Rural Recreation Summit

Meridian Exhibition Centre, Winkler - Find out more about the venue HERE!

Hotel Information

Rooms have been blocked off at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham – Winkler between September 22-24, 2026
Book HERE or call 204-325-8888 (Ext. 0) and mention the Rural Recreation Summit
Rooms must be reserved by August 21, 2026

Session Descriptions & Speaker Bios

The Benefits Based Approach to Decision Making

Rural recreation directors often face tough choices and limited resources. In this keynote, Brian Johnston introduces the Benefits Based Approach to Decision Making, a practical framework that helps leaders clearly communicate the value of recreation and align decisions with community outcomes. Brian will also strategies for working effectively with municipal councils, and techniques for informing CAOs on benefit-driven service delivery. Participants will learn how to highlight what matters most, embed this approach into everyday decision making, and ensure recreation departments, councils, and CAOs stay aligned. Attendees will leave with clear tips, tools, and communication techniques they can immediately apply in their rural communities.

Speaker: Brian Johnston, RC Strategies

Brian Johnston was the founder and President of Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC), a Surrey, British Columbia-based firm he established in 1975. More recently he sold PERC to RC Strategies where he is currently a Senior Associate. Over the past 50 years, he has worked with more than 150 communities across Canada and completed over 1500 recreation consulting projects, making him one of the country's most experienced recreation planning consultants. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brian holds a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Science in Recreation Management from Loughborough University in England. He began his career with Loughborough Recreation Planning Consultants Ltd. before returning to Canada to serve with Manitoba's Department of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs as both a Recreation Facilities Consultant and Regional Recreation Consultant. These experiences provided the foundation for PERC and shaped a career dedicated to strengthening recreation planning, facilities, and services in communities across Canada.

Artificial Intelligence for Recreation Directors: A Practical Introduction

AI is arriving fast, and AI fluency is becoming a baseline workplace skill, much like email or Excel once were. You don’t need to be a tech expert to begin; you just need curiosity and a willingness to explore. This session gives recreation directors practical, low risk ways to start using AI in their daily work. We’ll outline the essentials of AI policy and how to use these tools safely and responsibly, including key considerations around risk, privacy, and data security. From there, we’ll look at real world applications tailored to your role, grant writing and research, general information gathering, scheduling, and event management. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of what AI can do for them and simple, practical first steps to begin building their own AI fluency.

Speaker: Joel Dandeneau, IDFusion Software

Joel Dandeneau is the Director of People & Culture at IDFusion Software, an Indigenous‑owned technology company based in Winnipeg. His career began in economic development, serving as General Manager for a not‑for‑profit community development corporation in Gimli. For more than two decades, Joel has helped organizations embrace technology, develop talent, and build practical solutions that deliver meaningful results. With deep roots in rural Manitoba, he brings a grounded, community‑first perspective to every conversation. Joel is passionate about making technology approachable, purposeful, and impactful, ensuring it creates real opportunities for the people and communities it is meant to serve.

Recreation Rescue: Finding Solutions to Everyday Challenges

Step into the role of problem-solver in this fun, interactive session designed specifically for recreation professionals. Working in small groups, participants will tackle realistic scenarios and challenges inspired by situations recreation directors regularly face, from managing limited budgets and staffing shortages to addressing community concerns, program participation, volunteer engagement, facility issues, and unexpected curveballs. Whether you're new to recreation or a seasoned professional, this session offers a unique opportunity to learn from colleagues, test your problem-solving skills, and leave you better equipped to handle the challenges that come with leading recreation in rural communities.

Optional Facility Tour: Meridian Exhibition Centre

Come for a tour of the state-of-the-art facility that houses a fully accessible NHL sized arena, an indoor walking track, and a turf fieldhouse that can be converted into an event hall.

Dinner and Evening Event

We will wrap up Day #1 with a delicious dinner, some evening activities and networking. More details, including the menu, TBA!

The Recreation Exchange: Ideas, Answers & Inspiration

Looking for fresh programming ideas, practical solutions, and new connections? Join fellow recreation professionals for an interactive discussion designed to tap into the collective knowledge and creativity of rural recreation leaders. Through a series of facilitated conversations, participants will share successful programs, brainstorm new initiatives, explore common challenges, and exchange strategies that can be put into practice right away. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your best ideas, and leave with inspiration, resources, and a network of peers ready to support your work long after the summit ends.

Building Strong Municipal Partnerships: Recreation, Administration and Financial Success

This session focuses on strengthening the working relationship between recreation departments, commissions, and municipal administration, with a special emphasis on financial management. Through discussion and practical examples, participants will gain a better understanding of the municipal budgeting process, including how to prepare and manage budgets, and align recreation priorities with municipal financial goals. Participants will also explore how recreation staff and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) can communicate effectively, establish shared expectations, and work collaboratively to support informed decision-making. This session will provide practical strategies for building productive relationships while enhancing financial knowledge and accountability.

Speaker: Shane Ray, Municipality of Ritchot

Shane Ray currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Ritchot and brings more than 25 years of experience in municipal administration, recreation, and community development. His career includes senior leadership roles with the Municipality of Ritchot, the University of Manitoba, Red River College, CurlManitoba, and Grayson Strategies, where he supports municipalities, non-profits, and rural communities through strategic planning and organizational development. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Shane is passionate about enhancing quality of life through innovation, strong governance, and meaningful partnerships. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba, has pursued advanced studies in community development and strategic leadership, and has served on numerous local, provincial, and national boards. Outside of work, Shane enjoys exploring parks and rivers, golfing, and finding opportunities for fun in everyday life. He firmly believes that recreation is essential to building healthy, vibrant communities.

Always On: Leading Yourself in a Small Community

Mastering the Inner Conversation When Everyone Knows Your Name. In small communities, leadership doesn’t end when the workday does. Rural Recreation Directors live in a unique reality where chance encounters at the grocery store, rink, or local events can quickly turn into conversations about budgets, programs, or community tensions. The line between personal and professional is not just blurred, it’s intertwined.  This closing keynote invites participants into a deeply human and practical exploration of what it means to lead yourself in these moments. Rather than focusing solely on how to respond externally, this session centers on the internal dialogue: those immediate thoughts, emotional reactions, and tensions that rise when the “person” and the “professional” collide.

Speaker: David Falk, Facilitated Solutions

David Falk is a veteran conflict management specialist with more than three decades of experience as a mediator, trainer, facilitator, academic and workplace consultant. In the early 1990’s, he played a key role in developing the University of Winnipeg’s Conflict Resolution Studies undergraduate program. Since 1990, David has assessed and intervened in complex conflict situations and provided training and consultation across Canada, working with government at all levels, health care, crown corporations, unions, academia, and the private sector. Known for blending practical wisdom with humor, he helps participants strengthen their ability to prevent, manage and resolve the challenges they face. David is a chartered Mediator and has been a Partner and Senior Facilitator with Facilitation Solutions since 2023.

Recreation Manitoba Annual General Meeting

Recreation Manitoba will be hosting its Annual General Meeting at the end of the Rural Recreation Summit. More information about the meeting can be found on the AGM Page. A separate RSVP is required to attend!