When I founded my event business in 1988, there were only five event planning companies in Vancouver, British Columbia. Fast forward to today, and I recently heard there are more than 700. It seems everyone is an event planner these days — caterers, florists, DJs, audiovisual companies, and countless others. At least, that’s what they claim. But are they really?
When I started Bright Ideas Event Agency, I was completely on my own. I had no formal training, no internet, no cell phone, and certainly no event planning courses to guide me. The industry was still in its infancy, and many of us were learning through experience rather than education.
So how did I survive? I networked. Relentlessly.
I carried business cards everywhere I went and perfected my elevator pitch. I attended industry functions, introduced myself to strangers, and looked for opportunities to learn. Yet despite my determination, something was missing. I needed guidance. I needed a mentor.
A friend introduced me to Shelley Leonhardt, who managed events for the City of Richmond. We connected immediately, and she became both my mentor and business coach. Having someone in my corner was transformative. I finally had someone I could ask questions, bounce ideas off, and turn to when I was unsure of my next step.
Over the years, Shelley helped me navigate challenges, build confidence, and grow Bright Ideas Event Agency into one of Canada’s leading event production firms. She didn’t do the work for me, but she provided something equally valuable: a roadmap.
That experience taught me the incredible impact a mentor can have on someone’s career.
About a decade later, I was approached by a university in France that was seeking international placements for event-planning students. The students were required to spend six months abroad working within an event agency. The opportunity appealed to me immediately. As someone who loves both travel and learning from different cultures, I agreed. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
What began as an internship program quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. Over the years, I welcomed students from Germany, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Korea, Poland, Ukraine, and many other countries. The experience enriched not only their lives, but mine as well.
At the beginning of each internship, I would sit down with the students and ask a simple question: “What do you hope to achieve during your time here?”
Their answers varied. Some wanted to improve their English. Others wanted to understand the fundamentals of event planning. Many were curious about entrepreneurship and wanted to learn how I built my business from the ground up.
Whatever their goals, I believed it was my responsibility to help them succeed. Together, we developed achievable objectives that aligned both with their personal aspirations and our agency’s needs. The result was a structured, supportive environment where they could learn, contribute, and grow professionally.
For anyone mentoring interns or emerging event professionals, here are five lessons I have learned over the years:
1. Clearly define their role. Provide a written job description so expectations are understood from the start.
2. Assign them to a smaller team. A supportive environment builds confidence and encourages participation.
3. Set realistic and achievable goals. Success builds momentum and motivates continued growth.
4. Provide regular feedback. Frequent check-ins help interns understand their progress and identify opportunities for improvement.
5. Support their future career. A thoughtful evaluation and letter of reference can open doors long after the internship ends.
Mentorship has always been close to my heart. In 2023, I was honoured with a Woman of Inspiration Award, and the recognition resonated deeply with me. To inspire others is not simply about sharing knowledge; it is about encouraging people to believe in their own potential.
Over the years, I have mentored more than 250 interns from around the world. While I taught them about event planning, they taught me just as much about resilience, ambition, and the value of diverse perspectives.
If there is one lesson I have learned throughout my 38 years in business, it is this: success becomes far more meaningful when it is shared. Whether you are just beginning your career or have decades of experience behind you, never underestimate the power of helping someone else find their path.
You may never fully realize the impact you have made, but I can assure you, they will remember.
Sharon Bonner is a multi-award winning event producer, event strategy consultant and published author who founded Bright Ideas Event Agency in 1988. In 2022, she launched Sharon Bonner Consulting to assist clients in producing their own quality events. In June 2024, Sharon was awarded the Woman of Inspiration Award in Toronto. Sharon was nominated in 2025 for an Industry Career Achievement Award at the HALL OF FAME – CMEE in Toronto, Ontario.
