FAQ  | ACT II  JOINT CONFERENCE

COVID safety

It is our top priority to offer a safe and enjoyable conference for all and to send you home brimming with ideas and inspiration. In addition to following all local health orders and policies of our host venues, we are implementing additional safety measures to protect the most vulnerable among us. Should local health orders or policies change in a way that affects your registration (i.e. capacity limit decrease), we will be in touch with delegates about a change of plans.

If you are feeling ill (COVID symptoms or otherwise), please do not attend the conference. Please consider taking a rapid test before traveling to Victoria for the conference. The symptoms of COVID-19 have evolved, here is a look at the most recent list of symptoms.

If you experience symptoms of illness during the conference, please inform the organizing team and return to your accommodation. If you develop COVID symptoms up to 10 days after you return home, please get in touch with us via email so we can inform other attendees of a possible exposure.

Masks

Free N95 masks and rapid tests are available on-site for all delegates and presenters. We ask delegates to wear a mask in any indoor setting except when consuming food or drinks. Speakers will wear masks except when on stage or presenting.

Capacity

The number of attendees will be capped at 150 people due to capacity limitations at our local venues and in an effort to limit the risks associated with the COVID pandemic.

Code of conduct

For the full code of conduct for the Conference, please head to this page. Please note that all delegates will be asked to agree to the code of conduct during the registration process.

Cultural Support Liaison 

In an effort to provide a brave space for our delegates, the BCMA will introduce designated and identifiable Cultural Support Liaisons before and throughout the in-person events. These individuals will be available to hold space and talk with delegates at any point to process sensitive situations and difficult emotions that may arise during the conference. Cultural Support Liaisons will be introduced to conference attendees at the start of each day and they will be included on the conference website with a photo.

Location

Our conference will take place in person on Lekwungen Territory in Victoria over several days. We do not have a conference hotel. Learning sessions, social events, workshops and evening events will be hosted by local venue partners from the cultural heritage sector. We are pleased to partner with the Royal BC Museum, the Maritime Museum of BC, Carr House, the Bateman Gallery, Chinese Canadian Museum, Victoria Arts Council, UVic Legacy Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and Craigdarroch Castle who will welcome you into their spaces.

Please visit this page from the City of Victoria for some helpful information on parking.

For more information on our venues and some recommendations on hotel accommodation, please head to our “Getting Around” page.

Accessibility

Please note that we are currently working on complete descriptions of the accessibility of our venues. We are connecting with all of our local partners to provide you with accurate and helpful information on physical accessibility, way-finding, accommodations for visually and hearing-impaired people, sensory considerations, washrooms etc. You can find that information continually updates on our “Getting Around” page. We are also asking that attendees not wear perfumes or colognes to help create a more neutral space for those with scent sensitivities.

BCMA staff member Leia Patterson is our Accessibility Liaison for Conference. Leia will be the on-site contact for any questions and concerns around accessibility, and she will be introduced to conference attendees at the start of each day so she is easy to find. Her goal is to help meet your needs as best we can. If delegates have any questions around conference accessibility or would like to share their needs, please email Leia at engagement@museum.bc.ca She looks forward to connecting with folks!

Food

In an effort to limit the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are limiting mealtimes for delegates. The schedule details which events will offer food and drinks and we kindly ask delegates to support local Victoria food business for the meals that are not provided. Venues for learning sessions and workshops will offer water, tea, and coffee unless stated otherwise.

The food provided will be vegetarian. Please let us know of any dietary needs during the registration process by filling out the form provided.

Pricing & discounts

Similar to previous events, we are offering different discounts on conference registration. BCMA and Heritage BC members benefit from a special member rate and there are subsidized tickets available. Early-bird rates are in effect between September 1 and September 19.

Subsidized tickets

The following individuals are encouraged to register using a subsidized ticket:

• Students interested in the culture and heritage sector,
• IBPOC culture and heritage professionals and other equity-seeking individuals,
• Unemployed/underemployed culture and heritage professionals,
• Emerging professionals who have worked in the sector for less than ten (10) years

Bursaries

In addition to different rates, we are pleased to offer a limited number of bursaries to offset travel and accommodation costs for delegates from out of town. Please visit our bursaries page for more information.

Refunds

Full refunds are available until October 10, 2022. Registrations received after October 10, 2022 are non-refundable.

Delegates who are unable to attend Conference 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 and any event tickets purchased will transfer to the new attendee. Transfers are possible up until October 31, 2022.