Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Does the 2026 Conference have a specific theme and title?

People, Purpose, and the Power of Gathering.

The BCMA 2026 Conference in Nanaimo moves beyond dialogue to collective impact. Centered on our core values of Bravery, Accountability, and Innovation, we celebrate the People who power our sector, reconnect with our shared Purpose to help make sense of the world, and harness the Power of Gathering to spark transformative change. Join us as we turn Kind Words into brave action for a more just and connected future.

 

Will there be a call for presenters?

Yes! There will be a call for presenters. More information will be available soon. 

 

Is there a schedule available?

We will regularly update the schedule on our website as we confirm events and locations. Please see the schedule page for more details.

 

When is registration open?

Registration will open February 13, 2026.  Registration for the 2026 Conference will close on August 31, 2026.

 

How can I make the registration process easy for myself and other employees?

Keeping your membership information updated is a simple way to ensure you can register with ease. Firstly, ensure you can log into your member portal and that your membership is active and not nearing expiry. Be sure your profile is updated with accurate information and the appropriate email address.

For an institutional member, ensure that any employee seats are assigned to the employees you will be registering on behalf of. If you are registering multiple people, make sure you have their information, including the spelling of their names, their email addresses, and their accessibility and dietary needs.

Learn more about your membership category and benefits, including employee seats, here. Log in to your member portal here.

You can contact members@museum.bc.ca with any questions about your membership status.

 

What ticket options are available for the Conference?

We are offering the following options for registration:

Early Bird Ticket: Early Bird tickets will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. This rate is for members only.

General Ticket: This is the members-only ticket available after Early Bird tickets sell out. 

Subsidized Ticket: A limited number of subsidized tickets are intended for members of IBPOC communities who are underemployed, Emerging Museum Professionals (EMPs), or attendees who will be paying out of pocket to attend the conference and are not receiving financial support from their organization for the trip. These tickets are booked on an honour system, and we ask those who can pay the full price do so to support the costs of organizing conferences and enable their underemployed or emerging peers to attend with a subsidized ticket.

Non-Member Ticket: Conference Registration for non-BCMA Members. 

Single-day Tickets: To be announced as space allows and after the schedule is confirmed. No member discounts will be applied to single-day tickets.

A Gala event will be included in all conference registrations with the exception of Single-day tickets. Guest tickets for the Gala will be made available at a later date.

Pre-Conference Workshops are yet to be confirmed, but will be announced at a later date.

 

I am registering for the Conference, but when I select the member rate, it switches to the non-member rate / I cannot see the member rate listed. Why?

You can only access the member rate if you have an up-to-date membership and have logged in with the email address you registered for your membership under. If you are seeing the rate change at registration from the member rate to the standard rate, or cannot see the member rates, you have not logged in using your registered email address. Try an alternate email address, or contact us at members@museum.bc.ca to confirm which email address your membership is held with.

 

What if I need to cancel my conference registration?

1. Registration(s) may be cancelled for a full refund until August 31, 2026
2. Registration(s) can be transferred* to another delegate until October 20, 2026

The easiest way to cancel your registration is to log in to your member portal, select “my event registrations,” and withdraw/remove your registration. This will ensure that the fee is reimbursed via your payment method. If you have issues with that process, please contact us at bcma@museum.bc.ca

*Delegates who are unable to attend the conference after the drop date may transfer their registration to another individual by modifying their registration in the registration portal. For assistance with transfers, please contact us at bcma@museum.bc.ca. The original registration rate will transfer to the new attendee. If you also purchased workshops or gala tickets, you will need to complete this for each event registered. Transfer requests will be accepted up until October 20, 2026. Dietary restrictions cannot be guaranteed to be honoured this close to the event. 

 

Will conference bursaries be offered to support travel costs?

The goal of bursaries and subsidies is to provide funding for members and delegates from historically underrepresented groups and those needing additional support to access the event. We hope to provide bursaries for 2026. Please stay tuned as we seek funding for this opportunity. 

 

Can you share any details about travel options, accommodation, and the host community?

Information on hotels and travel discounts, and our host community can be found on our Getting Around page.

 

Can you provide more information on the venue and accessibility of the event?

We aim to provide you with accurate and helpful information on physical accessibility, way-finding, accommodations for visually and hearing-impaired people, sensory considerations, washrooms, etc. Please let us know of any accessibility needs during the registration process by filling out the form provided.

The Vancouver Island Conference Centre is committed to equal access for all. They have wheelchair services, as well as accessible doorways, walkways, elevators, washrooms, and parking. The facility complies with all federal, provincial, and local accessibility regulations and laws, and upholds the rights of people with disabilities.

If you have specific concerns and would like to discuss them with us, please email us.

We are asking that attendees not wear perfumes, colognes, or scented products to help create a more neutral space for those with scent sensitivities.

 

Will you implement a code of conduct for the 2026 Conference?

Yes, we are asking all attendees to agree to the code of conduct during the registration process and adhere to it during the Conference. We are working to update our code of conduct. 

 

What happens if something cannot go ahead as planned?

In the event of changes to the schedule or format of the gathering (due to illness, wildfires, or other unforeseen circumstances), we will do our best to offer an alternate setup for sessions. This may include remote speakers, smaller panels or rescheduling sessions for a later date.

 

What meals are included in my event registration?

The schedule will outline which events will offer food and drinks, and we kindly ask delegates to support local food businesses for the meals that are not provided.

Please let us know of any dietary needs during the registration process by filling out the form provided at registration.