Banquet & Awards
Take part in the formal wrap up of WIUGC 2026, join us for an evening of food, stories, and announce the winners of our awards, as we bring the conference to a close.
The banquet takes place upstairs at the University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB.
Cocktail Hour
Join us for a fun chance to network at the cocktail hour before the banquet.
The cocktail hour takes place upstairs at the University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB.
Field Trips
Participate in a guided tour of either the Manitoba Museum or the Manitoba Geological Survey!
Meet 9:00 am at the Wallace Building on the University of Manitoba Campus (125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB), before departure.
Transportation to and from the location will be provided.
VW’s Social
Meet up after a productive day at the conference at the VW’s social club for an evening of fun!
Conveniently located right on the University of Manitoba campus, upstairs at University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M5
Challenge Bowl
The CSEG-Foundation Challenge Bowl is an action-packed geoscience quiz game for geological and geophysical CSEG student members. (Student membership in the CSEG is free of charge.)
This intense competition is a fast-paced Jeopardy-style game where two-member teams attempt to buzz in with answers to challenging geoscience questions. The contest is a short-answer, multiple-choice quiz on topics in the geosciences (geology, geophysics, geography, geodesy, and environmental sciences). All geoscience students are encouraged to participate in this unique event, which combines knowledge, competition, and fun.
Cheer on your favourite team, marvel at their knowledge, and share their enthusiasm! Badger and challenge your host, John Duhault, from the CSEG in Calgary. The prize for this year’s winning team is $750 CAD for each team member to attend the Canadian Challenge Bowl Finals at GeoConvention 2026 in Calgary, Alberta, on May 13 th , 2026.
The 2025 Canadian Challenge Bowl winning team, “Faulty Logic,” consisted of Tegan Potvin and Callum Houston from the University of Calgary. They went on to compete in the SEG Challenge 2025 Bowl World Finals. The 2026 Challenge Bowl World finals will be held in the last week of August 2026 at IMAGE in Houston, Texas.
This event is free to attend, and there is no registration fee for teams. Team registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register promptly to secure your spot. We look forward to seeing you compete with enthusiasm!
The event will take place upstairs at University Center on the University of Manitoba Campus (65 Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, MB)
Industry Fair & Posters
The WIUGC Industry Fair connects geoscience students with a wide range of academic, professional, and industry organizations from across Western Canada. This event provides a valuable opportunity to explore career pathways, build connections, and engage with leaders in the geoscience field.
Attendees will have the chance to interact with:
Government geological surveys showcasing current research and initiatives
Professional associations offering guidance on licensure and career development (e.g., P.Geo., P.Eng.)
Industry exhibitors from the mining, energy, and environmental sectors
Poster presentations from those attending and presenting current research and innovations
The Industry Fair will be held on campus at in the Wallace Building at the University of Manitoba, 125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB
Whether you're seeking employment, exploring graduate studies, or looking to grow your professional network, the WIUGC Industry Fair offers a welcoming and informative space to connect with the geoscience community.
Lunch Break
Please note, there is no lunch provided, feel free to order or grab lunch at:
GPA’s at University Centre
Fresh Food Company at Pembina Hall
Be sure to return for the Industry Fair and Poster competition!
Technical Talks
Join us for a series of informative talks from a number of industry veterans, experienced academics and more, alongside a panel discussion!
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM — Welcome
9:20 AM – 9:40AM — Muditha Goonetilleke (University of Manitoba)
9:40AM – 10:00AM — Andrew Frederiksen (University of Manitoba)
10:00AM – 10:30AM — Panel discussion
Chris Fozard (Geominex Consultants Inc.)
Kai Roberts (Grid Metals Corp.)
Dylan Sawatzky (Cenovus Energy)
Ricardo Silva (University of Manitoba)
10:30AM – 11:00AM — Coffee break
11:00AM – 11:20AM — Derek Drayson (University of Manitoba)
11:20AM – 11:40AM — Ricardo Silva (University of Manitoba)
11:40AM – 12:00PM — Addison Pennie (PDAC)
The talks will take place in room 223 on the main floor of the Wallace building at 125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB.
Rock Breaker Social
Start WIUGC 2026 off right with RockBreaker, the conference’s official icebreaker event. This social evening at the Four Points by Shearaton Winnipeg South is designed to bring together geoscience students from across Western Canada in a relaxed and welcoming setting—before the technical talks, field trips, and industry events begin.
Whether you're new to WIUGC or returning to reconnect with peers and professionals, RockBreaker is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow delegates, spark new friendships, and grow your network. Expect great food, engaging conversation, and a lively atmosphere that sets the tone for the exciting days ahead.
Break the ice. Build connections. Start WIUGC 2026 strong.
Join us at: Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg South, 2935 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB, in the Stadium Lounge.
Short Course – Geophysical Applications
Introduction to Applied Geophysics for Earth Scientists WIUGC 2026
Geoscience Fundamentals with Case Histories
Legacy, Values, and Ethics
This course has six sections. The first section will introduce the learner to some geophysical fundamentals necessary to understand the case histories. Each case history will illustrate a geoscience application for solving an oil field, mining, or CCS development problem. The learner will start to understand which technical tool best solves their project’s business problem.
The course is designed to identify a specific operational problem and to provide an integrated geophysical or geological tool to help solve it. The course will encompass such topics as:
Seismic Fundamentals
Datums - Mis-located leases
Oil and Gas Drilling Hazards
Mine Tailings and Sinkhole Hazards
Visualization and Interpretation of seismic data
How to succeed financially in a Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) project
You are your Future: Legacy, Values, and Ethics
The case histories clearly illustrate the critical role of integrated geological, geophysical, and engineering data in the project’s success.
The course is ideal for geoscience Uni students, geoscience grads, and their professors who wish to be knowledgeable about the latest geoscience technologies applicable to the hydrocarbon, water and mining industries. The case histories provide the learner with a qualitative learning experience without the fear of needing to understand the mathematical details.
The talk takes place in room 223 on the main floor of the Wallace Building at the University of Manitoba, 125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB.
Registration and Reception
Come and get checked in for the event, to get started with WIUGC 2026!
You can find the registration desk inside the Wallace Building on the University of Manitoba Campus, 125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB.