Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada

Emergence: Orchestras Canada’s National Conference 2023

You’ve probably already heard: Our National Conference is coming back this year, and we couldn’t be more excited!

We invite orchestra administrators, conductors, educators, musicians, and other industry professionals to join us! The live edition, co-hosted by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, will take place in the vibrant city of Hamilton, Ontario, from May 3 to 5, 2023, with some sessions available by live-streaming and on-demand through an online platform, and a pre-conference virtual plenary session.

City skyline of Hamilton, Canada at sunset with orange and blue sky.

Orchestras Canada’s 2023 National Conference – titled Emergence – aims to support attendees as they engage with, generate and test promising ideas about the future of orchestras. We’ll offer an array of learning experiences and formats, including a road trip to the Woodland Cultural Centre at the Six Nations of the Grand River on day 1, a full day of presentations, breakouts and discussions at the Hamilton Convention Centre (HCC) on day 2, and a facilitated scenario planning session on our closing half-day, also at the HCC. We will be offering a selection of those sessions to our online registrants.

We’re building the program around the following themes:

  • Concert programming and presentation formats
  • Philanthropic trends
  • The future of government funding
  • Demographic trends
  • Inclusive governance and leadership
  • Orchestras as a workplace
  • Eco-responsibility
  • Digital trends in marketing and content sharing
  • The role of orchestras in the musical ecosystem

In addition to the conference’s professional development opportunities, attendees will also have the chance to explore the city of Hamilton, known for its rich culture, diverse neighbourhoods, and beautiful waterfront.

Orchestras Canada’s National Conference is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the orchestral community in Canada and beyond. It will be a great opportunity for professionals to connect, learn, and grow.

Interested in joining? Early bird registration for the in-person experience will open in mid-February! Online-only tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Overview

When: May 3, 4 and 5, 2023

Where: Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s. Address: 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y2 (Limited spots available in-person)

Bilingual Event: Simultaneous French-English interpretation will be available for plenary sessions, both in-person and online

Hybrid Event: Some sessions available by live-streaming and on-demand through an online platform. Registration for online-only will open at a later date.

Accessibility: Automatic AI-generated closed captions will be available at the live-streamed sessions. For more information about accessibility at the event venue, click here.

Dark text on light background says 'Emergence Congrès National Conference 2023, Hamilton, ON, 3-5 May/Mai 2023'

 

Conference Rates

RATES
Early Bird Before March 26th
After March 26
OC Member/Associate $500.00 $625.00
OC Member/Associate from a smaller budget orchestra (annual revenues under $400,000) $400.00 $500.00
Additional Registrant from a member organization $400.00 $500.00
Musician from a member orchestra (where a non-musician has also registered) $165.00 $200.00
Online Access TBA TBA
Non-Member/Associate $600.00 $750.00
  • Please note that the prices above don’t include HST (13%) & transaction fees (1.9%).
  • The prices above are for the full conference (2.5 days).
  • Early Bird registration will open in mid-February.

Discounted Hotel Rate

We have secured a special rate at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel ($189 to $229 CAD + taxes and fees), which is just across the street from the Conference venue (Hamilton Convention Centre).

You can access this rate if you book by March 26, 2023, through this link.

Address: 116 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8P 4V3

Travel Discounts

We have secured discounted travel prices from Westjet and Via Rail! You can take advantage of special rates on flights and train tickets.

  • Westjet: 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel to Toronto, from April 6th, 2023 to May 12th, 2023, using the code 6W1W5SH
  • Via Rail: 10% off the best available fare in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus, Sleeper class for travel from all stations throughout the VIA system to Toronto ON and return, from May 1st, 2023 to May 08th, 2023 using the code 14371

Sponsorship

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor of our conference? Please contact Boran Zaza at [email protected] for more information and to purchase a sponsorship.