How can I participate in this year’s conference?
Our 2026 conference includes in-person events and limited live-streamed/recorded events. In-person attendees can register for the full conference pass through our website or by calling the SWG Office at 306-791-7740. Folks interested in single-event passes can contact our Office to register and pay. Two events will be livestreamed to an online audience for free – you can register for the Zoom links on our Live-streamed Events webpage. All in-person and online attendees will receive links to the event videos after the conference.
How much are registration fees, and what is included?
A full conference pass includes all in-person events for the price of: $215 SWG members, $250 non-members, $100 students (post-secondary/high school/elementary).
SWG Members enjoy an early bird registration rate of $200 before September 15.
Full Conference Pass
Your pass includes access to all events:
- All craft talks and panels
- Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture with Dr. Jenna Butler
- John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Literary Nonfiction ceremony
- Saturday Breakfast
- AGM
- Lunch & Onstage Conversation with David Gane and Angie Counios
- Stories Under a Living Sky Showcase
- Community Stage Open Mic & Social
How do I get to the DoubleTree Hotel? Where do I park?
The DoubleTree Hotel is located at 1975 Broad Street. Conference goers who have a full conference pass will receive free parking in the hotel’s covered parkade for both Friday and Saturday. If you do not require parking, please select the conference pass option without parking, which has a reduced rate of $205 for members and $245 for non-members.
The parkade entrance is on Osler Street. Please park and register your vehicle’s licence plate at the hotel registration desk. Parking tickets from the public parking machines are not necessary.
The Double-Tree Hotel is located on Regina transit routes 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 50. Bicycle storage may be available for cyclists (please inquire).
Can I watch any conference events?
Free live-streamed events will include (click on the link for Zoom Registration):
- 7:00 pm – Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture “Wayfinding: Creativity and Community in Hard Times” with Dr. Jenna Butler
- 8:15 pm – John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Literary Nonfiction ceremony
The Heath Lecture will be recorded and available on the SWG’s YouTube channel for 30 days after the conference, and the Friday Hicks Award video links will be emailed to all registered Conference participants or available upon request.
Do I have to be a SWG member to attend the conference?
No. Our conference is open to anyone interested, although our members enjoy a discounted rate.
Are there any free events?
The following events are free and open to the public:
Friday Events:
- 7:00 pm – Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture “Wayfinding: Creativity and Community in Hard Times” with Dr. Jenna Butler
- 8:15 pm – John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Literary Nonfiction ceremony
Saturday Events:
- 7:00 pm Stories Under a Living Sky Showcase
- 8:15 pm Community Stage Open Mic & Social
Can I sell and/or buy books at your conference?
The SWG will operate a book table during the conference, where you can browse and purchase books written by our presenters and members.
If you are a SWG member attending the conference, you are welcome to drop off your authored books for the Guild to sell on consignment. All genres are welcome. Authors receive 90% of the book price. Payment is made after the conference ends.
Book drop-offs can be made on Friday, October 23, starting at 6:00 pm or by making prior arrangements with Guild staff. Unsold books must be picked up by Saturday, October 24, between 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
See the Book Table page for Consigning Authors for more information.
If I would like to stay at the DoubleTree Hotel, how do I book a hotel room?
If you are interested in staying at the DoubleTree Hotel during the conference, the SWG has a block of guest rooms available for a special conference rate ($169/king plus taxes). Please book your room directly with the DoubleTree Hotel by calling 1-306-525-6767 by September 23, 2026. Availability is not guaranteed after this date.
Do I get mileage reimbursement?
SWG members who attend the AGM on Saturday, Oct 24, can submit a travel expense claim to get a partial mileage reimbursement for attending the annual AGM at the rate of $.22/km. Please speak to SWG staff about submitting a claim form after the AGM.
Accessibility at the SWG Conference
The DoubleTree Hotel venue is wheelchair accessible. The front entry of the hotel is via automatic opening doors. Our events will take place on the second level, which is accessible via elevator or by stairs. The room will be set up with movable chairs and tables spaced to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility aids. Nearby gendered washrooms are fully wheelchair accessible. All presenters will use a microphone and may have AV props (like powerpoints). Read-along materials will be available in limited sessions. Our presenters and hosts are also encouraged to give self-descriptions.
Free coffee/tea will be offered all weekend, and a free non-alcoholic option will be available during the evening receptions with the cash bar. If you have any dietary allergies or sensitivities and are attending the Saturday breakfast or lunch, please discuss with SWG staff.
Livestreamed and recorded events will include auto captions.
To ensure that the SWG conference is financially accessible to our members and the public, we are offering 4 free events (see list above in “Are there any free events?”) as well as offering SWG members who attend the AGM a partial reimbursement for mileage if a claim form is submitted after the AGM. SWG members and students (high school or postsecondary) also get a reduced rate for the full conference pass.
