Hey guys, you won’t believe what I got myself into this time! I just got back from the 2023 Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) conference, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience. I figured I’d share my adventure with you all, from start to finish, so here we go.
Getting There
First off, I had to figure out how to get to Vancouver. I live pretty far from there, so I had to find and book a flight to Vancouver. After booking my flight I started to search for the conference location and booked a hotel close to it. This saved me lots of time and trouble of traveling between the conference and hotel. After getting everything ready, I packed my bags and hopped on a plane. It was a bit of a trek, but I knew it would be worth it.
Diving In
Once I arrived, I checked into my hotel and made a beeline for the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, where the conference was being held. The place was buzzing with energy! I grabbed my registration packet and started checking out the schedule. Gosh, there were so many sessions to choose from, it was a little overwhelming at first. But hey, I was there to learn and share, and I wasn’t going to let a little thing like a packed schedule stop me. The Convention Committee did a really good job at making each convention vital, and this was no exception.
The Sessions
I started by attending a few sessions that really caught my eye. The first one was all about new research in clinical psychology. I was particularly interested in clinical psychology so I went to the most sessions on it. I learned a lot and got some new ideas to think about. I also attended a workshop on practical practice in psychology, which was super interesting. The speakers were all so knowledgeable, and I learned a ton. During this period, I found that the CPA has been championing Canadian psychological science, practice, and education since 1939, and is the largest association for psychology in Canada.
Networking
- Meeting People: One of the best parts of the conference was meeting other psychologists. I chatted with folks from all over Canada, and even a few from other countries. It was great to hear about their work and share some of my own experiences. I even made a few new friends!
- Sharing Ideas: I also got to present some of my own work at a poster session. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it went really well. People seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, and I got some great feedback. Plus, it was just cool to see my name on one of those big posters.
Wrapping Up
After several days of non-stop learning and networking, the conference finally came to an end. I was exhausted, but in a good way. I felt like I had really accomplished something, and I was excited to take what I had learned and apply it to my own work. This year’s theme was “Preach”, and I believe everyone did a good job at preaching new ideas.
Heading Home
With the conference over, it was time to head back home. I packed up my stuff, checked out of the hotel, and made my way to the airport. As I sat on the plane, I couldn’t help but smile. It had been an amazing experience, and I was already looking forward to next year’s conference.
So, that’s my story about the 2023 CPA conference. It was a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you ever get the chance to go to one of these things, I highly recommend it. You won’t regret it!
