FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When and where does the event take place?
The Banff Systems Summit will take place on May 19th-22nd, 2025 at the Banff Centre. The Map the System Canada Final will be hosted on the first day of the event, May 19th.
Why is the Systems Summit being hosted in Banff?
Banff is an internationally recognized destination, a global centre for learning, the arts, sustainability, and leadership development. Historically, it was a place of coming together, of peace and medicine, prior to colonization. Since colonization, it has welcomed travelers from across the globe, looking to interact with nature in all four seasons, to challenge their limitations and learn about their capacities. The first Banff Systems Summit brings these two histories together: we will invite top students from Canada and internationally, as well as systems leaders across a wide range of fields and sectors to explore how systems thinking can be applied to current challenges, and workshop skills students can employ as they transition from school to professional life. This will include time in nature with Indigenous systems thinkers, engaging with social entrepreneurs, and experiencing cultural opportunities that can help us all ‘unsettle’ and grow.
What are the main key objectives and expected outcomes of the event?
The Summit aims to:
1.
Offer space that welcomes students, educators, practitioners and the curious to share and learn about work and tools that are contributing to positive systems change
2.
Celebrate and learn from the perspectives and work of students, including all of the students participating in Map the System Canada
3.
Create a community of individuals and resources that may share and learn from each other outside the Summit
Who is eligible to attend?
The Banff Systems Summit is set to welcome post-secondary students enrolled in Canadian universities and colleges, who are interested in large-scale social change. We are also excited to invite select international students to attend.
Along with students, Canadian practitioner-changemakers (professionals) in all sectors - public, private, nonprofit - including equity-deserving community/public/industry leaders employing a systems-led approach in their work.
What is the cost to attend?
Individual Students - $400 (plus GST)
Practitioners - $700 (plus GST)
When will I need to have my team registered by?
We understand that you may not be able to register your team right away. No worries!
When you register as a team lead, a deposit of $500 will be required to hold your ticket as well as your teams spot. Once that is completed, student details and payment must be completed anytime prior to April 20th, 2025.
If you do not plan on attending the event with your students, the $500 deposit will be refunded once student registration is complete.
Do you have a cancellation/refund policy?
Should you need to cancel your registration, we are able to offer the following refunds prior to the event:
Cancellation prior to March 19th, 2024: 80% refund
Cancellations March 19th- April 19th: 50% refund
Unfortunately, if you cancel less than 30 days prior to the event, we will not be able to issue a refund.
What is included in the cost?
Your registration for the 2024 Banff Systems Summit includes the following:
- Welcome reception dinner to kick off the summit, including the Map the System Canada Final
- Breakfast and lunch buffets served at the scenic Vistas Dinning room on event days
- Access to engaging event panels and hands-on learning workshops
- Transportation arranged from Banff Center to the Town of Banff on one of the event days
Travel & Accommodation
Where is the closest international airport to Banff?
The closest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport (YYC). From the Calgary International Airport, it is 130km to the Banff Centre (approximately a 1 hour 30 minute drive). If you will not be renting a car, here are a few options for transport into Banff:
Getting to Calgary:
The nearest international airport is YYC Calgary International Airport, located in the northern part of the city.
On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for choosing WestJet for your travel plans. We are happy to offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border.
No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings.
To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com to make a booking online.
Applicable Rules
The booking is to be made to the following city: Banff, AB
The travel period begins: 5/12/2025
The travel period ends: 5/29/2025
Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web: 0D1U5AG
Promo Code: Travel Agent GDS only: YBD07
Getting to Banff:
By Shuttle
Several companies offer private shuttle bus transfers from the Calgary International Airport. These bus companies run on a schedule with multiple departures from Calgary to Banff. The two most popular are Banff Airporter and Brewster Express. They’re excellent options with various times and routes, so your travel plans may be better suited for one over the other
- Brewster Express is the largest operator of group tours and bus services in and around the Canadian Rockies. Cruise. Brewster, the transportation company, operates group tour buses that deliver guests to all the park’s major locations.
- The Banff Airporter is a year-round service between Calgary, Canmore, and Banff. They have many scheduled times, so you rarely have to wait more than an hour after your flight has landed. They offer a pickup/dropoff hotel service in Banff.
By Car
By Car Prefer to drive? The journey from YYC Calgary International Airport to the Banff Centre takes approximately 1.5 hours. Car rentals are available at the airport through multiple providers. For more information on car rental services, visit the airport’s official webpage.
Park Pass Requirement
Please note that all visitors entering Banff National Park are required to purchase a park pass. For details and online purchases, click here.
Do I require a visa to travel to Banff, Canada?
If you are travelling internationally into Banff, Canada, you may require a visitors visa. To learn more about the visa requirements and processing times please visit the below links:
Do I need a park pass when driving to Banff?
If you plan on driving and parking in Banff, you will require a Parks Canada, Banff park pass. These can be purchased in advanced or can be purchased at the toll booth when entering the park. You can learn more about the park passes here.
Please note, the park is regularly monitored for parking passes, and it is likely you will receive a ticket if you do not have a park pass. .
Will lodging and transportation be provided?
Lodging will not be provided by the event organizers, so please be sure to have reservations secured. The last day to book using the event rate at the Banff Centre was April 25th, 2025. Looking to learn more about accommodations for the event? Please visit our 'about' page.
You are still able to book your stay at the Banff Centre through contacting them directly by calling (403) 762-6148 or emailing reservations@banffcentre.ca
Please note: we will not be providing shuttles to/from Calgary for the 2025 Banff Systems Summit.
What should I pack/bring with me?
We suggest the following packing list:
● There is no dress code for the event, so please feel free to pack whatever you're. most comfortable in.
● Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as you will likely be walking and exploring Banff National Park.
● Laptop/tablet device, pen and paper. If you have international charging cords, please be sure to bring an adaptor.
● Anything necessary for overnight stays. Since we will be in the mountains, the weather in Banff can change quickly, so we recommend you park for both warm and colder weather.
This is not an extensive list, so please feel free to bring anything else you may require.
Still have questions? Contact the event organizers directly at hello@gravitypull.ca
