Ep 190 CCA Virtual Conference 2021
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
The Canadian Celiac Association successfully presented two virtual conferences in 2020 and is now gearing up for the 2021 Conference. I speak with Nicole Byrom RD from the CCA who is organizing the conference. This conference will be somewhat different from all other CCA conferences in the past, in that of the two days, November 13th and 14th, the first day will be geared towards those who have been diagnosed for two years or less. The second day will focus on information for those who have been diagnosed longer than two years. Certainly, anyone is welcome to join either day, but I find it intriguing that this distinction was made. You can find out more about the conference, the speaker lineup and how to register by going to the CCA website and clicking on News & Events where you’ll find the Conference information listed – https://www.celiac.ca/news-events/national-conference/
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
It’s hard to remember exactly how many CCA conferences I’ve been to. I can mostly remember them by the variety of cities and warm welcomes I received in different parts of the country.
One of my first conferences was in Hamilton, Ontario. At the time, I was a member of the CCA, but I didn’t live in Canada. I was living with my husband and two daughters in Bermuda. Life was good for us in Bermuda, and that’s where I was finally diagnosed, and my daughter was diagnosed five months later. I can’t recall what year I attended the Hamilton conference, but one reason I did was because they offered a children’s program, and without knowing other celiac kids in Bermuda, I was somewhat desperate for Deanna to meet other gluten free kids.
We had an amazing time at the conference and Deanna met a girl her age who was there with her celiac Mom. The girls became good friends.
I wasn’t able to attend all the conferences held since my return to Canada, but here are some locations I remember – Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario; Kamloops, BC; Toronto, Ontario; Ottawa, Ontario; Moncton, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Attending so many conferences, I got to know many of the Chapter Executives who would often be the only travelling delegates from other provinces.
Attending CCA conferences all across Canada was an amazing experience with memories I will always treasure. But, the luxury of being able to attend conferences far from home as the chapter representative was something that most members missed out on. Virtual meetings can’t replace the social time, formal dinners and meeting new friends that happens at a face-to-face get together, but, it can make available the presentations from the excellent speakers that give real life to a conference. The CCA is very big on inclusivity, and virtual conferences do just that. I particularly like that the conference is free of charge, with donations kindly accepted – no one is excluded. Maybe one day, I’ll get to meet in person again with my CCA friends, but for now, I take great comfort in knowing that everyone can attend these informative conferences, no one misses out and even if you’re in the newly diagnosed category, as I was at the conference in Hamilton, you’ll gain so much that will help you live a fuller gluten free life.