Start your day your way. Choose between a Mental Health & Wellness Session or connect over Breakfast and Speed Networking with CAWIC.

If you haven’t already done so, drop by the registration desk to pick up your name badge, conference materials, and delegate giveaways. 

Fuel up for an inspiring day at the 2026 CAWIC Annual Conference with a delicious breakfast and great company. Join us in the morning to connect, recharge, and get ready for a full day of learning, networking, and celebration.

Join us as we officially open the 2026 CAWIC Annual Conference with a welcome and opening remarks. We’ll set the stage for what’s ahead at this year’s event. 

Breaking barriers and building futures

Contractor, TV personality, and passionate advocate for women in the skilled trades, Sherry is helping redefine what the future of construction looks like.

Since starting her construction career 15 years ago alongside her father, Mike Holmes, and brother, Michael Holmes Jr., under the television spotlight, Sherry Holmes has forged her own path. A passionate advocate for youth and women in the skilled trades, she uses her platform to drive change. From her latest show Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, her web series Summer Holmes, and partnerships with organizations like Skills Canada, Sherry is helping build a more inclusive, resilient industry—one project at a time.
 
 Sherry will share insights into navigating and succeeding in dominantly male workplaces, her career journey, and her perspective on what our industry and each of us can do to attract and support more women in the construction sector.

• Sherry Holmes, Contractor | TV Personality

Take a break, grab a coffee, and make the most of this time to connect with fellow attendees and explore the CAWIC Exhibitor Centre. Discover innovative products, services, and opportunities from industry-leading organizations. 

To be announced

Take a pause and enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with fellow attendees. Whether you’re continuing the conversation from the morning sessions or meeting someone new, this is your chance to recharge, refuel, and build meaningful relationships.

Breakout Session 1 – Leadership: Strategic Influence: Leadership Tools that Move Projects Forward

• Dawn Sweany, Strategic Coach for Women in Business, Rodina Ventures Ltd.

Breakout Session 2 – Skills Enhancement: From the Field to the Future: Leading Through Change, Ambiguity, and AI 

• Holynde Smiechowski, Corporate AI Lead, PCL Constructors Inc.

Breakout Session 3 – DEI: Cultivating Brave Spaces 

• Reva Bond, Founder, Halcyon Homesteading

Breakout Session 1 – Leadership: Two Pathways, One Pipeline: Supporting Youth and Women Entering the Skilled Trades
Speaker:

• Susan Crowley, Executive Director, CWB Foundation

Breakout Session – Skills Enhancement: Tools For Change

• Carla Madra, President & CEO, Women Building Futures Society

Breakout Session 3 – DEI: The Blueprint Approach. How to Build Inclusive Workforce Systems in High Demand Industries

• Stacey Noronha, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Business Development

Take a break, grab a coffee, and make the most of this time to connect with fellow attendees and explore the CAWIC Exhibitor Centre. Discover innovative products, services, and opportunities from industry-leading organizations. 

Elevating Women in the Workplace: Combating Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS)
Award-winning entrepreneur. Leadership expert. One of Canada’s leading voices on workplace belonging. Through groundbreaking research, Dr. Billan is helping organizations build cultures rooted in trust, resilience, and inclusion.

At the 2026 CAWIC National Conference in Calgary, she’ll present Elevating Women in the Workplace: Combating Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS), a silent, systemic pattern of bias that undermines women’s achievements across industries.

This keynote goes beyond awareness. It’s about action.

You’ll walk away with practical, research-backed strategies to 

• Foster cultures of trust and belonging
• Support high achievers to grow and lead
• Build more inclusive, resilient workplaces

This is leadership redefined and a call to action for meaningful change and transformation.

Join us for a reception before dinner to unwind, connect, and toast to an inspiring day. Enjoy great conversation and casual networking as we transition into an evening of celebration and connection at the 2026 CAWIC Annual Conference.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the 2026 CAWIC Gala Dinner & Awards! Join us as we come together to celebrate the achievements of extraordinary women and allies in construction. Enjoy a memorable night of fine dining, entertainment, and inspiring moments.

Keep the celebration going and join us after the Gala for a relaxed and fun after-party! Whether you’re in the mood to chat, or just kick back with colleagues, this is your chance to wind down in great company. A perfect end to the day.