Conference Venue

HI-AM 2026 will be co-hosted by the University of Waterloo and the University of Alberta in Banff, Alberta. The event will take place at Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation, located on the campus of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

E7 Building
Photo courtesy of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Address:

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity - Kinnear Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Dr

Banff, AB T1L 1H5 Canada

Events

Conference Dinner


The conference dinner will take place on June 22, 2026, 7-10 pm, at Vista. Dinner tickets can be purchased during the registration process.

Address:

University of Waterloo – Fed Hall
200 University Ave. W.
Waterloo, ON
Canada N2L 3G1


MSAM Lab Tour


A tour of the University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Lab is scheduled for July 22, from 5-6 pm, and on July 24, from 3:30-4:30 pm. The tour is free, but registration is required. Those interested in participating can sign up during the conference registration process.

Address:

Catalyst317, Unit 320
137 Glasgow St.
Kitchener, ON
Canada N2G 4X8

Traveling to Banff

The closest major airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport (YYC), offering direct flights from several Canadian and international cities. The drive from Calgary International Airport to Banff takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Transportation options between the airport and Banff include Banff Airporter, Brewster Express, and other shuttle services, which can be pre-booked through their websites. Visit their sites for detailed fare information and booking policies. Car rental services are also available at Calgary International Airport.

Once in Banff, ROAM Transit is the primary public transportation option, offering routes for getting around town as well as nearby areas such as Canmore and Lake Louise. Please note that downtown Banff is about a 10-minute walk from the conference venue. While taxis are available to reach downtown, there is no shuttle bus service running between Banff Centre and downtown Banff.

Campus Map and Parking

To view a map of the Banff Centre campus, including available parking spaces and accessibility details, please visit the Banff Centre Maps and Directions page. This resource provides comprehensive information to help you navigate the campus and plan your visit effectively.

Complimentary parking is available for conference attendees. If you plan to use the parking facilities, please register your vehicle at the Professional Development Centre front desk. You will receive a parking permit and directions to the designated long-term parking areas.

Visa and Invitation Letter

International attendees may need to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before traveling to Canada. Use the visa requirement tool on the Government of Canada’s website to check if you need a TRV to travel to Canada.

If you require an invitation letter from the HI-AM Conference to support your visa application, please contact us at hiam@uwaterloo.ca  and provide the following information:

  • Full name
  • Mailing address (optional)
  • Email address
  • Nationality
  • Passport number and expiration date (optional)
  • Proof of registration

Invitations will be issued by the University of Waterloo, and in accordance with the university’s guidelines, will only be provided to participants who have completed their registration and paid all applicable fees.

NOTE: The conference is unable to contact or intervene with any embassy or consulate on your behalf.