CHES 2026 National Conference Companion Program
This program is a two-day adventure for guests of conference delegates. This includes the Sunday Opening Reception, Continental Breakfast on Monday and Tuesday, planned tours on Sunday and Monday. The Monday evening President’s Reception, Banquet and Entertainment are also included in the companion program registration fee.
Companion Program Rates
Full Companion Tour: $565 on or before July 31 / $595 after July 31
*Sunday Only Tour: $242 on or before July 31 / $262 after July 31
*add-on for Delegates to join their Companions on Sunday only
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Boat Tour and Irish Loop Day: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (full day tour)
Embark on a breathtaking journey along Newfoundland’s Irish Loop, where rugged coastal beauty meets rich history and warm hospitality. This tour winds through charming outports, offering stunning ocean vistas, wildlife sightings, and a deep dive into the island’s Irish heritage.
In the morning, a boat tour out of Bay Bulls will start the day with excitement as you visit the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to see the last of the puffins before they head South for the winter. After the boat tour, it’s back to the bus for stops in picturesque communities like Cape Broyle, Tors Cove, and Ferryland.
Guests will enjoy a traditional Newfoundland lunch, while encountering fascinating characters, from friendly fishers and storytellers to artisans preserving the island’s heritage. In Renews, the group will stop at Merrymeeting Arts and Crafts for a shop and visit with a one-of-a-kind character.
With every turn, the Irish Loop promises adventure, history, and unforgettable Newfoundland charm.
Includes:
Transportation
Tour guide
Newfoundland-style lunch
Historical site entrance fees
Barrett & MacKay Photo
Monday, September 21, 2026
Taste of Newfoundland: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (full day tour)
Become acquainted with the city of St. John's and its surroundings. Enjoy the brilliant vistas from Cabot Tower and Signal Hill. Walk through a cliffside World War II gun battery, watch for whales and seabirds, and visit the oldest standing lighthouse in North America.
Next up, your group will head to Cape Spear, the most Easterly point in North America. On the way back from Cape Spear, we will stop at the famous Chafe’s Landing for lunch. Enjoy a traditional and fresh seafood lunch in the picturesque town of Petty Harbour.
After lunch, your group will visit Newman’s Wine Vaults. At Newman’s, your group will try their famous ‘Port ’ , aged on the island since 1679. Port pairs great with chocolate, especially with that from the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, whose love and passion go into every gourmet batch.
Finally, the tour will finish in Quidi Vidi Village, where your group will visit a local craft brewery to try an assortment of their award-winning beers and hear an interpretation of the origins.
Includes:
Tour guide
Transportation
Lunch at Chafe’s Landing
Newman’s Wine Vault: Sample of Port and Newfoundland Chocolate Company chocolate
Quidi Vidi Brewery: Beer tasting
'On the Go’ Shuttle Transportation Sponsor: Victaulic