Activate is a gathering on Cortes Island, BC where organizers, strategists and storytellers across movements connect and learn from each other about what is working, what’s not and how we can work together towards winning progressive change.
We’re living through a time of overlapping crises: rising inequality, democratic instability, climate crisis, and growing social divides. But across North America, organizers are still winning big progressive victories.
Activate brings together the people building those victories.
For five days on Cortes Island, participants will gather to share hard-earned lessons, learn from successful campaigns, build meaningful relationships, and develop strategies for the challenges ahead.
This year’s gathering will focus on:
Join us to explore what transformative solidarity looks like in practice and how we build the power needed to win together.
Fill out the form and our team will help answer your questions:
Re-inspire your work, and be challenged by new ideas. World-class leaders will share game-changing secrets from their winning campaigns and engage directly with fellow participants with:
We are living through an affordability crisis amidst global democratic upheaval and climate chaos. When rent, food, and job security are on the line, movements need to speak to people’s real lives and offer practical paths forward. People’s values haven’t changed, but their priorities have.
Join us to ground yourself, find clarity, and fight through the fog of fear.
Gain insights from leading strategists, campaigners, and organizers, including:
We need a diversity of voices in the room. To address economic barriers and ensure frontline community leaders can participate, Hollyhock offers a limited number of scholarships.
Apply for a Scholarship by June 30, 2026: Learn more about scholarships and apply here.
Across the country and beyond, organizers are still winning: union drives, elections, narrative battles, and fundraising campaigns. In this plenary, campaign leaders break down how they won, what strategy worked, and how to tailor their winning tactics for your personal context.
UFCW 1518
Shanyn Elliot, Air Canada Component of CUPE
Tessa Simonds, Managing Director of Blue State
Harvey McKinnon, President Harvey McKinnon Associates
How app-based workers organized in a fragmented, high-turnover workplace, and what this campaign teaches us about organizing in precarious work and the gig economy.
An inside look at a major national labour action and what it takes to win in a high-stakes bargaining fight.
A behind-the-scenes look at the strategy and digital organizing that powered a winning mayoral campaign.
How a national advocacy campaign mobilized public support, influenced decision-makers, and built a broad coalition to defend public media.
Leading Through Backlash, Burnout, and Political Change
We are living through DEI backlash, rising authoritarianism, and growing economic pressure. This plenary centers the experience of leaders navigating this moment while building movements, organizations, and power for the long term
AI is already changing campaigning, communications, and organizing workflows. This session explores practical ways your organization can use AI tools for content, research, targeting, and automation- and where human strategy still matters most.
Let’s stop giving Zuckerberg our campaign dollars! This session explores how campaigns can reach audiences across emerging platforms and diversify beyond traditional social media channels in a rapidly shifting social media landscape.
Coalitions are essential to winning campaigns — but they are also complicated. This workshop explores how to build coalitions, navigate competing priorities, manage conflict, and create partnerships that actually win campaigns.
The algorithm is non-partisan; it just wants eyeballs. Discover the latest research about how fake content gets traction on Youtube, and how progressive movements can compete.
Winning doesn’t just require good messaging, it requires good conversations. This session explores persuasion, deep canvassing, and how to talk to people who don’t already agree with you, including neighbours, coworkers, and community members.
Deep canvassing is one of the most effective tools for persuasion and movement building. Learn how structured, empathetic conversations can reduce polarization and move people on difficult issues in a time of epic divides.
Juhi Sohani, Action Co-Lab
Grow your network and forge genuine connections with like-minded campaigners and advocates who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge, and lifting one another up.
We particularly invite anyone who:
The producers and advisory team behind Activate are movement leaders and strategists, curating the conversations and speakers that matter most.
Package Pricing: You can view availability of accommodations and rates on our Registration Page.
Learn more about our accommodation types here.
Your all-inclusive campus rates include:
Get Organizational Support – Pitch It to Your Team
Many organizations already budget for consultants and external training-why not Activate? If you want your workplace to support your attendance, Pitch Activate to Your Team: Here’s Why It’s Worth the Investment [email template]
Let us handle the logistics. Travel to Hollyhock hassle-free with the Activate Participant Charter. With pickups in Vancouver and Nanaimo, you’ll ride in comfort, connect with fellow participants, and take in the beauty of the journey. Your trip wraps up with a 30-minute boat ride across the Salish Sea—keep an eye out for whales, seals, and eagles.
If you’d prefer to organize your own travel to and from Hollyhock, check out our Travel Directions page for suggested options and costs.
We want everyone to feel fully present and supported at Activate. Learn more about accessibility at Hollyhock or reach out to [email protected] for any specific needs.
Hollyhock recognizes that economic opportunity is not currently equal. Our scholarship program is one of our key strategies to expand program access to underrepresented and marginalized communities. A limited number of scholarships are available with awards ranging from partial to full tuition
We encourage applicants from those whose identities intersect with, but are not limited to: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, newcomers, youth, and elders
Scholarships are open! You can apply here – applications close June 30, 2026.
“I recommend Activate to anyone looking to recharge, find community, and reconnect with their values or their sense of purpose and agency. You will leave transformed.” – Kate Catherall, Founder and Principal, Slow Clap & Co-founder and Board Chair, Arena
“Activate Hollyhock was like a week of masterclasses in life. The knowledge and skills I gained were invaluable. I’m taking home a refreshed mindset, a deeper understanding of the world, and a notebook full of ideas. This is education re-imagined.”
