2025 AA International Convention

Seniors in Sobriety hopes to see you at the 2025 AA International Convention in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada July 3-6, 2025- where many members of our steering team will be available to share our experiences as seniors in recovery and our ongoing recovery service activities for elder alcoholics throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad.

Conference General Information (from the AA.org website as of 9/15/2025)

1. When and where will the 2025 International Convention take place?The 90th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous will be celebrated at the 2025 International Convention in Vancouver, BC, Canada, from Thursday July 3rd   to Sunday, July 6th, 2025.

  • The registration hall will be open on Wednesday.
  • The block party will be on Thursday.
  • The daytime A.A. meetings will be held on Friday and Saturday throughout the Convention Campus
  • The three big meetings will be held at BC Place Stadium, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

2. What is the Convention Campus?
The 2025 International Convention will take place on what we are calling the Convention Campus. Maps will be available in our mobile app and program materials detailing all the hotel space, convention rooms and the stadium dedicated to housing our event. 

3. Have A.A. International Conventions been held in Canada before?
Yes. There have been International Conventions in Toronto (1965), Montreal (1985), and Toronto (2005). As you may know, the Responsibility Statement was adopted at the 1965 International Convention in Toronto.

4. Will there be a bag policy for any of the convention locations?
As with most stadium venues such as BC Place, there will be limits on what can be brought into the stadium. More information will be available as we get closer. A bag check service will also be available.

5. My group would like to request a hospitality suite. Who should we contact?
A Hospitality Suite is not a hotel room, it is a meeting space for Fellowship.  Right now, we are ONLY accepting requests for Hospitality Suites from A.A. Service Entities and Special International Contacts listed with the General Service Office of the US and Canada. If you are interested in requesting a hospitality suite, please email the current staff assistant on the 2025 International Convention assignment at 2025ICsa@aa.org.

6. Will there be a dedicated Mobile App for the 2025 International Convention?
A 2025 International Convention app will be available for download for mobile devices. This will give attendees instant access to the convention program, schedule changes, maps of the Convention Campus, updates, alerts, and more. Print programs will still be available for attendees.

7. Will there be meetings offered in languages other than English?
Yes, there will be meetings in multiple languages provided throughout the event.

Traveling to Canada

8. If travel to Canada is difficult for some U.S. members, why are we holding an International Convention in Vancouver?
The Fellowship of the United States and Canada General Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous functions as one entity in spirit and in service to the Fellowship. As this event rotates through the regions of A.A., there will be times when it takes place in the U.S., and other times when it is held in Canada.

9. What Canadian travel information is currently available?
Below are resources to aid members in making plans to attend the 2025 International Convention (most questions can be answered by connecting to the links below). Also, a good travel book on Canada will provide valuable information on needed documents and border crossing requirements, as well as vacation tips.

10. Who will have to submit forms and applications to gain admission to Canada?
It is suggested that those who believe they have some past legal incident, such as a DUI or felony that could inhibit their ability to cross the border to attend the 2025 International Convention, seek assistance/information by accessing the Canada Border Services Agency links provided below question #11.

11. Are there any restrictions or regulations affecting travel to Canada in 2025?
Yes. The U.S. and Canada each have restrictions and regulations that apply to citizens and visitors who travel from one country to the other. U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport to travel to Canada.  Citizens from other countries need to view Canadian Visa Requirements.  Border crossing into Canada has significantly changed, particularly in the last two years. (For more information:  access links to Canada Border Services Agency website (CBSA) provided below)

Information for those who may have entry issues due to past criminal history:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/inadmissibility/overcome-criminal-convictions.html

Information for those who may have visa requirements due to traveling from another country:

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

For general information members may also access https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html or contact the Border Information Service (BIS) at CBSA by calling:

Within Canada
Toll-free
1-800-461-9999
TTY (for those with hearing or speech impairments)
1-866-335-3237 

Outside Canada
Long distance charges apply
1-204-983-3500
1-506-636-5064 

Press “0” to speak to an officer during regular business hours – Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time) excluding holidays.

12. I need to apply for a visa to enter Canada and need to request a letter of invitation? How do I submit this request?
If, after reviewing the official Canadian government’s entry requirements, you need a Letter of Invitation, we can assist with that. You first need to complete your registration for the 2025 International Convention and obtain housing, then email the staff associate, Marissa S. at 2025icsa@aa.orgto request the Letter of Invitation, which the GSO will provide.

If you are not approved for a visa for entry into Canada by May 9, 2025, please notify us at 2025icsa@aa.org to request a refund

Registration and Housing

13. When will registration and hotel information be available?
Actual online registration and housing site links and print forms will be communicated to the Fellowship starting in August of 2024.  Registration opens September 10, 2024, at Noon Eastern Time.

Registration and housing questions? Call (514) 380-9375. Press 1 for English, press 2 for Spanish, press 3 for French, or email: 2025IC@showcare.com.

14. How much is the registration fee to attend the 2025 International Convention?
The General Service Board has approved the 2025 International Convention fee so that when registration opens in September of 2024, it will cost $160.00 (USD) per person.  On April 15th, 2025, the price will increase to $185.00 (USD), where it will remain that price for those registering on site when the convention begins.

15. In the past I have been able to register and book my housing by filling out a printed registration form and mailing it in.  Is this still an option?
We are broadly distributing the Registration Brochure containing a printed registration form. The brochure is filled with specific information about the 2025 International Convention you will want to review.

The Print Form Registration Process will allow attendees to pay for the registration fee and our additional product offerings by check or money order only.  If your print registration form arrives by mail to Showcare before registration opens, it will not be processed until September 10, 2024. 

If you register by mail and select that you want to obtain housing, a link to the housing system by our vendor, Showcare, will be emailed to you to complete your reservation.  Regardless of whether you paid for registration by check or money order, you must provide a credit card to reserve and pay for your housing. 

16.  What types of housing are available?
In addition to traditional hotel rooms, we also have dormitory housing available at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU).  We also have options available through Airbnb.Once you have completed your registration you will be provided the option to book a hotel room or this alternate dormitory housing or an Airbnb.

17.  Will there be virtual sessions or post-convention video products for those who are unable to attend in-person?
You can use the Online Registration or Print Registration Form to:

  • Register for a Virtual Session Program Track. This is a two-day 8 session virtual program track. The sessions will be live streamed as they are taking place and will not be available for purchase after the Convention. Cost is $35 (USD).
  • Purchase the 2025 International Convention Three Big Meetings Video Product.  It will be an anonymity-protected video recording available for viewing after the Convention is over.  Cost is $60 (USD)

18. Must everyone register? I thought I didn’t have to pay to go to an A.A. event.
Yes. Everyone must register. Attendance at this special celebration is voluntary, and, as responsible A.A. members, “we pay our own way.” The International Convention is paid for by those A.A.s who participate in it.

19. Can I book housing on my own?
As for previous international conventions, we have blocked and negotiated rates for our convention hotel and dorm rooms.  For the 2025 International Convention some of our policies and procedures have changed to accommodate specific conditions in Vancouver and to facilitate overall fairness in access to convention housing.  You may still make your own private housing arrangements but would not have access to our convention housing block unless you book through the convention site.

As in past conventions, registration and housing are linked. Meaning that you cannot request convention housing without being registered and you cannot request or reserve more than 2 rooms of our convention housing inventory.

We strongly suggest you book housing as you register for the convention to take advantage of our special convention room rates.

20. Will there be any camping sites available as a housing option? 
We will not be offering camping sites as part of our housing options for the 2025 International

Camping:
Parks BC – this is the central hub for all camping in BC.  Attendees will want to search by “near Vancouver” as they won’t know any of the park names AND use the filter on the left to select Vehicle Camping to shortlist to appropriate camps.

RV Parks:

21. Will there be accommodation for people with accessibility needs?
Yes, when registering for the convention you can request accommodation for whatever your accessibility needs may be. More information will be available as you participate in the registration and housing process. Our convention is unique, and most cities cannot accommodate all the special and ADA requests of our attendees. Facilities would be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

22. My group would like to book their housing together. How do we go about booking a group reservation? 
Group Housing Criteria and Location:  Given the unique make up and location of our convention housing inventory, we will only be able to facilitate Group Housing requests if your group is traveling together from outside the United States and Canada and requires a minimum of 10 rooms.  In addition, we will only be able to facilitate group housing in rooms outside downtown Vancouver. 

If your group meets the criteria above, please reach out to staff associate, Marissa S. at 2025icsa@aa.org to learn more about the process and timelines.

If you do not meet the requirements above, please have your group members make their individual registrations and housing requests directly online, or via our printed form, when Registration and Housing opens in September 2024.

Please note in the online system, if you select the dormitory options, you MAY find available options to book accommodations that sleep four people together.

23. I am traveling with a member of Al-Anon. Will there be programs for them? Do they need to register separately?
You will have to register every member of your party, including Al-Anon members, at the same time. There will be programing specifically for members of Al-Anon, taking place at a hotel on the Convention Campus. Details will be announced closer to the date of the convention.

Transportation

24. Are there any discount codes for air travel or car rental?
Yes.  The codes can be found on our Registration Brochure located on https://www.aa.org/international-convention.  

25. How will I get around Vancouver?
To keep the registration fee affordable, no door-to-door shuttle bus service will be available (except for attendees with accessible needs). TransLink is Vancouver’s transit system that services most of the downtown and surrounding areas. A discounted TransLink Convention Pass will be available through the registration process. For more TransLink information regarding schedules and stations go to TransLink.ca.

26. Do I need to rent a car?
Vancouver is known for being a very walkable city with an efficient public transportation system TransLink, which we expect attendees to take full advantage of. If you feel like a car might be better suited for your needs, then please feel free to rent one.

27. Will scooters be available for rent?
Yes. More information on scooter rentals and other mobility devices will be available through Scootaround. This will be separate from the registration process.     

Speaker Selection Information

28. I would like to suggest a speaker. How are speakers chosen for the 2025 International Convention?
Following the opening of registration, a speaker suggestion form will be distributed to specific trusted servants within our service structure, such as local area delegates.  At that time, these members will be asked to submit names of suggested speakers. Note that the selection of speakers is through a group conscience process. Speakers come from those registered or who plan to register for the 2025 International Convention. We strive to use people who have not spoken at previous Conventions.

We anticipate receiving many suggestions for speakers and will likely receive more names than we can use. We may need to “go to the hat” to choose speakers at random.  We will strive for a diverse pool of selections according to several factors including geographic location.  Anyone selected as a speaker will be invited to speak sometime in early 2025.  (Please note that the final panel topics/themes are developed and chosen by the convention planning team.)

Volunteers

The 2025 Volunteer Welcome Committee is excited for next year.  We can’t wait to meet you all here in our beautiful city!

29. What kind of volunteer opportunities will there be?
The Volunteer Welcome Committee will need 5,000 happy and joyous volunteers to assist with making the 2025 International Convention a marvelous experience for everyone.  There will be between 12 and 15 sub-committees responsible for this, all headed up by a Chair and Co-Chair.  Many of them involve the best AA job of all – greeting!

 30. If I’m a volunteer, do I have to pay?
Yes, all attendees, including volunteers, must have a paid registration.

31. When can I sign up to volunteer?
General volunteer opportunities will be announced in the fall after registration has opened.  A full list of volunteer committees will be available at that point.

32. My friend and I want to volunteer in the same places at the same times.  Is that possible?  Can I volunteer for more than one assignment?  
We will do our best to fulfill specific requests about scheduling, and assignments.  However, there are no guarantees.

33. I do not live in Vancouver. Are there volunteer opportunities for people from out of town?  How will I know where to go and how will I get training?  
If you are outside of Vancouver, outside of the province or from another country and are attending the Convention, there are plenty of opportunities for you. For instance, all meetings need greeters, and there are a lot of meetings!  You will be contacted ahead of time by a Volunteer Welcome Committee member regarding sub-committee details, training, directions and instruction.

34. Where can I find out more information about volunteer opportunities?
Visit the 2025 Volunteer Welcome Committee website for more information at https://icvwc2025.org/