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.
Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel
If you are attending the 1st Annual Vancouver Youth Security Summit and need to make a hotel reservation we have two room blocks set up. The first one is at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Please click here to book your room, with room rates starting at $259/night. The room block ends on October 2, 2026.
The Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel is situated right near the water, a stone’s throw from the beautiful Stanley Park as well as the bustling Gastown district and the renowned shopping on Robson Street and within easy access to an incredible array of arts and entertainment. We’re also steps from the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Each of the guest rooms at our downtown Vancouver hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows, Japanese automatic bidets (TOTO®), 55” flat screen TVs and traditional welcoming origami cranes, a symbol of hospitality. These high quality amenities are signature features of APA Hotel in Japan and unique toAPA’s Urban Style Hotel concept. Our rooms come with complimentary wireless Internet and a range of modern amenities. You’ll also have access to our top-notch fitness center, pool and hot tub—not to mention our signature Prestons Restaurant + Lounge, the perfect spot to drink, dine and dish about your Vancouver experience.
– Must cancel 48 hours prior to 4:00PM the day of arrival to avoid penalty. Cancellation fee of 1 night’s room and tax at confirmed rate.
– No-Show: Reservations where the guest has not arrived on their confirmed arrival date will be cancelled by the hotel and the party which has guaranteed the reservation will be charged an amount equalling one (1) night’s room rate and applicable taxes.
– Early Departure: An early departure fee equalling one night of the confirmed room rate and applicable taxes will be charged to the party which guaranteed the reservation for guests departing before their confirmed departure dates. Guests will be exempt from this charge if they change their departure dates prior to their arrival date or at the time of check in.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
If you are attending the 1st Annual Vancouver Youth Security Summit and need to make a hotel reservation we also have a small room block at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel with room rates starting at $549. The room block has been extended to October 2nd. 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
