Connecting Voices Conference

This November, the Canadian Stuttering Association and l'Association bégaiement communication partner to bring Canada’s annual stuttering conference to Montreal. 
 

Our stuttering conferences have always been about connection. Whether it’s your first, second, or 20th conference, you’ll find a community where stuttering is not only accepted but welcomed. During our workshops, keynotes, interactive sessions, open mics, social events, and networking opportunities, it is your time to participate, converse, introduce yourself, and connect. Welcome to our 2024 national stuttering conference: Connecting Voices!

As a person who stutters, you have unique challenges in life. The good news is that meeting, fellowship and learning with those who understand what you are going through can grant a renewed sense of confidence, personal determination and empowerment.  

For families and allies of people who stutter, speech language pathologists, students and researchers, the conference is a chance to connect with the community, learn and share about stuttering and gain a better understanding of its impact on people's lives. For families with children age 6 and up, the youth program is an option.

This November, come and join your voice with ours at our national stuttering conference. We can’t wait to see you there!

The conference schedule is now available! View the Conference Schedule and see the amazing workshops we have lined up for this year's conference.

Keynotes

Bhavna Bakshi

What would you do if you struggled to say your name? Because of her stutter, Bhavna Bakshi faced this harsh truth. She would skip school presentations, stay silent in group discussions, and even use an alias, all to avoid the humiliation of speaking.  

After a decade of these limiting behaviors, Bhavna refused to continue sabotaging her personal and professional growth. She has since documented the strategies she applied to build her confidence and reclaim her voice and now offers these tools via workshops, panels, and keynotes. 

Participants in Bhavna’s sessions leave with proven tactics to help: learn to stutter without shame, create affirmations of resilience, integrate mindfulness practices into your speech, and develop active listening skills to assist with maneuvering conversations.  

About the speaker

Bhavna Bakshi delivers personal development tools for the 70 million people impacted by stuttering worldwide. She supports this community as a keynote speaker and panelist for the Canadian Stuttering Association and My Speech Hub. Fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, Bhavna is also a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur in the real estate, private lending, and mortgage industries who speaks to media outlets like CBC Radio Canada on industry trends. 

Michel Montreuil

After completing studies in composition, Michel worked as director, drama teacher, composer of multimedia music, playwright, piano instructor and pianist. For several years, his focus has been on producing documentary podcasts (Récidive, Immersion, Retours de voyage de Kim Thuy) and immersive fiction (Cavale, Écho, De glace) for Radio-Canada Ohdio. Michel’s works have received multiple international awards, notably in London, Paris and New York. He recently completed a documentary series titled, "Ça prendra l’temps que ça prend : quête d’un bègue" ("It Will Take the Time That it Takes: a Stutterer’s Quest", available only in French, about his personal journey towards finding the oh still distant “acceptance”).

Registration Rates

Register early to save on registration rates (until 11:59PM on September 30th)! Early registrants will be entered into a draw for conference swag.

With your 2-day or 1-day conference registration, you will receive food and drinks at breakfast and lunch, as well as during morning and afternoon breaks. Those registered for 2 days will be invited to our Friday evening Meet & Greet Reception, with hors d'oevres (appetizer dishes) included and a cash bar. Half-day registration includes snacks. There is a separate charge for the Saturday night banquet.

* Family registration is subsidized and is intended for a child who stutters (age 17 and under), one or both parents, and their siblings. More on our youth and kids programming can be found below.

Cancellation policy: All registrations for the conference event are final and non-refundable.

Youth Programming

The Youth Program will be offered at the conference again this year! The full day programming is for youth who stutter and their siblings ages 6 to 12. They will explore their stutter and what it means to them through various workshops such as creating meaningful crafts, improv, drawing, writing, games, and more! Youth who attend this full day programming will build lasting bonds amongst the group! With a sign in/sign out system and adults always present, the parent can be rest assured that their child is in good hands while they attend their own workshops throughout the day! Register your family today!

Special Rate: Registration is available for half-days:

• Saturday 8am - 12pm
• Saturday 1:15pm - 5:30pm
• Sunday 8:45am - 11:45am
• Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Banquet

On the evening of Saturday, November 9th, enjoy a 3-course dinner with soup or salad, a main course of grilled chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and spinach, or grilled salmon with tarragon sauce, or vegetarian lasagna served with garlic bread, as well as dessert. 

For kids 12 and under, they will enjoy a cream of chicken soup with toasted baguette, meat lasagna, a mini burger trio (caramelized onions, old age cheddar, fruit relish) served with onion rings, and a swiss chocolate cake for dessert. 

Entertainment is included, and there will also be a dance floor! More details will follow. 

Hotel

Le Nouvel Hotel is extending a fantastic offer with highly discounted room rates of $159.00 per night. This special rate is available from November 4th to November 14th, giving you the chance to extend your stay in the city. We highly encourage you to book your rooms before September 30th, as we will not be able to guarantee a reservation after this date. Also, room cancellation is without penalty up to 48 hours before the arrival date.  

All room rates cover 2 adults per room. Each additional person is an extra $15 (except for children 12 and under sharing a room with their parent) up to a maximum of 4 people per room. Rates for all guestrooms include high-speed internet access. Check-in time: AFTER 3 PM, check-out time: BEFORE 12:00 PM.

To secure this rate, Le Nouvel Hotel has provided us with a special link (for registration online) and conference code (for registration by phoning in). These have been made available to all ABC and CSA members by newsletter. If you are not a member of the CSA or ABC, you will also receive the link or code in an email after you register for the conference.  

Transportation

Parking

Underground parking is available from the hotel at $33/night.  

Local Transportation

Montreal is served by a public transportation network (STM) that includes buses and metros. Le Nouvel Hotel is within walking distance of three metro station; 2 on the orange line -  Lucien-L’Allier and George Vanier and 1 on the green line – Guy-Concordia.

Rail

You can take the train to Montreal’s Gare centrale located at 895 de la Gauchetière ouest. The station provides easy access to buses and metro.

Air

The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport offers direct flights to and from more than 30 Canadian cities as well as the United States. 

Tourist Attractions in Montréal

Near the hotel, there are several places to visit that are worth a look. Among these are:

• The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: A few minutes' walk away, a must-see museum with varied exhibitions.
• Rue Sainte-Catherine which is known for the boutiques, restaurants, and cafes located there
• The McCord Museum: Exhibitions on the history of Montreal and its inhabitants.
• Atwater Market: One of the most famous public markets in Montreal, ideal for discovering local products, cheeses, meats, and pastries.
• Old Port of Montreal: This location is worth the detour with its Ferris wheel, which offers a panoramic view of Montreal, a zip line, and the science museum.
• Mount Royal: Take in an impressive view of Montreal from the belvedere.