OTTAWA, ON (February 7, 2022) - The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is set to return to in-person events for the next two Petro-Canada^TM Sport Leadership sportif (SLS) conferences coming up in Ottawa in 2022 and Calgary in 2023. 

SLS is Canada's largest conference for coaches, researchers, sport executives, and administrators. This event offers three days of learning, professional development, and networking with the top minds and leaders of the sport, business, and education communities in Canada.

Two ways to attend SLS22 
These past two years, the sport community has been greatly disrupted by the effects of the pandemic. As a result, the CAC quickly shifted gears and moved to an online delivery of SLS20 and SLS21, with topics addressing the challenges the sport community was facing and still navigating. The virtual conference format proved a successful formula in providing more than 4,400 new and returning delegates an opportunity to exchange ideas, enhance their knowledge, and connect with their peers throughout the three-day virtual events.

This fall, the CAC is pleased to partner with Ottawa Tourism to host SLS22 at The Westin Ottawa hotel from November 10-12, with the option for remote access to sessions and conference activities. “SLS is the CAC’s signature event, and we are pleased to provide this hybrid networking and learning opportunity for all, in person or virtually as we progress through the pandemic.” says Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the CAC.

“Ottawa was set to host SLS in 2021 but we had to postpone. That makes it that much more exciting to see the program developing into such a successful one for 2022,” says Ottawa Tourism’s Director of Business Events, Stephanie Seguin. “Delegates can expect to be welcomed with open arms by the host venue and the destination. Bringing people together is that much more thrilling after the long pause and we look forward to celebrating the event’s success and helping delegates enjoy all that this incredible city has to offer.”

A call for session proposals for SLS22 will open in March. Potential speakers will be invited to submit proposals for consideration once the submission process opens. Additional details will be shared in CAC communications and available at coach.ca/sportleadership in the coming weeks.

SLS23 goes West
The CAC is excited to return to where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, in the first city to host the Winter Olympic Games in Canada. In partnership with Tourism Calgary, the CAC will hold SLS23 at The Westin Calgary hotel from November 2-4, 2023. Calgary previously brought the sport community together for SLS in 2017 and will once again invite delegates from across the nation to share knowledge and experiences and inspire sport leaders to better navigate the challenges of an ever-evolving sport landscape.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif conference in 2023,” said Carson Ackroyd, Senior Vice President of Sales with Tourism Calgary. “Calgary is a city with hosting in its DNA and a community that supports and celebrates sport at every level. We are eager to showcase our vibrant sport and culture scenes, impressive hosting infrastructure, and our renowned community spirit to SLS delegates from across the nation.”

The Coaching Association of Canada is proud to present its annual conference in partnership with Petro-Canada, a Suncor business. “Year after year, SLS gathers together sport leaders and delegates from a vast array of sports; each bringing their expertise and perspectives to build a stronger sport system in Canada,” said Kristina Schaefer, Petro-Canada Brand Loyalty & Marketing Communications director. “We look forward to celebrating the achievements of Canada’s outstanding coaches at the events in 2022 and 2023.”

The Westin Ottawa hotel is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

The Westin Calgary hotel is located on the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. For more information, please visit www.coach.ca, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Suncor 
Suncor Energy is Canada’s leading integrated energy company, with a global team of over 30,000 people. Suncor’s operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the US, and our national Petro Canada retail distribution network (now including our Electric Highway network of fast-charging EV stations). A member of Dow Jones Sustainability indexes, FTSE4Good and CDP, Suncor is responsibly developing petroleum resources, while profitably growing a renewable energy portfolio and advancing the transition to a low-emissions future. Suncor is listed on the UN Global Compact 100 stock index. Suncor’s common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, operates more than 1,500 retail stations and 300 Petro-Pass™ wholesale locations nationwide. Petro-Canada’s retail loyalty program, Petro-Points™, provides Canadians with the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards. Petro-Canada is proud to be a National Partner of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees, supporting Canadian athletes, coaches and their families for more than 30 years. For more information, visit www.petro-canada.ca. 

Media contact

Selma Baaziz
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
sbaaziz@coach.ca
613.235.5000 x 2353