UBCM is delighted to be delivering another Convention from September 14th - 17th for #UBCM21.
Many of you participated in our first fully online Convention last year. We all learned a great deal about navigating virtual event platforms. We’re gathering a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ’s] based on the many repeat questions and requests that our Delegates, Sponsors and Speakers posed last year.
If you still can’t find the answer to your question below, please email convention@ubcm.ca and one of our convention support team members will reach out to assist you as soon as they are able.
Check back often as we’ll continually update this resource page with new detail.
General Information
Our agenda will feature a diverse array of exciting sessions featuring special speaker presentations, workshops, our Keynote speaker (Rick Mercer), Cabinet Town Halls, Resolution sessions, and dynamic sponsor exhibits. Our Convention program is always evolving, our current agenda is available here.
UBCM will be using the event platform, Pheedloop, for the second year in a row. Returning delegates will be familiar with this user-friendly and highly rated event platfrom.
All registered delegates will be able to login, participate, and view the live sessions as they happen from September 14th - 17th. Registered delegates will also have access to the recordings of each session in the virtual library for up to six months post-Convention.
The Convention registration fee has been priced on a per-person basis. We do not encourage sharing a registration. To fully participate in the UBCM Convention and make your voice count, you will need to have an individual login and password. Only those with individual logins will be able to participate in the chat boxes, Q&A sessions with speakers, vote in the Election, Annual General Meeting, and debate and vote during Resolutions. We understand that some members may wish to view the Convention plenaries together, and we have provided some best practices to make both arrangements possible.
Registration
Convention registration officially opens Monday, July 5, 2021. The only way to register for the 2021 UBCM Convention is to complete the online form available on the Registration tab under the 2021 Convention menu on ubcm.ca.
Convention rates for UBCM members are $475 per person, and the rate for individuals from non-member organizations is $500. The online registration form, payment options, cancellation policy and more relevant details will be posted July 5th on the Registration tab found under “Convention and Awards” on ubcm.ca.
UBCM accepts Visa and MasterCard payments. Payment is required to complete your registration. Login credentials will not be forwarded until your credit card has successfully processed.
Each registered delegate will receive a unique login ID and password connected to the email address they register with. There will be a direct link to the virtual Convention "Lobby" in the email, as well as a link posted to the Convention webpage when it is live.
UBCM will refund 100% if you have to cancel by August 6, 2021. There will be a 50% refund if you cancel between August 7th - 20th and no refund thereafter. Future registration credits are not available.
Resolutions
You can find the Resolutions Book on the website as well as the full outline of procedures for the 2021 resolutions process.
170 resolutions were submitted for the 2021 Convention.
Amendments proposed in advance of Convention will be considered for Special Resolutions and to pull a resolution from the Endorse Block and Not Endorse Block of resolutions. The full outline of how to make amendments is included here. The deadline to receive proposed amendments to a Special Resolution is 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 14. The deadline to propose pulling a resolution from one of the Blocks in noon on Friday, September 10.
Once you have registered for the Convention you will be given a login and password for both the Convention platform as well as the Simply Voting portal. During the resolutions session you will be advised to login to Simply Voting to cast your vote as each resolution is introduced. As a registered voting member you will also have the opportunity to call in and debate the relevant resolutions during the live session. A demonstration of this process will be made available to members closer to the Convention.
The resolutions are scheduled in two three-hour session blocks on Wednesday, September 15th (9:00am - 12:00pm) and Thursday, September 16th (9:00am - 12:00pm).
You can find the full Convention program here.
No, like our in-person Convention, you must be a registered local government election official to debate and vote during the resolutions session.
UBCM recommends voting members review the Virtual UBCM Resolutions Process guide prior to Convention.
Policy Book 1
In addition to resolutions, policy papers are another method UBCM employs to establish a broader comprehensive policy approach on issues. Policy Book 1 includes two policy papers that will be considered at the upcoming UBCM Convention:
- Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency – Today’s Recovery and Tomorrow’s New Economy – Report of the Select Committee on Local Government Finance.
- Primer on Climate Action and the Municipal Pension Plan
You can find Policy Book 1 here.
The Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency - Today's Recovery and Tomorrow's Economy policy paper will be considered in the morning on Wednesday, September 15th. The Primer on Climate Action and the Municipal Pension Plan will be considered on the morning of Thursday, September 16th as part of the Resolutions / Policy sessions.
Elections
Elections will begin on Tuesday, September 14th at 10:30am and close on Wednesday, September 15th at 12:00 noon.
For 2021, the positions open for election are the position of Second Vice-President and for Director at Large.
You must be registered for the 2021 UBCM Convention to vote in the election. A week prior to Convention beginning you will be sent a login and password for the Convention platform and Simply Voting. An Election tab will be provided in the platform with a link directly to the ballots in Simply Voting.
Yes. Candidates will record 2-minute video speeches which can be viewed on the platform from Tuesday, September 14 at 9:00am to Wednesday, September 15 at 12:00 noon.
The Nominating Committee Report provides information on all candidates, including those running for election.
Gamification
Delegates will search throughout the platform, watch for notifications, social media posts, or engage with Exhibitors in their virtual booths to collect ‘spot codes’. Delegates then navigate to the left-hand menu in the Convention Lobby to the [Gamification] tab, enter the spot ‘CODE’ and click to “Claim Points”. Watch everyone’s point totals grow! The more Delegates engage and search, the more points they’ll earn. Delegates work their way up the leaderboard for a chance to win great prizes! (Prizes supplied by sponsors and UBCM). To see where all delegates stand in the leaderboard, click the “Leaders” button. Point values vary and each code can only be entered once.
The UBCM Virtual Scavenger Hunt officially OPENS Thursday, September 9th. Delegates will be able to start entering CODES into the [Gamification] tab. The Gamification officially CLOSES at 8:30am, Friday, September 17th. Delegates must enter their CODES before 8:30am for their points to qualify.
On Friday, September 17th, starting at 8:30am, Delegates can visit the [Gamification] tab and click to select, claim and redeem available prizes with the points they’ve accumulated. Prizes will be redeemed on a first-come, first claimed basis. Delegates that have successfully redeemed their points for prizes, will be notified by email. Prizes redeemed by Delegates will be published in the post-Convention Convention Bulletin as well as listed in the FAQ under Gamification on ubcm.ca.
The ‘Spot Code’ or CODE is typically capitalized with no spaces (numbers may also be used). [Hint] Exhibitors are a great location for Delegates to ‘spot’ CODE’s. Some exhibitors may have hidden their CODE within their virtual booth. Some exhibitors expect you to reach out via chat to ask them for their unique CODE directly. It’s fun and designed to encourage everyone to network and connect!
Gamification open to official 2021 UBCM Convention Delegates only. Sponsor’s, Exhibitors, Provincial Government and UBCM staffs and all associated event vendors are not eligible to win or redeem prizes. CODE:FAQ3.