Explore Exciting Tours at the 2024 RCA Conference – Secure Your Spot Today!


Dare to join us at the 2024 RCA Circular Economy Conference for an eerily enlightening experience! This year, we’ve curated a thrilling lineup of tours designed to immerse you in the latest sustainable practices and innovations. Check out the details in the 2024 RCA Conference Program and find the tour that inspires you!

Tour Schedule

Afternoon Tours – Wednesday October 30th – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

  1. An Eternal Life – Circular Community Spaces: Banff’s Library of Things & the Town’s Newest Sustainable Build
    • Cost: Free
    • Sponsored by City of Lethbridge
    • On this tour, you will be dropped off at Banff’s Public Library, where you will be given a tour of the Library of Things. With support from the RCA’s Circular Communities program, and in partnership with the Town of Banff, the Banff Public Library launched the Library of Things to provide residents with borrowing opportunities for a variety of items that are rarely used, hard to store, or expensive, such as tools, cooking appliances, and hobby items. Attendees will then walk across the bridge to Banff’s Recreation Grounds and visit the Pavilion, the first building adhering to the Town’s Municipal Sustainable Building Policy, set to be certified as a Passive House Low Energy Building due to its low energy consumption. You will also learn about unique accessibility features that earned the building Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification.
  2. A Walk Through the Swamp – Business Action & Biomass: Visit the Canoe Hotel and Waste Transfer Site
    • Cost: Free
    • On this tour, you will first visit the brand new Canoe Hotel, where you will have the chance to learn about the unique ways they have designed the guest experience to be “zero waste.” This includes, but is not limited to, a zero waste coffee experience and an overview of the Banff Borrows cup reuse program. You will then get back on the bus and make your way out to Banff’s Waste Transfer Site, where you will learn about the Biomass District Heat System. The system uses a boiler to burn waste wood (such as from wooden pallets) and heat water, which is delivered through an underground pipe network to supply heat to four buildings: Roam Transit Operations & Training Centre, Fleet Services, Operations Maintenance Shop, and the Waste Transfer Station.
  3. Not so Spooky – Banff Springs Hotel Environmental Programs
    • Cost: Free
    • Join Fairmont Banff Springs management on a tour outlining the environmental programs integral to the hotel. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how your stay in Banff minimizes environmental impacts. Led by Patrick Jones and Scott Kelly (Fairmont Hotels)
  4. Nature Walk – led by Peter Duck
    • Cost: Free
    • WHEN YOU LIVE OUT IN THE WOODS TODAY…It’s scary living in a town surrounded by fuel that’s ready to burn. Join Peter Duck, a local naturalist and retired resource recovery specialist, for a walk in the woods. We’ll stretch our legs on the trails leading from the hotel through the woods on the edge of town with just enough uphill to get you invigorated by the fresh mountain air. We’ll talk about the nature of Banff and how a town integrated with the forest is being prepared for wildfire. We can talk nature, or we can also talk trash – it’s up to you.

Evening Tour – Wednesday October 30th – 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

  1. Fright Night Haunted Castle Tour
    • Cost: $40/person
    • Embark on a captivating journey through time with our Haunted Hotel History Tour of Banff Springs that comes with a spooky twist. Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll explore the storied halls and elegant spaces of this iconic hotel, hearing tales of its illustrious past dating back to its grand opening in 1888. Discover the fascinating stories of noteworthy guests, architectural marvels, and the rich heritage that has made Banff Springs a cherished landmark in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. However, be prepared to meet some of the notable guests who never checked out of the hotel.

Feeling more artistic than active? Don’t miss the Sustainable Flower Arranging workshop, offered at the same time as the afternoon tours. It’s going to be frightfully delightful! Click here for more details.

Secure your spot by registering for the RCA Conference today! Early bird pricing ends on September 20th, so don’t miss out. If you are already registered and would like to add on a tour, just send us an email.

  • Conference Dates: October 30 – November 1, 2024
  • Location: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta