Trails of the World Dinner & Keynote
Enjoy an evening of conversation and connection at a Canadian landmark!
Hosted at the stunning Canadian Museum of History, right across the river from Parliament Hill, this gala event on the evening of October 2 is sure to be a conference highlight. You’ll have the opportunity to network with your peers and invited special guests over dinner and drinks as we celebrate the global trails community.
Shuttle service between the Delta Hotels Ottawa Centre and the Canadian Museum of History will be available for all conference attendees.
Keynote Speaker: Dianne Whelan
Award-winning filmmaker and adventurer Dianne Whelan will headline the evening with an inspiring keynote address. Drawing from her extraordinary documentary, “500 Days in the Wild,” Dianne will share insights into trails and trail stewardship gleaned during her trek across the entirety of the Trans Canada Trail. Through captivating storytelling and breathtaking visuals, Dianne will delve into the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, highlighting the importance of preserving and protecting our trails for future generations.
About Dianne Whelan and 500 Days in the Wild
Dianne has spent the past three decades telling stories through photography, books, spoken word, film, social media and interactive web projects. Prior to setting out on her epic adventure filming “500 Days in the Wild,” she had previously created “This Land,” an award-winning documentary, book and interactive project shot in the High Arctic, and “40 Days at Base Camp,” a feature documentary shot on Mount Everest.
“500 Days in the Wild,” released in 2023, chronicles Dianne’s six-year journey hiking, biking, paddling, snowshoeing and skiing across the country on the Trans Canada Trail. Starting in Newfoundland in 2015, Dianne traveled to all three of Canada’s coastlines, reaching Victoria, BC in July 2021. Her journey along 24,000 km of trail, most of which was completed solo, saw Dianne fight through exhaustion, extreme weather conditions, close encounters with wild animals – not to mention the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Dianne, like so many others who engage with the Trail in their own ways, exploration led to connection. Not only a deep connection with nature but human connections and connections to our past, present and future.
Venue: Canadian Museum of History
The historic Canadian Museum of History will be our host for the evening. With roots stretching back to 1856, it is one of Canada’s oldest public institutions and a respected centre of museological excellence, sharing its expertise in history, archaeology, ethnology and cultural studies both within Canada and abroad.
Designed by renowned Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, the Museum is one of Canada’s most striking architectural masterpieces. Located in Gatineau, Quebec, just across the Ottawa River, it also offers a stunning view of Parliament Hill.
