Kelowna Chapter was proud to host the 2012 National Canadian Celiac Association Conference May 25 – 27, 2012 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna B.C. The conference included 5 great speakers and 46 gluten free exhibitors, door prizes and more. Approximately 260 delegates registered. A further 100 vendors, speakers and VIPS attended. Approximately 500 local people also paid $5 to attend the Kelowna 2012 Gluten-Free Expo.
The delegate options were as follows:
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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.) $250 CAD Saturday only |
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Saturday Banquet Includes buffet dinner, wine and entertainment! Starts at 6:00 pm. $85 CAD |
Download the full conference program
Five Speakers
Our keynote speaker was 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 presentation notes (PDF).
Dr. Ian Blumer spoke 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 spoke 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.
Click to read his full presentation notes (PDF).
Dr. Brent Barlow spoke 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 spoke 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.
Click to read his full presentation notes (PDF)
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 included breakfast, transportation to and from Choices, the cooking class, goodie bags, a store tour, and samples of Antonio’s creations. Registration was $50.
Optional Friday - The Art of Gluten-Free
This seminar was 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 were Mavis Molloy and Mary Hicks, clinical dietitians at Kelowna General Hospital. The seminar was Friday 8:30 am – 1 pm and includes breakfast, lunch and nutrition breaks. Registration is $75.
46 Gluten-Free Exhibitors
In addition to our speaker line-up, Kelowna 2012 had 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.
Thank You Volunteers
Thousands of volunteer hours were involved in putting on Kelowna 2012. The core volunteers were:
Irene Thompson – co-chair: Irene oversaw all aspects of the conference but focused on the program, speakers, and hotel arrangements.
David Fowler – c0-chair: David recruited the 46 vendors and sponsors for the event. He oversaw the A/V arrangements and booth set-up supplier. He also managed the web site, created the signage, arranged the print and web ads, and created the program.
Moyra Baxter – registration: Moyra oversaw all aspects of registration and the online booking system. She handled many phone and email inquires, created the name tags and ensured our process was smooth and error free. A bug shout-out to hunsband Rod whom spent approximately 30 hours over three days manning the registration desk and handling questions and concerns.
Jessica Samuels – media: Jessica oversaw local media for the conference include media sponsorships with Astral, and Shaw TV. Jessica coordinated our official volunteer photographer Mary Beth Lafferty and videographer Valerie McTavish. They also produced a terrific recap video of the conference. (Video link.)
Ann Paterson – treasurer: Ann handled the xptra burden of proding extra statements and chques beyond her normal chapter treasurer duties. She was also the money taker during the gluten-free expo!
Thanks to Bill Titheridge, Angela Petrie, Hannah Petrie, Dave Langrish, Gina Langrish, Angel Langrish, who manned the doors during the gluten-free expo.
Thanks to Andra Major who volunteered with the Celiac Disease testing.
Kelowna Attractions
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)
