Welcome to Convention 2021

Log-in credentials for all registered delegates to access the online 2021 UBCM Convention arrived in everyone’s inbox yesterday, Wednesday, September 8th. We hope you’ve had an opportunity to explore around the Virtual Convention Lobby. We will be adding finishing touches to the platform all week in advance of the Official Convention Kick-Off, next Monday evening. However, we wanted everyone to have a sneak peek and get familiar with navigating this online space. We’re excited and ready to welcome you.
 
Our Convention Team is always available to provide assistance! If you have a specific question about your registration, please connect with the UBCM Registration Team at convention@ubcm.ca or call the UBCM Office in Richmond at 604.270.8226. If the line is engaged, they are assisting other delegates. Please leave a voice mail and don’t forget to leave a phone number where you can be reached. If you are having technical issues accessing the Pheedloop virtual convention platform, please email ubcm2021@icsevents.com
UBCM Kick-Off Networking Night

On Monday, September 13th at Six O’clock [yes, the evening’s program and your digital adventure starts at 6pm] the 2021 UBCM Convention kicks off with our first-ever online Networking Night, hosted on Spatial Chat. All registered delegates will be given exclusive and seamless access to the Spatial Chat environment, directly through the Pheedloop virtual convention platform.
 
What is Spatial Chat?
Spatial Chat is a social and networking platform, which allows video chat conversations that recreate real-life social interactions! The Spatial Chat environment will be open and available to all registered UBCM Delegates starting Monday, September 13th at 5:45pm.

Where Do I Go?
Accessing Spatial Chat is easy and straightforward. 
  1. Log-in to the virtual convention platform (Pheedloop) with the credentials sent to you on September 8th
  2. Navigate to the left-hand menu and click on the [Live Program] tab. Select the 2nd Session in the list, and click UBCM's Kick-Off Networking Night
  3. Inside the Session description, review the tips on how to explore and network in Spatial Chat, and watch the 7-minute you-tube video on How to Use Spatial Chat.
  4. At 5:45 pm, a link will appear that will lead you directly into Spatial Chat. The Main Stage program begins at 6:00 pm.

How Can I Prepare?
For the optimal experience, please ensure that you have Google Chrome installed on your laptop or desktop. If you have head phones or earphones/earbuds in your desk drawer, these would be great to use but not absolutely required. Depending on the strength of your wi-fi signal, we also recommend that you use a hard wired internet connection for the evening. While Spatial Chat doesn’t offer built-in live captioning for these virtual spaces, delegates can easily activate Live Caption on Google Chrome with these live-captioning instructions.
What is the Program Format?
We have an amazing line-up of speakers ready not only to entertain, but also to challenge, inspire and push the limits of your thinking. Our diverse group of thought-provoking speakers are subject experts in their fields with impressive backgrounds. Key topics to be explored over the evening will focus on Technology, Leadership, Child Care Advocacy, Pandemic Burnout and Resiliency. Check out their comprehensive speaker profiles featured on our newly launched website.
 
On the Spatial Chat Main Stage, our speakers will each give 10-minute presentations followed by a short question and discussion session. After the presentations conclude, all delegates will then maneuver their avatars to the various augmented reality break-out rooms. Most of our speakers will be hosting their own virtual lounges where you can stop in to ask them questions directly or break off into smaller groups to continue like-minded conversations. We’ll also have several just-for-fun break-out rooms for you to explore, where you can ‘spatial chat’ with newly contacts and friends. This format WILL be the normal for virtual networking events going forward, so lean in, embrace and enjoy!
Joining the Spatial Chat Space
1.    Clicking the link in the UBCM's Kick-Off Networking Night Session description will automatically teleport you into Spatial Chat.

2.    Enter your name and any information you want to share about yourself with other attendees. (This could be as simple as your first and last name and perhaps the city you represent. Or share a few more details such as your title, organization’s name and maybe a few subjects or topics you’re passionate about discussing). And don’t forget to hover over the circle and click to upload a photo. This can be the same photo you’ve just uploaded into the [MY PROFILE] tab on the virtual convention platform or select a picture that’s fun and more casual for networking at night. Then click the “Continue”.

3.    Next, click on the red circle icons to allow Spatial Chat to access your camera and microphone. They will turn green once they are on. Then click “Join Space”.

4.    BOOM you’re in! Depending on which room you land in, you may need to navigate to the “Main Stage” room in your right-hand menu. If you need assistance or having trouble, just click the HELP CONCIERGE room and there will someone to assist you via text chat or video, whichever you are more comfortable with.

5.    If you’d like a refresher on how to move around Spatial Chat click over to the HELP VIDEO room.

6.   If you’re ready for the show with popcorn and a beverage in hand, then click into the Main Stage. The program will start here with Welcome Remarks and Introductions from UBCM President, Brian Frenkel and UBCM Vice President, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg.
The UBCM Kick-Off Networking Night not only promises to be informative and inspirational, but it is also meant to be REALLY FUN! Our goal for this Networking Night is to help prime Delegates and get everyone comfortable, excited and ready for an immersive week of virtual networking, connecting and sharing.
Thanks to Headline Sponsor CUPE BC their support to help us bring you this unique event.
Get Resolution Ready!

The UBCM Resolutions Committee has created an instructional guide for voting delegates participating in the virtual resolution’s sessions at the 2021 UBCM convention. The guide is a refresher for delegates who participated during last year’s virtual resolutions session and provides an overview for those who are new.
 
The Committee would note that there have been a few small changes in the voting process since last year, most importantly, that voting will take place via a second tab/window, with the live feed of the Resolutions Chair streaming via the first tab/window. UBCM recommends that voting delegates use a desktop or laptop computer. We also recommend using Google Chrome as your browser during the resolution’s sessions and during the Convention as a whole.
 
The 2021 UBCM Resolutions Book and the 2021 Policy Book #1 are available on the UBCM website for advance consideration. The resolution sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 16 from 9am – 12pm, both days. The Committee is looking forward to welcoming members in the consideration of this year’s resolutions.
Stay Up-to-Date and Tag #UBCM2021

For Convention updates and the latest details on the Program, Resolutions Book and Process, UBCM Networking Night, the Convention FAQ’s and more visit the 2021 Convention page on ubcm.ca. Watch as our latest social media posts appear on our Social Wall, located in the Virtual Convention Lobby. Contribute and share by using #UBCM21 on your social media channels.
Gamification

Calling all Delegates, join in the fun for the UBCM Virtual Scavenger Hunt. Search for ‘spot codes’, accumulate points and watch your colleagues move-up the leaderboard. Then on Friday, September 17th delegates can redeem their points in exchange for great prizes and claim bragging rights!

How The Scavenger Hunt Works
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.

When does the Hunt Open and Close?
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.

When and how do Delegates redeem prizes? 
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

What is a Spot Code?
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!
 
Who is eligible to play and redeem prizes?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions

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. Here you’ll find significant detail under several main categories including General Information, Resolutions, Policy Book, Elections. Check back often as we’ll continually update this resource page with new detail. If you still can’t find the answer to your question, 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.
Inclusion & Accessibility

UBCM is committed to providing a safe, open, accessible, and respectful environment for the online 2021 UBCM Convention. Our approach is non-judgmental, non-biased, and inclusive. In turn, we expect Delegates to always exhibit professional and respectful conduct.
 
UBCM will not tolerate any communication or behavior that demeans, threatens, or harasses anyone at its events, whether online or in-person. We’d like to remind registered Delegates that each of you agreed to comply with the UBCM Convention Code of Conduct and digitally signed the Agreement and Acknowledgement Form as a condition of completing your online registration.
 
This year, UBCM has also made visual and audio accessibility a priority. Live closed captioning will be available on the convention platform during all live sessions OR during the plenary, keynote and resolutions, and on all corresponding recordings. We've encouraged our speakers and presenters to use font sizes that are large enough to be easily read on a laptop screen. On the Pheedloop platform itself, the website aims to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps ensure that the platform is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more. Let's all make sure this year's UBCM Convention is a safe and encouraging collaboration space.
The UBCM Convention Bulletin is distributed to all registered delegates as well as to designated local government staff who are coordinating registration for elected officials. If you do not wish to receive these updates, you can opt-out to unsubscribe by using the link below. Copyright © Union of British Columbia Municipalities 2021