The NASMC 2026 Program: Online and In-Person

NASMC 2026 is being programed to provide a meaningful experience for both in-person and online delegates.

The plenary program will bring everyone together, with virtual delegates joining the audience in Victoria through a live stream.

The parallel program will then follow two distinct formats: delegates attending in person will take part in sessions at the Victoria Conference Centre, while virtual delegates will have their own dedicated program of online presentations.

The online sessions have been selected from the main Call for Abstracts and assessed through the same review process as the wider conference program. They therefore reflect the same standards of quality, relevance and practical insight.

Virtual tickets include access to the live-streamed plenary sessions and the dedicated online parallel program. They do not include access to the parallel sessions taking place at the venue in Victoria.

OCTOBER 1
> 9 AM - 5.00 PM

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

Two exclusive full-day training workshops are being hosted ahead of the main conference (Oct 2 -3). Join our leading trainers to get a comprehensive introduction to community-based social marketing and how it is being applied throughout the world to foster behaviors that protect the environment, or enhance your startegic social marketing skills with the team at C+C.

(Seperate tickets must be purchased / attendance to the training workshops are not included in your main conference registration fee)

WORKSHOP 1: Fostering Sustainable Behavior
with Doug McKenzie-Mohr, Ph.D

In this workshop, which is delivered by the founder of CBSM, Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, you will learn how to:

1.  Select the most important environmental behaviors to foster,
2. Uncover what precludes people from engaging in these behaviors and what would motivate them to change their behavior,
3. Develop behavior change strategies that utilize knowledge from the behavioral sciences, and
4. Pilot test strategies to determine which most cost-effectively change behavior

WORKSHOP 2: Avoiding the Traps: Practical Solutions to Common Social Marketing Pitfalls in Public Health
with Julie Colehour, Partner and Andres Rodriquez, VP of Strategy at C+C

This interactive workshop is designed to help practitioners recognize and overcome the most frequent missteps in social marketing programs, with a focus on real-world public health applications. Drawing from hands-on examples such as vaccination uptake, opioid overdose prevention and mental health, participants will diagnose where planning and implementation can go wrong and learn how to avoid pitfalls and course-correct if needed.

OCTOBER 2 > 8.30 AM

MAIN CONFERENCE BEGINS

8.00 - 8.30 > REGISTRATION

Registration for the conference will offically open at 8.00 AM on Friday October 1 for main conference delegates to collect your delegate badge, bag and programme.

For all poster authors we advise you arrive by 7.45 AM to have time to set-up your work before the main sessions begin. 

8.30 - 10.00 > OPENING PLENARY

OFFICIAL WELCOME

NASMC 2026 will open with welcomes from Karyn Dudley, President of the Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA), and KristenHaley, President of the Northwest Social Marketing Association (NWSMA).

OPENING KEYNOTE

Dr Christine Kormos, Lead, Behavioural and Data Science at Impact Canada, will deliver the conference’s opening keynote presentation.

Chaired by Alison Schatz, Senior Communications Specialist at Metro Vancouver and NWSMA Board Member.

10.00 - 10.30 > BREAK

10.30 - 12.00 > MID-MORNING PLENARY

ARTS, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Chaired by LyndaBardfield, this plenary will explore the role of arts and culture in improving health, wellbeing and social outcomes.

Dr Jill Sonke will join virtually, followed by a presentation from JamesMiles, Chief Growth Officer at Path With Art. The session will conclude with a response panel considering a challenge posed by the speakers and exploring its implications for social marketing practice.

12.00 - 1.00 > LUNCH & NETWORKING

1.00 - 2.30 > SPARKS TALKS: PARALLEL SESSIONS

A fast-moving programme of TED-style, bite-sized talks inspired by the SPARKS conference team. These quick-fire sessions will bring together fresh thinking and BIG IDEAS to get the afternoon programme moving at pace.

2.30 - 3.00 > BREAK 

3.00 - 5.20 > PARALLEL SESSIONS

A varied programme of 20 and 30-minute presentations sharing research, practical case studies, new approaches and lessons from social marketing and behaviour change projects across North America and beyond.

5.45 - 7.30 > NORTH AMERICAN SOCIAL MARKETING AWARDS AND DRINKS RECEPTION

Join us as we celebrate the winners of the 2026 North American Social Marketing Awards, recognising outstanding and creative work in social marketing and behaviour change.

The presentation ceremony will be followed by drinks and light bites. All conference delegates are warmly encouraged to attend and help us celebrate this year’s winners. Find out more about the Awards.

9.00–10.40 > PARALLEL SESSIONS

The final day begins with a varied programme of extended presentations and interactive sessions exploring research, practice and innovation across social marketing and behaviour change.

10.40–11.00 > BREAK

11.00–1.00 > PARALLEL SESSIONS

The morning continues with quick-moving parallel sessions featuring 20-minute presentations. Speakers will share practical case studies, research findings, emerging approaches and lessons for social marketing practice.

1.00–2.00 > LUNCH & NETWORKING

2.00–3.00 > INDUSTRY INSIGHTS PANEL

A panel bringing together experienced leaders from across the field to share insights, perspectives and practical lessons for advancing social marketing.

Chaired by Marilu Fernandez-Haddad, with panellists Tracey Haldeman, Julie Colehour and Paj Nandi.

3.00–3.15 > SHORT BREAK

3.15–4.00 > CLOSING PLENARY DISCUSSION

NASMC 2026 will conclude with an interactive plenary reflecting on the ideas, challenges and opportunities that have emerged across the conference.

Members of the planning committee will share their key takeaways, with Rob Sadowski joining online to bring in perspectives from the virtual programme. The session will close with final remarks and a look ahead to what comes next.

OCTOBER 3 > 9.00 AM

DAY 2 BEGINS