Conferences & Festivals

— Last checked August 2025 by Doris Fiedrich

Conferences and more

For Magazine Professionals

• Alberta Magazines Conference: An annual seminar series and conference hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association. Visit Site 
• Editors Canada Conference: Editors Canada Association is an organization which promotes professional development through seminars, online training and conferences. The conference is held in spring in a different city each year. The goal of the conference is to create an opportunity for members to build connections and networks. It is open to both members and non-member attendees. Visit Site
• MagsWest: The Magazine Association of BC’s conference, typically held on a regular basis in Vancouver. Sign up for our newsletter to find out the latest about our next conference. 
• Niche Media Conference: “Annual multi-track team training event. 300+ media pros focusing on revenue generation, sales training, audience growth, and emerging media trends. For all niche audience publishers: print, digital-only, city & regional, podcasters, and more uniting around growing their media business and revenue!” Visit Site

For Related Professions

• American Library Association Conference & Exhibition: Annual ALA Conference and exhibition in June/July, connecting librarians and libraries worldwide. Visit Site
• American Copy Editors Society: ACES is a yearly conference which is focused on essential fundamental skills of copy editing and the discussion of issues related to future trends of the industry. Virtual conferences also held in the fall annually. The discounted conference fees are applied for other communications associations, including Editors Canada. Visit Site
  
• Association of Writers & Writing Programs: The AWP Conference & Bookfair is the essential gathering for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Visit Site
• BNC Webinars and Tech Forum: BookNet Canada is a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry. BookNet Canada’s services and research help companies promote and sell books, streamline workflows, and analyze and adapt to a rapidly changing market. Visit Site Visit Tech Forum
• Books BC News & Events: The Association of Book Publishers of BC (Books BC) is a provincial association of BC owned and controlled book publishing companies. Books BC works to support the long-term health and success of the Canadian-owned book industry in British Columbia. Visit Site
• Canadian Imaging Conference & Expo: This conference by the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) is a yearly photographic conference and trade show for professional and enthusiast photographers from various sectors. Visit Site
• Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences: The largest annual academic conference in Canada. Organized yearly by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences at universities throughout Canada. Includes exhibitor space. Congress Site
• FIPP World Media Congress:  “brings the industry together once a year to hear the latest trends and for networking.” Visit Site
• Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse). Visit Site
• Independent News Sustainability Summit: Hosted by LION Publishers: “strengthens the local news industry by helping independent news publishers build more sustainable businesses.” Visit Site
• International Regional Media Association (IRMA) Conference: Their mission is to strengthen “the industry by connecting members through their passion for publishing and their communities.” Visit Site 
• Science Writers & Communicators of Canada Conference: The SWCC annual conference has been organized by the Canadian Science Writers’ Association since 1971. The conference is open to media professionals, technical writers, journalists, and any others who are interested and involved in communicating science and technology to non-specialist audiences. Visit Site
• Surrey International Writers’ Conference: An annual development conference and festival of literature, happening every October in Surrey, BC. Visit Site
• TMAC Conference & Media Marketplace: Travel Media Association of Canada is a non-profit organization whose goal is to create connections and opportunities for industry and media travel professionals. The conference is held annually. Visit Site

Festivals

• Denman Island Readers & Writers Festival: Held over a weekend on Denman Island, an intimate festival celebrating British Columbian and Canadian authors. Visit Site
• Elephant Mountain Literary Festival: The  EMLF is an annual Canadian Literary event held in the town of Nelson, BC offering workshops, readings and talks. Visit Site
• The FOLD | Celebrating Diverse Authors and Storytellers: Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers, held in historic downtown Brampton. Some events also held online. Visit Site
  
• The North Shore Writers Festival: A celebration of Canadian writing, held at the West Vancouver Memorial Library. Visit Site
• Paper Covers Rock: Salt Spring Island Readers and Writers Festival: Featuring Canadian authors, writing workshops, plus speakers in publishing, marketing and business. Visit Site
• Sidney LitFest: The Sidney and Peninsula Literary Society celebrates the written word, organizes readings throughout the year and sponsors a biennial literary festival. Visit Site
• Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts: An annual festival of literature, happening every August in Sechelt, BC. Visit Site
• Vancouver Art Book Fair: VABF is a three-day celebration of artists’ publishing featuring over one hundred local, national and international publishers, as well as a diverse line-up of programs, performances and artists’ projects. Visit Site
• Vancouver Writers Festival: Vancouver’s premier literary event., held in October, also holding special events year-round.  Visit Site
• Victoria Festival of Authors: Vancouver Island’s largest celebration of books and book lovers. Hybrid events held in-person, by livestream and virtually. Visit Site
• Whistler Writers Festival: The festival takes place in Whistler annually in October. The festival gathers Canadian and international authors through a series of activities: workshops, speaker panels, spoken word events, music and more. Visit Site
• WisCon: A project of SF3 – Society for the Furtherance & Study of Fantasy & Science Fiction, annually from Madison, WI and now online. Visit Site
• Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival: This festival occurs annually in Salmon Arm, BC and brings together writers, publishers and editors. Visit Site
• Words on the Water – Campbell River Writers’ Festival: Weekend long contemporary writing festival featuring author talks and Q&As. Held in Campbell River, BC. Visit Site
• WORD Vancouver Festival: Held annually in September. Visit Site

Lists by other organizations

Canadian Festivals and Reading Series. The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Literary Festivals & Reading Series in BC. Read Local BC.