NICHI 2026 Membership Engagement Session
April 23, 2026 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity, an arts centre and social enterprise operated by First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre.
Book Your Travel and Hotel
The NICHI 2026 Membership Engagement Session will take place on April 23, 2026 at:
First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity
42 Bannerman St.
St. John’s, NL A1C 3M6
We encourage attendees to book their travel and accommodations through the CHRA Congress hotel block.
Get to know St. John’s and prepare for your trip! https://destinationstjohns.com/2026-destination-st-johns-guide-map/
Accessibility at First Light Centre for Performance & Creativity:
The main entrance to our Performance Space at 81 Cochrane Street features a ramp for easy access, and while the doors do not currently have push buttons, First Light staff are always available to assist; guests are welcome to knock upon arrival or contact us in advance to arrange any support needed to enjoy their visit. Inside the Performance Space, we have a designated “accessible seating” row with extra legroom for mobility aids, though please note that balcony seating is accessible only via the staircase. A ramp leads to the washroom area near the Performance Space, where all doors are button-operated for entry and locking, and a lift is located in the hall to provide access to the second floor. This second floor houses additional spaces where lunch and several breakout sessions will take place. It is one level and features both gender-inclusive multi-stall and single-stall washrooms. Please feel free to contact lauren@firstlightnl.ca if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to request specific accommodations regarding accessibility.
Transportation
Complimentary transportation will be provided between the event venue and the following CHRA Congress hotels:
- Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre – 3 buses
- Hilton Garden Inn – 1 bus
- JAG Hotel – 1 bus
Please meet in the hotel lobby between 8:00–8:15 AM. A NICHI staff member will be present to guide you to your bus.
Upon arrival at the First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity, attendees will register and enjoy morning coffee and pastries before the session begins.
The event will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
Return buses will depart the venue at 4:00 PM, transporting attendees back to the three hotels listed above.
Agenda
| Thursday, April 23rd | ||
| 8:00am-8:15am | Meet in lobby of hotel | Transportation Provided from Hotel Lobby |
| 8:15am-9:00am | Arrive/Breakfast & Register | First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity |
| 9:00am | Opening | |
| Welcome and NICHI Update | ||
| Health Break | ||
| NICHI URN Strategy | ||
| 12:00pm | Lunch | |
| What We Heard Report | ||
| Emerging Priorities | ||
| Health Break | ||
| NICHI Housing Recognition Awards and Elder and Youth Councils | ||
| Interactive Polling | ||
| Recap | ||
| 4:00pm | Closing |
*Note: All sessions and meals will be hosted by NICHI.
Travel Reimbursement
If a NICHI member requires reimbursement for travel related to this one-day event, please click here to access the travel reimbursement form.
Questions
If you are interested in becoming a NICHI member, please click here or email info@nichihousing.com for assistance.
For questions about the event, please contact: events@nichihousing.com
Disclaimer
The organizers of this conference are dedicated to fostering an environment where every attendee, speaker, volunteer, and staff member feels safe, respected, and valued. We believe that mutual respect is fundamental to productive dialogue, collaboration, and learning. All participants have the right to be treated with courtesy, empathy, and consideration, regardless of background, identity, or role within the conference. Disrespectful behaviour-including but not limited to verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination-will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Individuals found to be in breach of these standards may face a range of consequences, including temporary or permanent removal from conference activities.