FOCA Events are an opportunity to network with other waterfront property owners, industry experts, scientists, politicians and lake volunteers.
Members of FOCA’s Member Associations, and our “Friends of FOCA” (Annual Supporters) attend our events for free, or at the discounted FOCA price.
FOCA’s Annual General Meeting and Spring Seminar takes place once a year, usually on the first Saturday of March. We often hold a digital Fall Seminar as well, in October or November. In addition, FOCA hosts other special events throughout the year, such as our Cottage Succession Seminars, and webinars on hot topics.
Want to find out about our events in time to register for them? Get on the FOCA Elert list for updates!
2024 FOCA Fall Seminar: Healthy Shorelines – Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 9am to 12pm by Zoom webinar.
REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT
All registrants will receive a link to the event recording and slides shown, even if you are unable to attend live during the event.
About this seminar: What makes a healthy shoreline, and what puts shoreline health at risk? Join FOCA for a digital seminar about shoreline health with speakers on water quality monitoring, identifying aquatic plants, septic system re-inspections (with thanks to session sponsor, EnVision Consultants), and wild waterfronts: creating greener shores (with thanks to session sponsor Watersheds Canada) .
Also, get an update on FOCA’s new Strategic Plan from the Board Chair, an update on the Lake Partner Program lake reports, and the release of the FOCA Guide to Underwater Plants in Ontario.
Click here to download a 1-page poster with speaker highlights.
$40 members/$70 non-members
Thank you to our session sponsors:
Septic Reinspection Session Sponsor:
Wild Waterfronts Session Sponsor:
Cottage Succession Planning Seminar: Seize the Day or Take Your Time – Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm – a “deep dive” into into timing tips for your family’s succession plan: should you transfer the cottage now, later, gradually or upon death? NOTE: this talk has some overlap in material presented in the “Targeting Tax” and Trust the Cottage” sessions. with FOCA and estate lawyer Peter Lillico.
This Cottage Succession webinar is FREE for FOCA member families, and $30 per person for others, although registration DOES NOT include access to the event recording. Access the registration link from our Cottage Succession webpage.
Past Events of Note:
Tips for the 2024 Ontario Cottage Season – increase your property’s resilience to wildland fire. May 22, 2024 – a one hour “lunch-n-learn webinar” with FOCA and our partners at the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Memories of the 2023 fire season are still close at hand: a record-breaking 741 fires and 441,000 hectares of forests burned (almost three times the 10 year average!). Learn what individuals can do to make waterfront properties more resilient in the face of fire threats. This was a FREE public webinar. Access the event recording from our Fire Safety webpage: https://foca.on.ca/fire-safety/#webinar2024
image: Sioux Lookout, late 2023 fire season from @ONforestfires social media account
2024 FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar for Associations
"Water Matters"
Saturday, March 2, 2024 in-person at the Bayview Golf & Country Club in Thornhill, and by Zoom webinar.
Member Associations were sent an official Notice of Meeting on February 1, 2024, outlining all the business to be conducted in the upcoming meeting.
All paid registrants were sent a link to the event recording. FOCA has also produced a detailed Event Summary, including links to all the slides shown during the event. Members are encouraged to login using the green button at the top of the webpage to access the summary below, and to share it with fellow members:
You're missing members-only content!
The following Event Summary is only available to members of our Member Associations.
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
Thank you to our AGM & Spring Seminar SPONSORS:
Refreshment Sponsor:
Lunch Sponsor:
Event Sponsor:
Connectivity Sponsor:
Download a copy of the Event Agenda (PDF, 1 page). Topics included:
- Property taxation & regional trends in waterfront valuation by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation;
- Boating: new & proposed Transport Canada regulations; 2023 season safety statistics from the OPP Marine Unit;
- Fire safety equipment for rural property safety;
- Land use planning updates affecting rural waterfront communities;
- Association success stories & presentation of the annual FOCA Achievement Award to a member group;
- A celebration of the outgoing Executive Director, and welcoming the incoming CEO!
Images from Past Events:
What attendees had to say, after attending last year’s event:
- “Excellent choice of speakers, always informative regarding FOCA mandate and activities. Very well organized regarding use of Zoom. Good to see what other associations are up to.”
- “Well orchestrated. Excellent content. Very worth the time investment. We are fortunate to have FOCA!”
- “Great opportunity to liaise, update on many topics, and get a feel for the organization and it’s relaxed and humorous nature.”
- “Limiting presentations to 20 minutes was GREAT. No more 90 minute sessions to sit through.”
- “Efficient way to get a lot of information.”
- “Despite attending by Zoom my attention didn’t wander. The sessions were valuable. I would encourage others to attend for the variety of issues covered and the fact that they are all very relevant to our cottage life.”
- “Another great FOCA event. Wonderful presentations by engaging speakers; completely valuable information. Will be sharing this information with our Board and membership! I attended on line and would loved to be there in person. Next time!!! Thank you to FOCA staff and all presenters for a terrific day.”
2023 FOCA Fall Seminar for Associations
Saturday, November 4, 2023 by Zoom webinar. Understanding the Changing State of our Lakes with special guest Dr. John Smol speaking about the nature of our lakes and how they’re changing over time. See a copy of the Event Agenda (download PDF, 1 page) for an overview of the topics discussed.
Members are encouraged to login below to access the full Event Summary including links to all the slide presentations. Be sure to share this with all your fellow members!
You're missing members-only content!
The following Event Summary is only available to members of our Member Associations & current Friends of FOCA (our annual supporters).
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
Celebrating 60 Years of FOCA
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – Thanks for celebrating with us at FOCA’s 60th anniversary celebration event: “CONNECTIONS” – to community, to each other, and to the lake. We came together at the Market Hall in Peterborough, Ontario for this celebration.
See more, including event photos: https://foca.on.ca/60-years/#event
FOCA Cottage Succession Seminars
In 2023 FOCA was thrilled to host a total of 9 events with estate lawyer Peter Lillico, to help nearly 1,000 families start the cottage succession discussion.
Ensure you are subscribed to the FOCA Elert (monthly e-news) for information about the 2024 sessions in this popular series, as dates become known.
These virtual cottage succession events are free to all FOCA Members & Friends of FOCA (our annual supporters)! The event slides are shared with all registrants, but not the recordings, so please plan to attend during the event time.
Want to watch a recording of one of our past sessions? You can purchase access to a digital recording to share with your family, or learn more on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession.
Want more cottage country knowledge? Check out FOCA’s Elerts and Publications & Videos.