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This guide equips you with practical steps to design bilingual events in Halifax that maximize engagement, accessibility, and local impact. Planners will find tips on language access, cultural integration, tools, and regional partners you can connect with when you’re ready to start planning.
Nova Scotia is enriched by a deep Acadian and francophone heritage that dates back more than 400 years, with French-speaking communities and cultural influences woven throughout the province’s history and identity. This makes Halifax a welcoming and dynamic destination for bilingual events in Canada’s two official languages, English and French – from national professional conferences to cultural celebrations and international assemblies.
Why Consider Halifax for Bilingual Events?
Halifax offers strategic advantages for bilingual events, including a strong francophone and bilingual population and active community networks.
Cultural and Linguistic Context
Local presence: Nova Scotia has a significant Acadian and francophone presence, with nearly 99,000 residents able to speak French across the province and a strong Acadian cultural legacy.
Francophone communities in Halifax: The Halifax Regional Municipality hosts the largest francophone and Acadian communities in the province, which helps improve local attendance and engagement.
Cultural programming:Acadian culture is celebrated through festivals, music, food, and traditions province-wide — offering authentic event programming opportunities.
Government support for French services: French language services and support and community engagement is a Government of Nova Scotia priority, with a formal framework in place with Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.
Opportunity for impact: Bilingual events mean new opportunities for professional development, networking, and greater visibility for our local francophone and Acadian cultures and communities. This helps make these communities more sustainable. For more sustainable planning tips visit our Sustainable Business Events Guide.
Planning Tips for Bilingual Events
When designing a bilingual event in Halifax, intentional planning around language access and cultural inclusivity will help elevate the experience for delegates:
Language Accessibility
Opening remarks: Provide bilingual greetings (Bonjour / Hello) at check-in and opening remarks to ensure attendees feel acknowledged from the start.
Interpretation services: Book simultaneous interpretation well in advance to avoid last-minute equipment or personnel shortages. Offer interpretation via digital platforms for remote attendees and audio devices for in-person audiences. Engage qualified human interpreters for nuanced sessions and consider AI-assisted tools like Wordly where appropriate.
Translated materials: Provide translated materials including programs, AV slides, websites, etc. in both English and French.
Bilingual signage: Ensure all signage and wayfinding are bilingual and that public announcements (both verbal and digital) are delivered in both languages.
Event management tools: Choose an event planning platform (e.g. PheedLoop, EventMobi) that supports bilingual navigation and content delivery. Consider these factors:
Language scope: Some platforms allow User Interaction (UI) translation for menus, buttons, etc.; others require manual translation of content pages and emails.
Delegate pathways: If tools don’t have built-in multilanguage settings, many planners use multiple language event pages and email templates to support delegates.
Live interpretation: For hybrid/on-site events, integrate real-time interpretation solutions through your AV/interpretation partners, as software alone won’t cover live spoken language needs.
Accessibility testing: Before publishing, test all translated materials for accuracy and usability, including evaluation of all digital platforms (registration, websites, apps, livestreams). Confirm that functionality (forms, tickets, feedback surveys) works consistently and intuitively in both languages.
Cultural Integration Considerations
Speakers & moderators: Invite francophone and bilingual speakers or moderators to ensure that questions and interaction can occur in both languages.
Local talent: Program local francophone artists and performers to reflect the community and enhance delegate experience.
Timing: Align key activities with local Acadian cultural festivals or National Acadian Day (August 15) when possible to boost delegate participation and engagement.
Program Design: Include bilingual networking sessions (i.e. moderated bilingual roundtables, speed networking in dual language tracks, etc.) and consider cultural immersions that celebrate Nova Scotia’s francophone heritage like:
Pieds à Terre: Acadian Party in a Box: A tailored cultural experience for large groups offered by the Société acadienne de Clare, bringing Acadian rhythm and heritage into your event.
Local Resources to Support Planning French and Bilingual Events
Here’s a curated list of regional partners and organizations that planners can connect with for expertise, language support, cultural programming, and on-the-ground activation:
Discover Halifax Business Events Chatbot
An AI-powered planning assistant that can answer Halifax event questions in English, French, and multiple other languages. Access the chatbot via the bottom right of our website at any time for guidance.
Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ)
CDÉNÉ supports the francophone business community throughout the region and is well connected with local francophone suppliers, venues, translators, performers, and educators. A regular event host themselves, CDÉNÉ can provide guidance on tools and partners used for French or bilingual events. Consider them your go-to partner for engaging Halifax’s Acadian and francophone communities.
To connect with CDÉNÉ, reach out to Project Development Officer, Issam Wade directly at iwade@cdene.ns.ca | 902-307-6001.
Chambre de Commerce francophone de Halifax (CCFH)
CCFH can help planners who are specifically looking for local businesses to partner or engage on a French or bilingual event. They can help by:
Connecting planners with the francophone business and cultural community in Halifax, which can be invaluable for outreach, sponsorships, speakers, vendors, and attendees.
Promoting relevant eventsthrough their member network and newsletters, increasing visibility among local Francophone businesses and audiences.
Offering networking and collaboration opportunities through their regular business events, which can help build local support and partnerships.
With thoughtful planning and the right resources, Halifax provides the cultural richness and community support you need to deliver bilingual events that are inclusive, engaging, and memorable for delegates. By integrating language accessibility, cultural programming, and local partnerships from the outset, your event can authentically reflect Canada’s two official languages while celebrating Nova Scotia’s unique Acadian heritage.
Ready to plan your bilingual event in Halifax?Contact Discover Halifax to connect with local partners and resources today.
