Context:
The CBA has 39 national Sections that provide a platform for CBA members to engage with each other and get involved in professional issues that matter to them, including through professional development programs. Annual conferences, organised by national Sections, are a key component of this experience for CBA members. Following the return to in-person events after the COVID-19 pandemic, many Sections are eager to host, and members are eager to attend, in-person conferences. However, due to current logistical constraints, the CBA has recently had requests for more in-person conferences than it can organise in a given year.
In an effort to ensure the CBA can assist Sections with organising as many in-persons conferences as possible each year, the CBA has developed the following conference submission and evaluation process. The number of conferences that can be organised each year will be reassessed annually - always with the objective of delivering as many high-quality national conferences as possible for CBA members.
1. Conference Submission Process
- Each national Section interested in hosting an in-person conference is requested to submit a Conference Proposal Form at least 2 years in advance of the proposed date for the conference.
- The proposal should include proposed dates and preferred city, conference theme/agenda outline, and objectives/expected outcomes.
- The initial application is not intended to be a lengthy undertaking for Sections, but should include enough information, as outlined below under the selection criteria, to allow the CBA to consider the proposal when there may be more requests for in-person conferences than there is capacity to coordinate.
2. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria listed below. Please note that this information is provided as a guideline. There will be some flexibility and if a particular criterion does not apply to a conference proposal that criterion will not be weighed against the proposal (e.g. if a Section has not delivered a conference in recent years the past conference success criterion will not be weighed against the proposal).
| Criteria | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity of Purpose & Agenda | Well-defined objectives, clear agenda, and actionable outcomes. A clear agenda is key for approval and should include new law developments, educational value, professional development, and nationally relevant topics. We understand that when advance planning, Sections may need to include slots on the agenda for emerging legal issues – please identify when doing so. | 20-25% |
| Section Size & Member Engagement | Number of active Section members (information the CBA will have) and expected participation. This helps to ensure broad impact for members. | 20-25% |
| Past Conference Success | Attendance, participant satisfaction, and impact of previous conferences. The CBA will have this information, and you do not need to add this to your proposal unless you would like to highlight key issues related to past successes or challenges. | 15-20% |
| Implementation Plan | Outline of proposed logistical details: timelines, responsibilities, and expectations. This should also include information on any social/networking events tied to the conference e.g. receptions, dinners etc. | 10-15% |
| Equity & Diversity Considerations | Commitment to inclusive participation and diverse perspectives in speakers, panels, and audience. | 10-15% |
| Collaboration Potential | Plans to partner with other Sections, external stakeholders, or increase cross-Section engagement. | 5-15 |
| Conference Cycle Consideration | Sections hosting on a biennial cycle will receive additional weight in the scoring process to ensure fairness and continuity. This recognizes their reduced frequency of opportunity. | 5-10% |
| Complimentary Registrations | Outline the number of complimentary registrations that would be preferred/required. | 15-20% |
3. Selection Process
- Submission Review – All proposals will be reviewed by CBA staff, and each proposal will be evaluated based on the above criteria. Sections should submit their proposals as complete, but staff will reach out if they have specific questions.
- Selection – Staff will work with national Sections to coordinate preparation for selected in-person conferences.
- Waitlist & Virtual Alternatives – National Sections not selected in a particular year may be offered virtual conference opportunities or be placed on a waitlist in case of cancellations and will be reviewed again the following year.
4. Communication & Transparency
- All national Sections will receive feedback on their proposals.
- Selection decisions will be shared with all national Sections.
- The process aims to ensure fairness, strategic impact, and maximum value for CBA members.
- National sections are encouraged to plan early, collaborate with each other sections and consult with their CBA staff liaison regarding any questions on the process.
5. Next Steps
- Sections will receive an email inviting conference requests for 2027–2028.
- Sections will have one monthto respond (by the end of February).
- Submissions will be reviewed in March, and decisions sent out in April