General Information
The 1st Annual Vancouver Youth Security Summit (VYSS) aims to bring together university students from undergraduate through postdoctoral programs for VISS-style programming designed specifically for their cohort. This event will run alongside our 3rd Annual Vancouver International Security Summit (VISS) at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel but will be held in a separate room with dedicated sessions aimed at youth for Day 1. On Day 2 students will have the option to stay and join the VISS panels and keynotes.
The purpose of VYSS is to make national-security issues accessible to young Canadians who may not traditionally see themselves as part of this conversation. The programming will connect national challenges to issues they already encounter in daily life, introduce them to leaders working across government, law, academia, and the private sector, and help them understand where their disciplines and future careers can contribute.
The broader goal is to help develop a generation that better understands the challenges Canada faces, sees themselves as having a stake in the country’s resilience and is prepared to contribute across sectors and disciplines.
Youth Summit Rates (In-person registration)
The Youth Summit is open to all students currently registered in a post-secondary institution
| 2-Day Registration | $99.00 CAD (plus GST) |
Registration Includes:
- 2 day in-person summit in Vancouver, BC (Oct.28-29)
- October 28th will be our dedicated Youth Summit programming
- October 29th you will have the option to join the sessions at our 3rd Annual Vancouver International Security Summit
- 2 buffet lunches and coffee breaks – please note breakfast is not provided
Social Media
Stay connected and engaged in the conversation leading up to and during the summit by following along on X (Twitter) @VIPSSUMMIT. Use the event hashtags #VISS and #VYSS in your tweets to add to the existing discussions. Please also join our security group on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4278381/ .
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Fairmont Waterfront, located on Vancouver’s stunning harbour, offers relaxed West Coast luxury. Just steps from the Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, historic Gastown and the iconic Seawall, it’s the ideal jumping off point for your Vancouver getaway.
Rooted in a sustainable travel philosophy, Fairmont Waterfront features a rooftop garden with bee hives where honey, herbs, fruits and vegetables are harvested. You can find those rooftop ingredients in the handcrafted food and cocktails in ARC Restaurant + Bar.
900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, BC
*Invited Speaker
Click on the date of the agenda you would like to view. Please note the timezone listed on the agenda.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
8:00 am – 8:05 am PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Call to Conference
8:05 am – 8:15 am PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Territorial Acknowledgement:
8:15 am – 8:30 am PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Opening Remarks:
8:30 am – 9:00 am • Waterfront Ballroom
Session 1 - Keynote Address
9:15 am – 9:45 am PST • Pr. Louise Suite
VYSS Opening Remarks
9:50 am – 10:25 am PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 2 – Canada’s Threat Landscape
10:30 am – 10:50 am PST • Waterfront Foyer
Morning Coffee Break
10:50 am – 11:25 am PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 3 – Local Issues; A Symptom of More Global Problems?
11:30 am - 12:30 pm PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 4 – Panel: How Canada Responds: Security Across Sectors
12:35 pm – 1:35 pm PST •
Lunch Break
1:35 pm – 2:05 pm PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 5 - Sponsor Keynote: TBD
2:10 pm - 3:05pm PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 6 – Panel: Voices from the Outside: Where Young People Fit
3:10 pm – 3:30 pm PST • Waterfront Foyer
Afternoon Refreshment Break
3:35 pm– 4:35 pm PST • Pr. Louise Suite
Session 7 – Canada in 2040: Multigenerational Effort to Build the Nation We’d Like to Inherit
4:40 pm –5:10 pm PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Session 8 – Keynote Address
5:10 pm – 5:15 pm PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Closing Remarks
Thursday, October 29, 2026
8:30 am – 4:25 pm PST • Waterfront Ballroom
Please refer to the VISS Day 2 Agenda at www.vissummit.ca
If you would like to sponsor this event, please download the Sponsorship Brochure for more information.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
If you are attending the 1st Annual Vancouver Youth Security Summit and need to make a hotel reservation we have a small room block at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel with room rates starting at $549. The room block ends September 30th. To book a room within this room block please call 1-800-441-1414 or 1-604-691-1991 and mention the summit name or book online at https://book.passkey.com/go/TRDANN1026 .
The Fairmont Waterfront, located on Vancouver’s stunning harbour, offers relaxed West Coast luxury. Just steps from the Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, historic Gastown and the iconic Seawall, it’s the ideal jumping off point for your Vancouver getaway.
Rooted in a sustainable travel philosophy, Fairmont Waterfront features a rooftop garden with bee hives where honey, herbs, fruits and vegetables are harvested. You can find those rooftop ingredients in the handcrafted food and cocktails in ARC Restaurant + Bar.
Deposit Policy: A deposit of One Night’s Room and Tax will be taken at time of reservation.
Cancellation Policy: Please cancel 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid forfeiting the one night’s room and tax deposit.
Early Departure fee: Fairmont Waterfront charges an Early Departure Fee of One (1) Night’s Group Room Rate Charge for guests who depart prior to their confirmed departure date. Though your group will be required to produce the contracted amount of room’s revenue, guests will be able to change their departure date to an earlier date without charge up to time of check in. After check in, fee will apply.
No Show: 1 nights room and tax will be charge if you do not arrive on the date of your arrival
