2026 Speakers
Early-bird registration is now open for the 2026 BC Farmers’ Market Conference! Don’t miss your chance to learn from industry experts, build connections and gain inspiration to carry you through the 2026 farmers’ market season.
We have an exciting group of speakers ready to share their skills and knowledge with you, with more to be added. Select a speaker below to learn more.
Email Lists & Automation: Grow Your Audience, Save Time, Drive Results
Darian is the Metis founder of Vancouver based PR, digital ads & SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and digital marketing school, Jelly Academy. He is the host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, loves doing workshops, and volunteers on the board of the Digital Marketing Sector Council and NPower Canada and his local charter community – Waceya.
He is the editor of IndigenousSME, and freelances with publications like BCBusiness, Future Economy, Globe & Mail, Forbes and Entrepreneur magazine. His recent book Marketing Mentors featuring interviews with Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki and marketing leads from LEGO, Lululemon and Starbucks is available now wherever you purchase your books. Darian lives in Fort Langley, BC with his wife and four children and likes to mountain bike, swim, grow dahlias and watercolour and read YA novels in his free time.
Des Sobool is the Director, Economics and Deputy Chief Economist at FCC. His insights help support strategy and monitor risk throughout the corporation. In addition to acting as an FCC spokesperson on economic matters, Des provides commentary on the agri-food industry through economic reports and the FCC Economics blog.
Prior to joining FCC in 2006, Des was a professional research associate at the University of Saskatchewan. He was also a relationship manager at another financial institution. Des earned his master of agricultural economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2005.
Savour the Story: Crafting Your Community Culinary Destination Experience
Ian Worte works with destinations and organizations across Canada and internationally to grow culinary and agritourism. He has developed and revitalized a number of well-known food and beverage trails, including the Richmond Dumpling Trail, Ontario Craft Cider Trail, and the Fields & Flavours Trail in Waterloo Region. His work also includes strategic planning projects such as Destination Canada’s Field to Fork Corridor. Ian has supported capacity-building initiatives with partners like Indigenous Tourism BC, the Trans Canada Trail, and Visit Flanders, and helped create training programs including the Culinary & Agritourism READI Program and Taste of Place Leadership Program. He holds a Master of Economic Development and Innovation from the University of Waterloo, as well as graduate degrees from the University of Toronto and Carleton University.
FIFA Ready for Kickoff: Capitalizing on the World’s Largest Event
Imran Gill (he/him) has spent over a decade working in leadership roles across economic development, tourism promotion, public assembly facilities, and major events.
He currently serves as Director, Industry Partnerships and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility with Destination BC; a provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for British Columbia’s tourism industry. Imran is fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team at Destination BC, where he provides oversight across three cross-functional business units: Visitor Services, Co-op Marketing and Municipal & Regional District Tax, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility.
Outside of work, Imran loves spending time with his wife and their two‑year‑old son, exploring British Columbia through his son’s eyes and discovering new ways to experience the province’s natural and cultural richness.
FIFA Ready for Kickoff: Capitalizing on the World’s Largest Event
Jasmine is a marketing and communications professional and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University. She has been in her role as Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at BCAFM since 2024. Her love of gardening and passion for local food systems inspired her to move from her home town of Vancouver to Maple Ridge and establish her own small regenerative farm almost a decade ago. She balances her time working for BCAFM, operating her farm, and raising two daughters.
Honey 101 for Farmers’ Market Managers
Jeff Lee is the BC director for the Canadian Honey Council and a commercial beekeeper and co-owner of Honey Bee Zen Apiaries Ltd and Swan Valley Honey Ltd. He and his wife, Amanda Goodman Lee, are regular fixtures at farmers’ markets in the Kootenays, and Amanda is also the chair of the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition, which operates the Creston Farmers’ Market. They are passionate advocates for producing authentic local Canadian honey and are supporters of the Buy BC program. They operate a CFIA-licensed food processing facility and recently won several international awards for their honey. Jeff is also the chair of the Fields Forward Society, which operates Creston’s Food Innovation Centre for agricultural producer startups.
Influencer Program: From Strategy to Execution
Jocelyn was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., and holds a Business Administration degree with a specialization in Marketing from BCIT. She joined the BCAFM team in April 2022 and currently works in a part-time capacity. Prior to this role, she gained experience managing social media and public relations for various small businesses. Jocelyn is passionate about storytelling and leverages a variety of communication platforms to amplify the voices of local farmers while sharing resources that support the BC Farmers’ Market community.
Cooking as Storytelling: Inspiring Connections at Farmers’ Markets
With over 40 years experience in the food industry, Karen Curtis sees herself as a connector. She connects people with food in meaningful ways. As a community kitchen facilitator Karen believes her role is to work with people’s abilities, budgets, and needs to create relevant and useful meals. She is passionate about food security and supporting local farmers and producers. Karen’s adaptive and accessible teaching style means that toddlers through seniors can participate in the creation of beautiful, healthy food. Karen is a past member of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She has experience as a food manufacturer and recipe developer, and is veteran of the farmers market world, successfully running KICS Lemonade for 24 years.
From Overwhelmed to Organized: Smart AI Solutions for Farmers’ Market Teams
Kate Poirier embarked on her journey as a Communications Specialist, bringing a wealth of skills to the table, with a focus on small business development and a passion for technology-driven innovation. Transitioning from this role, she ventured into farm labour, gaining hands-on experience in the field. Now, as the Executive Director of the Cedar Farmers Market, Kate has merged her diverse background in market management, marketing, and data analytics, effectively steering the organization through both
turbulent and transformative change. Her mission centres on inclusivity, utilizing technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to simplify and automate processes for the benefit of all. Join her in exploring the potential of AI in farmers’ markets.
Tomat – Simplifying Coupon Transactions at Farmers’ Markets
Kerri has worked in community development for over 18 years and joined the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets in 2024. She is passionate about building strong, connected communities and supporting local food systems. Kerri enjoys canning, gardening, and spending time outdoors. She lives in Saanich and brings her experience and energy to supporting markets, farmers, and community partners.
From Purpose to Plan: Building a Fundraising Strategy
Kim Peterson (she/her) is an independent fundraising consultant (Cedar Fundraising) specializing in strategy and implementation of core fund development activities for small nonprofits.
Kim has 14 years of experience working both in-house and as a consulting partner with organizations representing a variety of cause areas including STEM education, community services, mental health and the environment. Through Cedar Fundraising she applies her expertise in the “whole” fundraising process, operations and communications to help clients develop and implement strategic annual giving programs through a combination of tactics suited for small shops including integrated campaigns, monthly giving programs and grant writing. In addition to 1:1 consulting work, Kim also delivers training and workshops for board members, volunteers and other fundraisers on the donor journey, fundraising campaigns and monthly giving.
Outside of work Kim enjoys exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family, and carving out time for herself (between kids’ activities and cohousing meetings) to be artistic and creative.
www.cedarfundraising.ca
kim@cedarfundraising.ca
Tomat – Simplifying Coupon Transactions at Farmers’ Markets
Mandy has been with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets for four years as a Regional Coordinator, supporting markets and community partners across the province. Passionate about accessibility and community, Mandy loves helping markets grow as welcoming spaces for all. Outside of work, she runs a small hobby farm with chickens and goats, bakes, enjoys the outdoors, and keeps busy with her three kids.
Building Strong Foundations: Compliance & Policy Essentials
Megan is an intuitive and highly driven Human Resources professional who brings in depth expertise and a strategic mindset to every client partnership. As a Senior Consultant, People and Culture at Pivot HR Services, she is committed to empowering organizations and professionals through thoughtful HR strategy, inclusive practices, and practical solutions tailored to each client’s unique goals.
With extensive experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Megan specializes in full-cycle talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, learning and development, DEI, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution. Her work is grounded in a strong foundation of employment legislation and HR best practices, allowing her to advise with clarity and confidence. Megan has held senior HR roles within both consulting and public sector environments, where she provided strategic level support across HR operations, client service delivery, and organizational development.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and holds her designation as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). Megan is certified in Emotional Intelligence to administer and interpret the EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360 assessments and has completed the Workplace Investigation Fundamentals program through Rubin Thomlinson Workplace Training. Megan considers herself a lifelong learner who prioritizes ongoing educational opportunities and continuously invests in expanding her expertise, staying at the forefront of evolving HR trends and best practices.
Well regarded for her professionalism, warmth, and analytical thinking, Megan is passionate about fostering inclusive, high-performing workplaces and delivering HR solutions that create meaningful impact.
Counting More Than Carrots: How Market Data Can Grow Your Market
Meghan Railton began her farmers market journey in 2020, quickly discovering her passion for connecting local farmers with their communities. Since then, Meghan has dedicated her career to fostering strong relationships between farmers, market organizations and customers, ensuring transparency and trust in the local food supply chain. With a focus on supporting sustainable food systems, Meghan currently works with The Collective Markets, where she oversees multiple vibrant local farmers markets and artisan events. Her work highlights the importance of local food sources while providing opportunities for farmers, artisans, and communities to thrive together.
MPowerED People – Creating Positive Relationships & Community
Michelle Tremblay, a founder of MPowerLives Company, is located in the Tri-Cities area in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. She has worked with over 20,000 participants nationwide and is highly recognized as a powerful speaker, great motivator, and compassionate leader. She is dedicated, committed, and inspired to mpower change in the workplace, schools, and community at large through mental and physical health and wellness strategies, mindfulness, and social and emotional learning.
She believes each individual can feel valued, confident, and responsible through the proper tools, support and workplace conditions. Her corporate work has led her to present to clients such as Work Safe BC, Van-Cities, Fraser Valley Child Development Centres, CPHR, School Districts and Non-for-Profit Agencies.
Michelle holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt with 20 years of Karate training and uses qigong and yoga practices to support mental health and physical wellness for children, adults, and seniors. For over the last 10 years her work has also consisted of teaching, mentoring and coaching children and youth with bully prevention training in school and after school programs, non-for- profit agencies, recreation centres, private organizations, personal and group coaching clients.
Tomat – Simplifying Coupon Transactions at Farmers’ Markets
Representing over a century of agricultural community spirit and innovation, the Pender Island Farmers’ Institute is the oldest community organization on Pender Island, British Columbia, having served the people of both North and South Pender Islands since 1899. Deeply rooted in tradition yet consistently forward-thinking, the Institute has long been a cornerstone of rural life on the island, supporting farming families and fostering a resilient local food economy.
Savour the Story: Crafting Your Community Culinary Destination Experience
Rebecca Gordon is the Destination Development Officer at the Culinary Tourism Alliance, where she delivers training and development programs for tourism organizations and businesses. She has played a key role in initiatives such as Culinary & Agritourism READI, Canada’s Culinary & Agritourism Action Plan, and Destination Canada’s Field to Fork Corridor. A passionate advocate for local food, Rebecca loves discovering hidden culinary gems and visiting farmers’ markets whenever she travels. She also enjoys helping businesses and destinations discover and develop meaningful “taste of place” experiences. Drawing on her experience as a former restaurant operator and food event creator, she has seen firsthand how food can connect people, spark excitement, and create lasting memories of a destination and its businesses.