Activities & Events
Welcome Reception
Le Centre Sheraton Montreal
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST
Complimentary with Conference registration
Prepare to kick off the conference at our Opening Welcome Reception. Enjoy light appetizers and refreshments, mingle with fellow attendees, and gear up for engaging conversations and a productive event.
Art Encanto: A Celebration of Community and Creativity
During the Welcome Reception, join us for Art Encanto, a special silent auction showcasing artwork created by community members from PECH Sherpa and Fondation Dépendances Montréal. This event highlights the power of creativity, social inclusion, and recovery through art.
The artwork is now open for bidding!
Bidding will close on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Each artist has set their own starting bid to reflect the value they place on their work. Pricing decisions were made entirely by the artists — CSAM-SMCA did not influence the process.
Attendees have the opportunity to bid on these original pieces, created exclusively for the CSAM-SMCA conference. Proceeds from the auction will support the partner organizations’ vital work in harm reduction, mental health, housing, and addiction services, with a portion also going directly to the artists. Tax receipts will be issued for all purchases.
Don’t miss this meaningful and inspiring kickoff to our conference. This event is a perfect opportunity to connect, celebrate creativity, and make a difference.
Get Your Professional Headshot Onsite!
Boost your professional image with a high-quality headshot taken during the conference! For just $50, you’ll receive 1–3 expertly captured photos—perfect for LinkedIn, professional profiles, or personal branding. Sessions focus on headshots and portraits using a studio-style lighting setup, rather than full-body lifestyle shots.
Photographer: Nicolas Abou — Learn more at www.lifebynico.com
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 11:30a.m. to 1:45p.m
Spots are limited — reserve your session today.
Lunch-Hour Tour: Inside CACTUS Montréal’s Harm Reduction Hub
Join us for a guided lunch-hour visit to CACTUS Montréal, a longstanding community organization dedicated to harm reduction since 1989. Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, CACTUS offers vital services, including supervised consumption, STBBI testing and prevention, drug analysis, and access to harm reduction supplies such as naloxone kits. This visit offers a unique opportunity to see frontline harm reduction work in action and learn from experienced staff. Space is limited to 20 participants per session — don’t miss this chance to engage with one of Montreal’s most respected community health organizations.
This 30–45 minute tour offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of frontline harm reduction work in Montreal.
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: Lunch Hour (Exact time TBD)
Spots are limited — advance sign-up required.
Lunch-Hour Tour: Inside Rond-Point — A One-Stop Perinatal, Family, and Addiction Program
Join us for a guided lunch-hour tour of the Rond-Point Perinatal Addiction Program. Since 2014, this unique program has been offering a wide range of clinical and community services in one location. The program supports pregnant individuals, parents, and families with children aged 0 to 5 who are experiencing, or have experienced, issues related to substance, alcohol, or medication use. We especially welcome healthcare professionals in perinatal care to visit Rond-Point and take part in discussions on current challenges in perinatal addiction care in Canada.
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 12:10pm-2:00pm (Departure from the Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel: 12:10pm; Return to the conference at 2:00pm)
Space is limited to 20 participants per session — register early to secure your spot!
Make a Local Impact: Coat Drive for Montreal’s Winter
As part of our commitment to supporting the local community, CSAM-SMCA will be partnering with Welcome Hall Mission to collect winter coats for those in need. Donations can be made on Thursday, October 16, and the morning of Friday, October 17. A donation box will be located in the registration area.
Message from the Organization:
Many of us take our winter coats for granted—sometimes complaining when they don’t match our outfit or take up too much space in our closet. Yet for many Montrealers, a coat is a luxury they simply cannot afford.
A winter coat can truly save a life. With Montreal’s harsh winters, people experiencing homelessness often face dangerous and even life-threatening conditions without proper winter clothing.
At our emergency shelter, individuals who use our services often arrive without any winter attire, let alone a winter coat. Help us provide warmth ahead of this winter by giving a new winter coat to someone who needs it.
If you’re unable to bring a coat, there are other ways to contribute to this initiative – follow this link to donate: https://missionbonaccueil.com/types-de-dons/
The Book Nook
This welcoming space is dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the authors within our community. If you’ve published a book and would like to share it with your peers, the Book Nook is the perfect place to do so. The Book Nook will be available throughout the conference in the 4th floor foyer, outside Ballroom W-C.
Attendees will be able to browse displayed books, learn more about them, and connect with the authors behind the work. Authors are welcome to bring a single copy or multiple copies of their book. A sign-in sheet will be available to record book titles and contact information, making it easy for attendees to follow up or purchase a copy.
We invite you to stop by the Book Nook to discover, celebrate, and support the creativity and expertise that thrive within our community.
Please note that CSAM-SMCA is not responsible for the content or views expressed in the books, nor for any damage to materials during the event.
