How can I participate in this year’s conference?
Our 2024 conference includes in-person events and limited livestreamed events. In-person attendees can register for the full conference pass online or individual events by calling the SWG Office at 306-791-7740. Three events will be livestreamed to an online audience for free – you can register for the Zoom links on our Livestreamed 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 includes all in-person events AND parking at the DoubleTree Hotel for the price of: $240 SWG members, $280 non-members, $120 students (post-secondary/high school/elementary).
Full Conference Pass
Your pass includes:
- Your choice of concurrent workshop and panels listed below
- Friday Stories Under a Living Sky Showcase + John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Poetry ceremony
- Saturday Breakfast
- AGM
- Lunch & Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture with Lorna Crozier
- Fast Friends
- Community Stage Open Mic & Social
- Parking in the covered parkade at the Doubletree for both Friday and Saturday (reduced conference pass rates are available if you do not require parking)
As well as your choice of the following concurrent event options:
Saturday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm workshops:
- “Beyond the Reflection” Fiction with Anne Lazurko
- “Looking-Glass Selves” Poetry with Medrie Purdham
Saturday 2:30-3:45 pm panels:
- Imagination’s Looking Glass with Bev Brenna, Heather O’Watch, Sharon Plumb and host Elaine McArthur
- “Clearing the Smoke and Mirrors: On Writing Hard Topics and Caring for Our Mental Wellness” with Peace Akintade-Oluwagbeye, Suzy Krause, Iryn Tushabe and host Rhea McFarlane
Saturday 4:00-5:15 pm panels:
- “Mirror Image: How Poetry Reflects and Distorts” with Lorna Crozier, Bob Currie, Courtney Bates-Hardy and host Michael Trussler
- “Beyond the Black Mirror: Society and Genre Fiction’s Influence” with Garry Thomas Morse, Heather Polischuk, Jes Battis and host Marie Powell
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..
Please note that if you book a guest room at the DoubleTree, parking is included with your room. In that case, please do not buy a conference pass with parking as it will already be provided for you.
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 livestreamed events will include:
Friday Events:
- 7:00 pm – Opening of 2024 Conference with Stories Under a Living Sky
- 8:00 pm - John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Poetry ceremony & reception
Saturday Events:
- 1:00 pm – Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture “Who is the Woman in the Mirror” with Lorna Crozier
You can find the Zoom registration links here. The Heath Lecture video will be available on the SWG’s Youtube channel for 30 days after the conference and the Friday evening 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 – Opening of 2024 Conference with Stories Under a Living Sky
- 8:00 pm - John V Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Poetry ceremony & reception
Saturday Events:
- 7:00 pm Fast Friends Building Connection reception
- 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. Book drop offs can be made Friday October 25 starting at 6:00 pm or by making prior arrangements with Guild staff. Unsold books must be picked up by Saturday Oct 26 between 6:30-8:00 pm.
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 ($159/king plus taxes). Please book your room directly with the DoubleTree Hotel by calling 1-306-525-6767 by September 25, 2024. Availability is not guaranteed after this date. Parking is included in DoubleTree guest room rates so if you are staying at the hotel during the conference, you do not need to buy a conference pass that includes parking.
Do I get mileage reimbursement?
SWG members who attend the AGM on Saturday Oct 26 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 automated doors. Our events will take place on the first and second level which is accessible via elevator or by stairs. There are two stairs with a handrail to climb before entering the Swift Current room. There is also a wheelchair lift at this entrance. The rooms will be set up with moveable chairs and tables spaced to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility aids. Nearby 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 both the full conference pass.
