Welcome to National Finals 2026
April 25-29, Quebec City
YOUR STEPS TO GET READY
~ Confirm your attendance ~
~ Prepare for the event ~
~ Review these steps by Monday, March 23 ~
1) MARCH 23 DEADLINE: REVIEW YOUR NATIONAL FINALS SCHEDULE
Review your detailed National Finals event schedule. You must attend all National Finals events. Attending only some events and not others is not an option! Make sure you’re available for the duration of the experience.
Questions?
Email Amanda Merpaw, our English Program Director, by Monday, March 23 at 5pm EDT.
2) MARCH 26 DEADLINE: CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE
Fill out your 2026 National Finals Information Form by Thursday, March 26 at 5pm EDT to confirm your National Finals attendance.
3) MARCH 26 DEADLINE: CONFIRM YOUR DIETARY NEEDS
Poetry in Voice/Les voix de la poésie (PIV/LVP) provides meals for all National Finals participants, with vegetarian options. We do our best but unfortunately we can’t meet all dietary needs, and we can’t guarantee allergen-free meals.
Special dietary needs? Severe allergies?
- Indicate your special dietary needs on the National Finals Information Form by March 26.
- Notify Ariane Tapp via email by March 26.
- See our 2026 Travel Policy for information about reimbursement for certain meal expenses.
4) MARCH 30 DEADLINE: CONFIRM YOUR TRAVEL
Flying or taking the train?
- PIV pays for your round-trip plane or train tickets.
- Your parent or guardian needs to arrange your flight or train journey by contacting Maureen Ross at UNIGLOBE by Monday, March 30 at 5pm EDT.
- See our 2026 Travel Policy for Maureen Ross’s contact details.
- When you arrive in Quebec City, a PIV/LVP member will meet you at the airport or train station and arrange your transport to the hotel.
Coming by car, public transit, or coach?
- Let us know in the National Finals Information Form by March 26.
- See our 2026 Travel Policy for details.
- PIV/LVP will cover parking and some related expenses.
OTHER IMPORTANT EVENT INFO
YOUR HOTEL
Hôtel Delta Québec
690 René-Lévesque Blvd E, Quebec City, QC, G1R 5A8
- You’ll be placed in a hotel room with one other National Finalist or FutureVerse participant.
- You have a four-night stay from April 25-29.
- Your checkout date is April 29.
THE POETRY IN VOICE TEAM
The Poetry in Voice team members will be there alongside you throughout your time in Quebec City. Want to know more about us?
YOUR CHAPERONES
As one of our 25 National Finalists and FutureVerse participants, you will be supported and overseen by 2 chaperones. Your chaperones will be available to you throughout your stay.
Here is a little bio and photo from each of our chaperones:
Maxime Desmeules
Hi there! My name is Maxime (she/her) and I work in the cultural sector. The literary arts play a big role in my life, both as a reader and as an author. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking for my friends, being on the water, and discovering new art, be it musical, visual, or cinematic. I owe one of my favorite lines to Gaston Miron: « à cause de toi / mon courage est un sapin toujours vert » ("Because of you / my courage is an evergreen tree”). I’m sensitive to various social struggles, and I love making new connections and caring for others. I’m very fond of Poetry in Voice, so I’m really looking forward to coming back as a chaperone for a second year and sharing this great and beautiful adventure with you!
Lauri Charbonneau
Hi, my name is Lauri (she/they), I'm an author as well as a poetry and theatre performer. I studied acting at the Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Québec and I'm the director of the organization Spoken Word Québec, where I produce totally unique and exciting literary soirées. I'm an excellent cook, I pet every dog I see on the street, I like to play pranks (within the limits of the law, of course), and I have over 40 plants in my house. I believe there is literature for all tastes and that words are gateways to other worlds. I've always wanted to live more than one life, so having the privilege of writing and telling stories is the best compromise. I can't wait to meet you!
YOUR LIFE360 GPS APP AND YOUR PHONES
From the time you arrive in Quebec City until you leave, you must:
- Join our Life360 GPS phone locator and tracker group for safety.
- Always keep your phone with you.
- Keep the app enabled for the duration of National Finals week.
YOUR PACKING LIST
- Pack for unpredictable, possibly cold weather.
- Bring layers, waterproof gear, and comfortable, warm shoes. There will still be snow in Quebec City in April.
- Pack a special outfit for National Finals. The event is formal, so dress as you would for a graduation or a celebratory holiday meal—whatever that means for you.
- A reusable water bottle and a tuque will be provided.
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT
Here are some ways that participants and their parents/guardians can share about and support PIV/LVP and National Finals:
- Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
- ’Friend’ our Recite Récite (staff account) on Facebook.
- Share our social media posts.
- Spread the word before, during, and after the National Finals.
- Share your National Finals photos and tag us.
- Our tags are #poetryinvoice and @PIVLVP.
- Be ready for interviews.
- If Julie Morin (PR Specialist) or Ariane Tapp (Co-Executive Director) contact you, your parent/guardian, and your teachers about media interviews, please respond as quickly as possible.