Stimulus:
Drugs, Policy and Practice in Canada

Strives to be the most accessible and safe drug policy and harm reduction conference to attend.

About the conference

ANNOUNCEMENT

Unfortunately, Stimulus 2023 is postponed until 2024.

A series of compounding challenges and significant changes to conference expenses contributed to this decision. While the entire Stimulus National Implementation and Planning (SNIP) Committee, CAPUD and CDPC staff, participants and partners were so looking forward to gathering this October, we are confident this is the right path forward at this time. Making this decision now ensures that we can work together toward the best possible version of Stimulus in the future.

“The opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and build collective power for change that Stimulus offers is so important,” says Marliss Taylor, Streetworks Director, Founding SNIP Committee Member, “Though we had hoped to gather this October, I am excited about what is possible as we plan for a 2024 event.”

We know that Stimulus, and the community around it, is not about a particular date, format or location. Stimulus is about the love that people have for each other and for the movement. This will continue to be a shared event that centres and uplifts the voices of people who use(d) criminalized drugs, creates a supportive space for harm reductionists and drug policy allies, continues to build best practices for safety and wellness, and is financially sustainable.

Thank you for being a part of this community.

In Solidarity, The Stimulus National Implementation and Planning (SNIP) Committee

We would like to thank every participant, applicant and sponsor for their continued support towards a new date for the conference.

Questions about the postponement?

Please see our FAQ section for more information.
take me to the FAQs

We are excited to continue to work together toward a new date for this event, and we hope you will be a part of it. If you would like to receive updates about how plans are taking shape, and how to get involved please sign up.

ABOUT

The Stimulus 2023 is not a regular conference!

A two-and-a-half day event hosting over 1,500 people whose expertise includes substance use experts, nurses, social workers, physicians, corrections staff, frontline workers, people involved in sex work, researchers, and other key stakeholders from across Canada, the Stimulus Conference is unlike any other.

We have experts who are harm reductionists and experts who are people with the lived experience of using criminalized drugs.

Together they are involved in the planning, implementing and evaluating this conference to make it the most accessible, interactive and safe event possible.

ANSWERS TO YOUR

FAQS

I applied for a scholarship, what happens to it?

Your application(s) will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled Stimulus conference. You won’t need to apply again. If you have questions related to scholarship, or if you want to cancel your application, contact Jenn. 

I applied to do an Activity, Presentation or Idea, what is going to happen to it?

Your application(s) will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled Stimulus conference. We also know that your
application was in the beginning of a review process, and we want to assure you that there will be an opportunity to revise or withdraw your application before it moves forward into the 2024 review. There is also the possibility that the Program Committee will be holding an additional Call for new and emergent activities, presentations and ideas.

I registered for Stimulus 2023, now what do I do?

There are two options:

  1. Transfer your registration to 2024. This means that your registration fee will be moved forward to the rescheduled 2024 conference, your spot will be held, and that your registration rate is secured at the 2023 level, even if there is a fee increase next year.
  2. Request a refund. For other registrants, getting a refund on your registration may be the best choice. All credit card transactions on the registration portal require the payment of a per-transaction fee. As a result, cancelations typically charge a minimum 7% administrative fee to cover those credit card expenses. We understand not all people or organizations will find this manageable and that you did not anticipate having to navigate a refund process for this event. It will take 2-4 weeks for a refund to show up on your credit card and you will receive a confirmation email once that has been completed.

Please contact Shay about transferring your registration, getting a refund or if you have questions about or would like support regarding the cancelation fee.

If I need to, can I change who the registration is for later on in the process?

Yes.

I am interested in sponsoring the Stimulus conference, who should I talk to?

We would be happy to connect with you on the multiple ways you can get involved to support the Stimulus conference!

Please get in touch with Naja for more information.

When and where will the next Stimulus conference be?

We don’t know this yet, but when we do we will let you know through our Facebook, Twitter and newsletter.

I have a question that is not answered here, who do I ask?

Contact Us
We are still interested in building connections with potential sponsors. If you would like to support the Stimulus conference, check out our sponsorship packages below, and contact Naja to get in touch.

Sponsorship Opportunities

For each level of sponsorship you are eligible for the following perks.

Friend

$5,000

What’s Included

1 conference registration
Sponsor’s name on the conference website with a hyperlink to your website
Listed in the conference program

Ally

$10,000

What’s Included

2 conference registrations
1 display booth
1 complimentary delegate bag insert
Sponsor’s name on the conference website with a hyperlink to your website
Listed in the conference program

Advocate

$15,000

What’s Included

3 conference registrations
2 display booths
Complimentary delegate bag insert
Sponsor’s name on the conference webpage with a hyperlink to your website
Sponsor’s logo in the conference program
Social Media Mentions : 1/ month on each platform prior to conference

Harm Reduction Love

$25,000

What’s Included

3 conference registrations
2 display booths
2 complimentary delegate bag inserts
Sponsor’s name on the conference webpage with a hyperlink to your website
Sponsor’s logo in the conference program
Social Media Mentions : 1/ month on each platform prior to conference
A Day 1 and Day 2 Podium mention

I love someone who uses drugs

$50,000

What’s Included

3 conference registrations
2 display booths
2 complimentary delegate bag inserts
Sponsor’s name on the conference webpage with a hyperlink to your website
Social Media Mentions: 1/ month on each platform prior to conference and daily during the conference
A Day 1 and Day 2 Podium mention
Half-page ad in the conference program

Champion of Change (5)

$75,000

What’s Included

Each sponsorship of this level will support one of the 5 refreshment breaks
4 conference registrations
2 display booths
2 complimentary delegate bag inserts
Collaboration with Stimulus on the 5 refreshment breaks menus
One 8.5 × 11 inches branding sponsor branding for each refreshment break table on site
Sponsor’s name on the conference webpage with a hyperlink to your website
Social Media Mentions: 1/ month on each platform prior to conference and daily during the conference
A Day 1 and Day 2 Podium mention
Full-page ad in program booklet

Stimulus Star (3)

$100,000

What’s Included

Each sponsorship of this level will support one of the 3 lunches.
5 conference registrations
4 buffet stand up banner branding opportunities for the lunch
3 display booths
2 complimentary delegate bag inserts
Sponsor’s name on the conference webpage with a hyperlink to your website
Social Media Mentions: 1/ month on each platform prior to conference and daily during the conference
A Day 1 and Day 2 Podium mention
Logo on the delegate bag
Banner located in the plenary room (Sponsor to provide)
Full-page color ad in the conference program

Conference Scholarship Fund

Contributions may be made to the scholarship fund in the amount of the donor’s choosing. They can be allocated to a specific population of people and/or people from a specific region of Canada. Donors to this fund will be recognized in the conference program and on our website.

Custom/Create Your Own Sponsorship

Stimulus 2023 reserves the right to not accept donations and in-kind gifts. For more information or to create your own package, please contact Naja Kassir at [email protected].