Join us for the inaugural JABC Youth Leadership Conference, a transformational two-day event designed for high school students who have participated in the JA Company Program.
Event Details
Dates:
Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026
Location:
University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, B.C.
Who can attend:
JA Company Program alumni from the 2024–25 or 2025–26 school year, including in-school and after-school sessions
Cost:
Fully funded accommodation, and meals
Conference Highlights
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Connect with peers and industry professionals
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Gain leadership skills and business knowledge
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Take part in interactive workshops and keynote sessions
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Be inspired to pursue entrepreneurship and leadership pathways
Interested? Please fill out the quick form below to be notified when registration opens.
Please note there is a selection process, and completing the interest form does not guarantee a spot.
Junior Achievement (JA) came into my life at just the right time. I was in Grade 11 at Vancouver’s Killarney High School back in 1958 when I first heard about the JA Company Program.
A few friends and I decided to give it a try – and it turned out to be life-changing. Our student company created a simple but clever product called the “Do All Dolly,” and with the help of our corporate advisors, we learned how to produce, market, and sell it – winning the award for most sales!
What really stood out for me were the JA conferences. They brought together students from all over the Pacific Northwest, giving us the chance to meet, learn from, and be inspired by like-minded young people outside our own schools and communities. Those experiences opened doors for me that I could never have imagined – from studying economics at the University of Washington to earning a PhD at Northwestern University and later becoming Dean of the Business School at the University of Arizona.
That’s why I’m so proud to support the JABC Youth Leadership Conference. It’s an incredible opportunity for today’s students to build connections, develop leadership skills, and discover just how big the world can be when you take that first step beyond your comfort zone – just like I did 68 years ago.
– Kenneth Smith