International Delegate Guide to the CBIE Conference

CBIE is the voice of Canada’s international education sector, supporting member institutions through advocacy, capacity building, and partnerships to advance sustainable internationalization and global engagement. Its institutional membership is comprised of 160+ colleges, universities, polytechnics, CEGEPs, language schools and school boards from across Canada.

From its earliest foundations to today’s complex and competitive global landscape, international education has played a defining role in connecting people, ideas, and opportunity across borders and shaping generations of globally engaged leaders. For six decades, CBIE has advanced this work, bringing the sector together, informing policy and practice, and positioning international education as a strategic instrument of Canada’s global engagement.

The CBIE annual conference is Canada’s leading international education conference, bringing together professionals, institutions, government representatives, and partners from post-secondary institutions across Canada as well as delegates from around the world. The conference focuses on international education trends, partnerships, student mobility, research, and innovation in international education.

CBIE is privileged to welcome over 1,000 delegates each year, including international delegates from approximately 35 countries comprising 13% of our attendees.

CBIE has an extensive membership base with representation from each of Canada’s 10 provinces. The annual conference is open to anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of membership status. For a full list of our member institutions, please view the CBIE membership directory.

For more information on who attends the CBIE conference, please visit our Infographics page.

International delegates attend the CBIE Conference for:

Unparalleled networking opportunities: CBIE2026 will convene over 1,000 attendees, offering a unique platform to build meaningful connections with representatives from diverse educational institutions, government bodies, and international organizations.

Partnership development with Canadian institutions: CBIE2026 attracts representatives from post-secondary institutions across Canada, making it an ideal forum to connect with the full spectrum of Canada’s international education sector.

Engagement with policymakers and sector leaders: Connect directly with key decision-makers shaping international education in Canada.

Insights into Canada’s international education landscape: Gain valuable perspectives on policies, trends, and opportunities for collaboration.

More reasons to attend CBIE2026

Yes. The conference features a wide range of networking opportunities, including receptions and events throughout the program. Some key opportunities are:

International Partnerships Day: This full-day pre-conference event taking place on Sunday, November 22 is specifically designed to facilitate structured business-to-business networking sessions. Access to this event is included with the International Delegation – Full-Conference Pass ticket type ($1,345 CAD per person). If you are purchasing a day-pass or only wish to attend the International Partnerships Day (and not the rest of the conference), tickets to the event can be purchased for $350 CAD per person.

For more information on the International Partnerships Day, please visit the International Partnerships Programming page.

Opening Reception: Join us on Sunday, November 22 for an evening of light refreshments, live entertainment, and networking opportunities during the opening reception. Tickets to this reception are included with the International Delegation – Full-Conference Pass ticket type. If you are purchasing a day pass, or are only attending the International Partnerships Day, tickets to the opening reception can be purchased for $75 CAD.

CBIE 60^th Anniversary Reception: Join us onsite on Tuesday evening, following the Excellence Awards Ceremony, as we take the time to reflect and reminisce on CBIE’s six decades of impact on Canada’s international education sector.

Yes. Many delegates arrange meetings both before and during the conference. All registered attendees will receive access to the delegate list several weeks in advance.

The meeting booking function and the delegate list will be housed in our event app.

Delegates are encouraged to:

• Confirm travel and visa requirements early. Learn more
• Book accommodations in advance. Book now
• Prepare institutional materials and business cards.
• Schedule meetings ahead of time using the conference app.
• Review the conference agenda and identify priority sessions. View program

International Partnerships Day is a full-day pre-conference event taking place on Sunday, November 22, 2026. It is designed to facilitate structured business-to-business (B2B) networking between Canadian and international delegates, and to showcase international education opportunities through Country Spotlight Sessions.

For international delegates: Access to this event is included with the International Delegation – Full-Conference Pass ticket type ($1,345 CAD per person). Delegates who wish to attend only International Partnerships Day (and not the full conference); tickets can be purchased separately for $350 CAD per person.

For Canadian delegates: International Partnerships Day is offered as a pre-conference event and requires the purchase of a separate ticket ($350 CAD per person) during conference registration.

Coffee will be available throughout the day, and lunch will be provided.

Participating countries will be featured on the International Partnerships Programming webpage as attendance is confirmed.

For international delegates, information about participating Canadian delegates, provincial international education associations and government representatives will be available approximately one month before the conference and can be accessed via the conference app.

The annual conference is open to anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of membership status. For a full list of CBIE’s member institutions, please view the CBIE membership directory. For more information on who attends the CBIE conference, please visit the conference website.

For Canadian delegates, information about participating countries, institutions, and organizations will be posted on the International Partnerships Programming page as delegations are confirmed. Delegate titles and institutional or organizational affiliations will be added as details become available.

International Partnerships Day is designed to encourage direct conversations and partnership development between Canadian and international participants. The event takes place in a dedicated networking space designed for business-to-business meetings.

Throughout the day:

• International delegations will be assigned dedicated tables identified with country signage and organized by region. Each table will be numbered for easy identification, and floor maps will be available onsite.
• Tables will seat up to four participants and typically host representatives from one or two institutions or organizations within a delegation.
• Canadian delegates are invited to circulate throughout the room to meet with international delegates and explore partnership opportunities.
• Country Spotlight Sessions will take place in a separate presentation room throughout the day.

Coffee and lunch will be provided for all registered participants.

International and Canadian participants will have access to the Institutional Partnerships Directory, an online platform designed to help delegates showcase their institution or organization, highlight partnership interests and priorities, and connect with potential partners.

Through the directory, participants can:

• Provide a brief institutional profile.
• Highlight areas of expertise and partnership interest.
• Identify priority regions or sectors for collaboration.
• Upload supporting documents, brochures, videos, or other promotional materials.

While participation is optional, delegates are strongly encouraged to complete a profile to maximize visibility and support meaningful partnership discussions before and during the conference.

The Institutional Partnerships Directory will be available in the fall prior to the conference.

Country Spotlight Sessions are intended for larger international delegations that include government representatives, and/or national education associations. These sessions provide an opportunity to highlight national priorities, emerging opportunities and areas of interest for academic partnerships and collaboration with Canadian institutions.

These 30-minute presentations will take place throughout International Partnerships Day in a separate room. Space is limited, and additional information about presentation opportunities will be provided directly to participating delegations that meet these criteria.

To maximize networking opportunities, delegates are encouraged to:

• Complete an institutional profile in the Institutional Partnerships Directory.
• Review participating delegations, institutions, and organizations in advance.
• Contact existing and prospective partners before the conference.
• Schedule meetings prior to arrival whenever possible.
• Bring promotional materials, business cards and partnership information to share with prospective partners.
• Review their institution’s international priorities and identify potential collaboration opportunities.

Advance preparation will help delegates make the most of International Partnerships Day and facilitate more productive partnership discussions.

Plan your conference experience by exploring the program before you arrive. Identify sessions and networking opportunities most relevant to your interests and objectives.

View the Conference Program

Increase your visibility and make it easier for Canadian delegates to connect with you. Create or update your institutional profile to showcase your areas of expertise and partnership interests.

Register Your Institution

The conference app will be available approximately one month before the event.

Use the app to build a personalized agenda, connect with attendees, request meetings with other conference attendees, receive real-time updates, and access important conference information all in one place.

Use the Conference App and the Institution Directory to identify potential partners and schedule meetings with delegates, partners, and exhibitors before you arrive.

Help spread the word and share your conference participation.

Access ready-to-use graphics, sample posts, and official hashtags to promote your attendance.

Social Media Toolkit (Coming Soon)

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