Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

As Canada's largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences works to promote research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic, and prosperous society. The annual event is the convergence of over 70 scholarly associations, each holding its annual conference under one umbrella. Congress 2021 marked the 90th year of the flagship event.

Typically spanning seven days in late May and early June and attracting over 8,000 attendees, Congress is organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences in partnership with a different Canadian university each year. The Federation, partner university, scholarly associations and partners develop a full week of presentations, workshops, panels, public lectures, cultural events, and receptions. It also features Canada’s largest academic trade show. The result? Luminaries, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students from across Canada and abroad meet, share ideas, and engage in discussions that have a direct impact on Canada and the lives of Canadians.

Congress programming is open to attendees, academics, and non-academic audiences. From theatre research, literature studies, and history to education, sociology, and communications, Congress represents a unique showcase of scholarly excellence, creativity, and leadership. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress 2021 was an entirely virtual event, organized in partnership with the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The theme for Congress 2021 was “Northern Relations.”

The 2021 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences was the largest virtual academic conference of its kind in Canada. The event put Edmonton and the University of Alberta on an international stage as a host for virtual events, and as a centre for intellectual excellence. Over 9 days, the virtual congress engaged with more than 6,000 attendees from 72 countries around the world, 28 associations, and more than 1,700 live zoom sessions. This experience could not have happened without the over 3,500 hours of time that hundreds of volunteers donated.

The Congress host city typically works closely with the Federation to develop the terms of hotel contracts and accommodations. For Congress 2021, the partner university worked closely with Explore Edmonton, the City of Edmonton’s Destination Marketing and Management Organization, to build a strong relationship early on, which included sponsorship funding directed to both partners. Explore Edmonton demonstrated a keen interest in making Congress a high-impact event for Edmonton. While these initial financial and logistical commitments were withdrawn in the context of a virtual delivery of Congress, Explore Edmonton became a valuable resource in the planning and execution of many of the event’s exciting virtual elements.

Beginning with the bid stage in 2016, Explore Edmonton worked with the University of Alberta through all stages of the event production, which culminated in providing an experienced Business Events team member who sat as a volunteer on the organizing committee for several months.

Working through the ever-changing factors of the COVID-19 pandemic required the exploration and updating of strategies as needed throughout the planning process. Event planners built an elaborate multi-level contingency plan (plans A through F) with various scenarios outlining how to rectify any and all situations as quickly and smoothly as possible. Each level of the contingency plan was actioned, highlighting the sheer difficulty of managing an event during these uncertain times, and the obstacles that can be faced when working within the virtual realm. This roadmap was essential in the Congress’ success and ability to go forward.

Due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 infection numbers in late March, early April of 2021, a difficult decision was made to run two Command Centres (East/West) and have all contractors and volunteers work from home. This required the hiring of additional contractors, engagement of a different volunteer pool, and ensuring that more resources were available to engage and support a larger virtual network. The Explore Edmonton team helped to develop innovative ideas to highlight the city, as the event moved forward with its online delivery, and found ways to engage the attendees on the virtual platform.

Through producing the Morning Show, Explore Edmonton was able to virtually showcase the city to a new and larger audience than they ever could have had the event been in-person. The virtual event had over 72 countries represented, as opposed to the 45 countries that would have been represented at an in-person conference. This opportunity to reach a wider audience allowed Explore Edmonton to amplify the city’s diverse arts and cultural experiences and multicultural communities, bringing those traditions and stories to an international stage. Each Morning Show filming location and topic was purposefully selected to raise awareness of little-known areas within Edmonton and our communities.

Edmonton is an innovative, big idea, all-hands-on-deck kind of city. Its people and innovators are great at coming together around a common goal, they say yes when they know it matters, and they figure out the who’s and the how’s afterwards. They set aside obstacles and build bridges towards these goals that have exponential impact on our city, country, and the world. In concert with many different partners, Explore Edmonton's Business Events team was able to deliver a virtual conference of astronomical size that focused on online accessibility, community building, networking, virtual wellness, and arts & culture programming.

The impact that COVID-19 had on Congress 2021 has left all involved with a stronger understanding of the notion that “it takes a village.” Through the unique and creative ideas set forth by all partners, expansive contingency plans, and hundreds of hours, the Explore Edmonton team was able to assist with pivoting the conference and engaging the virtual audience in new and exciting ways, all while making it available to all. The Congress was fully accessible, with ASL, LSQ, closed captioning, and simultaneous translation on all sessions and keynotes.

Explore Edmonton’s Business Events team was an ally to the University of Alberta and the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences’ before, during, and after event production. The team’s big city energy and hometown heart spirit provided connections to access a skilled team of planners, as well as an entire city that is ready to make sure every aspect of this event was an undeniable success.