Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this conference for?
The Canadian Women in Medicine (CWIM) Conference is the largest annual gathering of women physicians and one of the largest medical conferences in Canada. Our last six conferences have hosted over 7,000 women physicians for best-in-class CME on topics related to wellness and personal and professional development. For more information check out our About page.
Do I have to be a physician to register?
Yes. The Canadian Women in Medicine Conference is for physicians only. Our mandate is to support the well-being of women physicians (including all who identify as women) by providing a safe and supportive environment to learn and connect with each other. Our in-person component sells out each year, therefore we reserve our registration for physicians only.
Is there a special rate for paid partners of the Canadian Women in
Medicine Organization?
Yes! CWIM Partners will have early access priority registration until 11:00am ET on Thursday, November 23rd, 2024 after which registration will be open to non-partners. Your partner discount will apply until December 31, 2023 at 11:59pm ET after which we will only have one standard rate for all registrants.
In-person registration and workshops have historically sold-out during the early access period, so becoming a CWIM Partner is your best bet to secure an in-person spot. Want more information about the Canadian Women in Medicine Organization, the benefits of partnership, and how to sign up? Visit www.cwimorg.com.
Your CWIM partnership must still be active at the time of the conference to receive CWIM Partner benefits (entry into Mentorship Mix & Mingle event, drink ticket at Opening Night Reception, etc.).
I am a CWIM Partner. How do I register?
If your CWIM partnership is active, the CWIM Conference registration website will recognize your email address. Please ensure you are using the same email address as your CWIM partnership registration. If your email is not recognized, please send an email to hello@cwimorg.com to check your partner status and confirm the correct email address.
Can I register if I am not Canadian?
Yes! We have attendees join us from all across the world! You can register on or after 11:00am ET on November 23rd if you are not a CWIM Partner. Please select "other" under Provincial College Affiliation and add your local country's physician registration number. If you do not have a verifiable physician credential, please email us at conference@cwimgather.com.
Are the conference and workshops accredited?
Historically our conference has been accredited. Be sure to follow CWIM Gather on social media (@cwimgather) and join our mailing list here to receive news and updates on accreditation.
What about the infamous CWIM Swag Bag/Box?
We will again have a limited number of welcome boxes for our registrants....and yes, they will be even more fabulous than last year! We will update the site when the welcome boxes are sold out.
For this year, whether you attend in person or virtually, your welcome box will be shipped to your home before the conference.
In-person attendees who have purchased a Premium Conference Package will receive additional VIP-only items.
What else is included with conference registration?
New this year, in-person attendees may select one of two conference packages: Premium or Essential. Please see our Registration page for a detailed list of inclusions within each package.
What is the conference refund policy?
I've already registered, but I want to add a workshop or change my
address. How can I do this?
You can make changes to your personal information, or add workshops anytime (subject to availability). Follow the instructions in your registration confirmation email for details on how to modify your registration.
I didn't receive a confirmation email. Should I register again?
No! Please check your spam folder first, as well as your credit card statement. Please email conference@cwimgather.com if your credit card has been charged but you did not receive a confirmation email.
What if I can't make every session?
Not a problem! All main-stage plenary sessions will be recorded and available for viewing for three months after the conference. This is included for both in-person and virtual attendees. Please note, if you've registered for workshop sessions these will not be recorded. Workshop sessions are live and in-person only.
General
In-Person
How do I book hotel accomodations for the conference?
We have a block of discounted rooms available at a few hotels around the Halifax Convention Centre. Additional booking details (booking link and codes) will be shared in your confirmation email once you have registered.
I am flying into Halifax. Are there any travel discounts?
We have negotiated a special discount with Air Canada for flights to and from the conference. More details coming soon.
Can I bring my baby?
Of course - we love babies! Babes on laps are welcome to attend and we will have a beautifully appointed nursing and pumping room. We will also have stroller parking and many willing participants to lend a hand so you can enjoy the conference.
Can partners and older children attend? Is childcare available?
We ask that only registered attendees enter the conference space and exhibit hall because we will have limited space and carefully planned meals just for attendees. Conference badges are required (and will be checked) in all conference spaces.
We have created an editable sharing file to help match those of you who may be bringing older teenagers willing to babysit, and those of you who may be looking for a sitter. Please email us for access to the file if you are interested.
What if I want to register for more than one workshop in the same
time slot?
Only one workshop can be selected per timeslot.
As an aside, if you plan on attending more than one workshop, we encourage you to check out our Premium Package which includes workshop day (three workshops + breakfast, lunch, coffee, and snack).
I registered to come in person but I want to switch to virtual - can I?
What happens if the conference can't take place in-person due to COVID?
Virtual
What about all the great networking and connection that happens at
CWIM In-Person Conferences?
We have incorporated some amazing opportunities to connect with your colleagues that hopefully mirror the experiences you'd get at an in-person event (minus all the hugs). Our virtual platform includes an activity feed where everyone can share thoughts and photos and we'll be taking Q&A during plenary sessions via the platform for everyone, whether virtually or in-person. You'll also be able to connect directly with in-person attendees again this year via our conference platform.
I registered virtually but now I want to come in person - can I switch?
You can upgrade your registration to in-person (space permitting) by modifying your registration and selecting one of the in-person conference packages (Premium or Essential). A link to modify your registration will be found within your Registration Confirmation email.
Do I need any special technical skills to attend a virtual conference?
No! The conference will be held on CrowdComms (the same platform we used in 2023). CrowdComms is a user-friendly platform and no technical skills are required. We do advise ensuring a high-speed internet connection to ensure the stream is clear.
Can we get together with friends and watch the conference as a group?
We do anticipate some smaller groups gathering across the country to view the conference together. If you wish to gather at a hotel, please contact conference@cwimgather.com to see if we can get you a discounted rate. Please keep in mind that all members present and viewing MUST be independently registered for the event. In order to claim CME credits, claim your expenses and receive a swag box, you must be registered for the conference. If unregistered persons are found to be viewing the event, they and their friends will be removed from the conference, without reimbursement.
I need to escape my house to watch the conference!
Is there a hotel discount in my city?
If there are several people interested in booking, please email us at conference@cwimgather.com and we can help you set something up.
I've registered virtually but I didn't see the option to add any workshops for
workshop day.
How do I add workshops?
We are not offering virtual workshop sessions this year. Workshops are for in-person attendees only and must be attended live (not recorded) on Workshop Day (May 23). Virtual registration includes all plenary sessions on May 24 and May 25.