This week, BC Care Providers Association and EngAge BC hosted its first-ever virtual annual conference “COVID-19: What Set B.C. Apart?”.
Despite an unexpected change in format, the 2020 Annual Conference had over 300 participants and a line-up of high-profile speakers from across Canada and the world, including Dr. Jane Philpott, Dr. David Grabowski, Dr. Janice Keefe, Dr. Lee-Fay Low, Dr. Samir Sinha, and Dr. Roger Wong. The event also featured welcome addresses by B.C.’s Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
.@adriandix opens #BCCPA2020: "I am very proud of the work I've done with the @BCCareProviders over the last few years." pic.twitter.com/YdYIBNtlKL
— EngAge BC (@EngAge_BC) September 21, 2020
Conference programming delved into the impact of the novel coronavirus on the seniors’ living and wellness sector and how it can be better prepared for future outbreaks. A virtual exhibit hall showcased the latest innovations in products and services in the industry.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed us all to adapt and innovate,” says BCCPA CEO Terry Lake. “We are proud of the work the BCCPA/EngAge BC team and the Events and Recognition Committee has done to redesign the annual conference from the ground up so that we could bring B.C.’s seniors’ living sector together to discuss the most pressing issues facing us during this time.”
“With the first fully digital conference now behind us, we would like to thank our sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and delegates for making this year’s event a truly special one!” Lake adds.
The Association has received an overwhelmingly positive response from conference participants.
“Thank you again to Cathy and the team at BCCPA for allowing Handicare the opportunity to be title sponsor of this unique and ground-breaking event,” says Jared Bespalko, Regional Sales Manager – Western Canada, Handicare. “We wish to extend our congratulations to you on a job well done – pulling all of this together takes a huge amount of effort and coordination.”
“With such a great line-up of speakers, panelists and webinars, I am sure that all attendees found this to be an informative and engaging conference. And to all attendees, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to take part and to many of you for connecting with us,” Bespalko adds.
Getting into the zone to deliver a virtual keynote on #storytelling at this year’s BC Care Providers Association conference. These people do such important work caring for our elderly. #bccpa2020 #leadership
— Bill Baker (@StorytellerBill) September 23, 2020
We love this picture of our friends at @TrilliumComm who are attending #BCCPA2020 in (very safe) style. pic.twitter.com/KxtkYlqmph
— EngAge BC (@EngAge_BC) September 25, 2020
Below are some comments from #BCCPA2020 delegates.
“Thanks for everything you’re doing to make this virtual conference come together! Great content so far!”
“I wasn’t sure what I would think of the online platform but it’s pretty cool! I am really enjoying this platform! It is really fun and so nice to be able to go back if you miss a session to watch ‘on-demand’.”
@BCCareProviders what an amazing virtual conference we are witnessing, last day is tomorrow. Great speakers, interactive seminars and even an Exhibit hall #BCCPA2020
— Steve Pollard (@Steve_Pollard) September 24, 2020
“I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with this virtual conference so far! While I look forward to seeing everyone in Whistler as soon as it’s safe, your team has done a tremendous job in organizing this online event. Thanks! The ability to see who has visited the booth is terrific. Great traffic. WELL DONE ONCE AGAIN BCCPA.”
“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the storytelling session – it was fantastic. I haven’t had too much of a chance to sit through many of the sessions (but I will take some time this weekend). Thank you both for all your hard work putting this together. As a still newbie to the field, it is very informative and enlightening.”
Conference content will be available for registered attendees to view on-demand on the virtual conference portal until October 31st. We are pleased to share several informative webinars with the public here.
Thank you, #BCCPA2020 sponsors!
