Kelowna Chapter is proud to host the 2012 National Canadian Celiac Association Conference May 25 – 27, 2012 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna B.C. Kelowna 2012 features 5 great speakers and 46 gluten free exhibitors, door prizes and more.
Conference Options
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Full Conference 7 pm Friday to noon Sunday. Includes all meals, speakers and exhibits. (Excludes Art of Gluten-Free, Cooking with Antonio, & banquet.) Limit 500. $250 CAD Saturday only |
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Saturday Banquet Includes buffet dinner, wine and entertainment! Starts at 6:00 pm. Limit 500. $85 CAD |
Download the full conference program (May 11)
Conference Registration
| Register online via secure credit card | Register via mail and cheque | ||
Questions? Please email Moyra Baxter Due to hotel commitments, only 50% of conference fee will be refunded. No refunds after April 25th.
| Book Hotel |
Book by April 22, to qualify for conference group rate. You may also phone the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort Reservations Department at 1-800-465-4651 and identify yourself as being with Canadian Celiac Association.
Five Great Speakers
Our keynote speaker is Dr. Sheila Crowe. Dr. Crowe is a Professor of Medicine and Director of Research, Division of Gastroenterology at the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego. Dr. Crowe was educated at U of T and McMaster and has over 25 years of experience in Gastroenterology and is the co-author of Celiac Disease for Dummies. Click to read her full biography.

Dr. Ian Blumer will be speaking on celiac disease and its relationship to other autoimmune diseases. Dr. Blumer is an internal medicine specialist in Toronto and is a member of the executive of the Canadian Diabetes Association and is the recipient of the Canadian Diabetes Association Special Dedication Award. Dr. Blumer is a director of the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre and has a teaching appointment with the University of Toronto. He is the author or co-author of 8 books. Dr. Blumer’s web site is www.ourdiabetes.com.

Dr. Hardy Limeback will be speaking on dentistry and celiac disease. Dr. Limeback, PhD, DDS, is an associate professor and head of preventative dentistry at the University of Toronto, as well as a part-time dentist. He is the former President of the Canadian Association of Dental Research. He received his PhD in in collagen biochemistry and his DDS from the University of Toronto. He has authored or coathored over 80 publications on dentistry.

Dr. Brent Barlow will be speaking on naturopathy and celiac disease. Dr. Barlow is a Naturopathic Physician practicing at Okanagan Naturopathic Healthcare in downtown Kelowna. Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in the province of British Columbia as primary care physicians, which means they are licensed to diagnose and treat medical conditions primarily with natural medicines. As of 2010, NDs have also been granted pharmaceutical prescription rights which Dr. Barlow uses as part of his integrative and holistic approach.
Dr. Mohsin Rashid will be speaking on “Celiac Without Borders: A Global Perspective“. Dr. Mohsin Rashid is a paediatric gastroenterologist and an Associate Professor of Paediatrics & Medical Education at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. He did his Pediatric Residency training at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Gastroenterology& Nutrition Fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto. He is a member of the national Professional Advisory Board, Canadian Celiac Association and Medical Advisor to the Canadian Celiac Association Nova Scotia Chapter.
Optional Seminars
Optional Friday Event – Cooking with Antonio
Antonio Cerullo is Choices Markets’ Executive Chef. Choices is one of Kelowna’s largest health food stores. After running a successful fine dining restaurant on the shores of Lago di Como in Italy, a love of the outdoors and healthy living brought Antonio to Choices. Antonio is always cooking up a storm; when he is not developing delicious dishes for Choices Markets’ deli, he is creating recipes for newsletters, cookbooks and his wildly successful cooking classes. This 10 am – 2 pm session includes breakfast, transportation to and from Choices, the cooking class, goodie bags, a store tour, and samples of Antonio’s creations. Registration is $50. Limit 40.

Optional Friday - The Art of Gluten-Free
This seminar is for people who have recently adopted a gluten-free diet or for those who need a refresher on the latest diet information and label reading. Co-presenting the seminar are Mavis Molloy and Mary Hicks, clinical dietitians at Kelowna General Hospital. The seminar is Friday 8:30 am – 1 pm and includes breakfast, lunch and nutrition breaks. Registration is $75. Limit 50.
46 Gluten-Free Exhibitors
In addition to our speaker line-up, Kelowna 2012 will have 46 gluten-free food and beverage providers on hand in our exhibition hall to inform and let you try their tasty wares! Click for more information.
Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available
David Fowler is coordinating the exhibitors and sponsors for Kelowna 2012. If you’d like to be a conference sponsor, please email him at david@kelownaceliac.org. Download our PDF sponsorship information package: CCA Kelowna 2012 Sponsor Package
About Kelowna
| Kelowna is located at the center of the Okanagan Valley and acts as the economic regional hub of the southern interior of British Columbia. Kelowna is known for its warm semi-arid climate, fruit orchards, and wineries. It’s a popular vacation destination, 3.5 hours by road from Vancouver and 8 hours from Calgary. Kelowna is home to University of British Columbia Okanagan, Okanagan College, and the Big White Ski Resort. Kelowna hosts the 10th busiest airport in Canada with service from Westjet, Air Canada, Horizon and others. Vernon, Penticton, Summerland, and Osoyoos are within easy driving distance of Kelowna. | View Larger Map |
Conference Centre Walking Map: http://bit.ly/KelownaConferenceMap
Popular tourist attractions include: (view map courtesy CeliacScene)
- Mission Hill Winery (The largest winery in the area in West Kelowna)
- Gray Monk Estate Winery (Smaller winery on the way up to Mission Creek Winery)
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery (Organic Wine and Sparking Wine)
- Cedar Creek Estate Winery (Close to Summerhill)
- Kettle Valley Steam Railway (Steam Train Ride 40 minutes south of Kelowna)
- Kettle Valley Hiking Railway Trail (Hiking trail in the mountains over Kelowna with great views and amazing trestles rebuilt since the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire)
- Calona Vineyards (within walking distance of the Delta Grand)
For the kids: (view map courtesy CeliacScene)
- City Park Water Park and playground (within walking distance of the Grand)
- Scandia Golf and Games (mini golf, baseball practice, arcade)
- Kelowna Grand Prix (F1 go-carts across from Scandia)
- Grand 10 Cinema’s (close to Scandia and Grand Prix)
To learn more about Kelowna, check out the video below:












