As we count down the days to Forum 2026 in Vancouver, I feel a mixture of excitement and, I must admit, a little trepidation. This year carries an added sense of anticipation because Forum is returning after a three-year hiatus.

At IACP, we appreciate that this has been a significant break from something that has been such an important part of the IACP calendar and, for many, such an integral part of their Collaborative journey.
When we had to make the difficult decision to pause Forum, we knew it was necessary at the time. But during these three years, something became very clear to us. Members kept reaching out and telling us how much they missed Forum. They spoke about how much it meant to them as part of their connection with IACP and with one another.

We were reminded that Forum was not just the flagship event of IACP. Forum had become part of the very identity of our community.

This made us reflect deeply on what Forum really means. Perhaps the answer is different for each of us.

For me, having attended many conferences in the past, my first experience of Forum was a deep dive into learning. It gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the skills and knowledge I needed to become better at my practice. The workshops were led by people who had true mastery of what they shared, but what struck me just as much was the generosity with which they shared that knowledge. I came away having learnt something new and, importantly, with insights that enhanced the way I practised. Our Forum presenters have always been incredibly generous in contributing to the learning of our community. For many others, I believe Forum is about finding your people, your tribe, your community and being surrounded by people who share the same values, vision and desire to do their work in a way that is collaborative and compassionate. For some, it is the opportunity to reconnect with people they have met at Forums over the years; to catch up, see how each other has been doing, and eventually say goodbye with that familiar, “See you at the next Forum.”

And then there are the wonderful little traditions that have grown organically from within our membership, like the exchange of pins, where members share little pieces of their cities, states or communities. There are the special gatherings of people with shared interests where they reconnect, reignite and inspire each other.

And, of course, Forum is also about meeting someone for the very first time. It may be over a meal, at a workshop, during one of the Dine Arounds, or simply through a chance conversation, or an excursion you take together like visiting the Niagara Falls during the Toronto Forum 2023. You meet someone from another part of the world and discover that although you may come from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds, you all share a common denominator, a belief in and commitment to Collaborative Practice. And from that, new friendships are born.

This year, we will honour what Forum has always meant to our community, while bringing new energy and experiences for those who have been coming since the very first Forum in Oakland on 22 May 1999, and for those who are coming for the very first time and wondering, What is Forum all about? Our sincere hope is that Forum 2026 will meet your expectations but also surprise you. That it will give you the learning you came for, the connections you were hoping to make, and perhaps some unexpected friendships and experiences along the way.

With our theme of Collaborative Rising, I hope that Vancouver will be a place where we rise together with new energy, renewed purpose and an even stronger sense of the community in which we are privileged to be part of.

And perhaps, as we gather again, we will each find our own answer to the question: “What does Forum mean to you?”