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Venue, Travel & Accommodations

A landmark Indigenous-led conference dedicated to advancing Indigenous economic participation in B.C.'s natural resource sector.

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Hotels

We recommend the hotels listed below for their proximity to the conference venue, and encourage you to mention your attendance at IROC 2026 when making your booking.

Coast Bastion Hotel

Experience downtown Nanaimo, BC like never before at Coast Bastion Hotel. Perched right on the scenic waterfront, our hotel offers awe-inspiring harbour and ocean views, as well as easy access to everything that makes Vancouver Island so unique.

11 Bastion St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6E4
(250)-753-6601

Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo

Settle in Marriott Award Winner in Design for the most comfortable of stays at Courtyard Nanaimo in downtown Nanaimo, BC, Canada. Our hotel is located across the street from the Vancouver Island Conference Center, a few steps from the Port Theater and Nanaimo Harbor.

100 Gordon St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J8
(250)-824-2705

Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Wake up to the rhythm of the harbour and the pulse of downtown Nanaimo at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel. Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a week-long adventure, this heritage-style hotel places you right in the heart of Vancouver Island’s coastal charm.

70 Church Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H4
(250)-754-6835

Travel & Transport

Nanaimo is well connected by air, ferry, and road. The Vancouver Island Conference Centre is served by several local transit routes and sits just steps from the downtown Nanaimo transit exchange, making it easy for attendees to arrive from across the region.

  • Travel By Car

    Driving & Parking

    Parking is available in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre Parkade located at 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo. Parkade access: Follow Gordon Street one block to Museum Way. Parkade entrance is behind the Port Theatre.

    Street Parking: The City of Nanaimo has several on-street parking stalls available for public use. These stalls consist of unmetered, metered, and disabled stalls.

    Please visit the Vancouver Island Conference Centre website for directions for travel by car, ferry and flights.

  • Travel By Ferry

    Hullo Ferry from Vancouver

    Hullo Ferries is the easiest way to travel between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo in just 75 minutes.

    With comfortable reservable seating, free wifi, charging ports, friendly staff, and connectivity to the SkyTrain and free Nanaimo shuttle, guests can spend more time with the people and events they care about.

    Delegates can use code IROC15 for 15% off fares between June 2nd and the 5th.

    Book Here

  • Travel By Seaplane

    Seair Seaplane from Vancouver

    Seair Seaplanes connects you to Nanaimo in as little as 15 minutes from Downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour) or Richmond (YVR South).  Arriving directly in Nanaimo’s Departure Bay, Seair offers a fast, scenic, and stress-free way to cross the coast, with flexible travel options, complimentary parking in Richmond, and 35 lbs of luggage included.

    Delegates can use code IROC2026 for 15% off Classic and Premium fares between June 2nd and the 5th.

    Book Here

  • Travel by Helicopter

    Helijet Helicopter from Vancouver

    Helijet is your connection between Victoria, Vancouver & Nanaimo. Take off in the style & comfort of their 12-seat Sikorsky helicopters and enjoy spectacular views of the Gulf and San Juan Islands dotting the Salish Sea. Make your journey to or from Vancouver Island a one-of-a-kind experience!

    Delegates can use code BCIROC26 for 30% off Full Fare flights between Vancouver – Nanaimo from June 1st to June 7th, 2026. Offer is not valid with any SALE, Ultra, or Flash fares.

    Book Here

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that Nanaimo is located on the traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and we are committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities. By recognizing and celebrating Snuneymuxw language, culture, and history, we honour the Snuneymuxw Nation’s stewardship and affirm our shared responsibility to work towards reconciliation.