Nova Scotia, reflects the evolving landscape of the recreation sector and the growing need to champion the essential role recreation plays in our communities.
As recreation professionals continue to navigate change and respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, it is more important than ever to recognize, demonstrate, and communicate the profound impact recreation has on the health, well-being, and connectedness of individuals and communities across Nova Scotia.
Call For Speakers
We invite presenters to share innovative ideas, promising practices, research, and stories that inspire action and strengthen the value of recreation throughout the province.
Submit your proposals using this link: https://form.jotform.com/261654123533250
Recreation Nova Scotia Awards
The annual RNS Awards pay tribute to exceptional individuals, organizations, and communities that, through their programs, events, projects, and passion, have made outstanding contributions to building healthier communities and enhancing the quality of life for Nova Scotians through recreation.
Make a Nomination for the 2026 Awards!
RNS is now accepting nominations in 7 award categories. See below for a detailed description of each award category and use this link: https://form.jotform.com/241345242538252 to submit your nomination.
The deadline to nominate is July 26th, 2026.
Award Categories
Award Nominations may be submitted for the following categories: click on the links below for a brief description of each award category and the criteria that will be used to evaluate submissions.
- pdf Bluenose Achievement Award(1.06 MB)
- pdf Mayflower Community Cooperation Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Connecting People with Nature Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Event/Program Excellence Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Heart of Recreation Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Professional Achievement(1.03 MB)
- pdf Honourary Lifetime Member(1.04 MB) (Nominations will not be accepted for this category in 2026)
2026 Call for Artists
Recreation Nova Scotia invites artists and artist collectives/groups to submit proposals for either:
- a single 2-D artwork that will be printed in duplicate, framed, and presented to each of the winners of Recreation Nova Scotia’s annual awards; or
- A total of 8 (eight) 3-D artworks that would be presented to each of the winners of Recreation Nova Scotia’s annual awards.
The awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony that is taking place as part of Recreation Nova Scotia’s annual conference on October 14 at the Best Western Truro – Glengarry in Truro, NS.
Artist fee:
Option 1: $700.00
Option 2: $900.00
Eligibility: Open to professional/emerging artists who live/create in Nova Scotia, with priority given to artists who currently live/create in or have a connection to the Fundy Region, the host region for this year’s conference.
Submission details: View the pdf Artist Call document(238 KB) for more details, Final Artworks due: October 1, 2026. Complete the submission form on Jotform by August 31, 2026. Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026.
Accomodations
A special conference group rate is available for attendees at the Best Western Glengarry from October 13–14. Rooms are offered at $165 per night and include a complimentary breakfast.
Follow the link provided to book your stay: Best Western Turro- Glengarry | Rooms & Rates
For any conference related questions or concerns, please reach out to Alan MacKeigan at
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You can see past RNS conferences here.