Articles by Clare Tattersall

  • Election 2021: How the Parties Compare on Issues that Affect Events Professionals

    The countdown is on until Canada’s federal election — the first-ever held during a pandemic. Where do the parties stand on key issues that may affect meetings and events professionals? Here’s a breakdown (as of Sept. 7) of each platform, as it relates to the industry. Canadians can cast their vote Sept. 20. Advancing polling begins Sept. 10. Bloc Québécois The Bloc has called for a study of the impact of bankruptcies on small and medium-sized businesses, and would like…

  • Could Provinces’ Early Lifting of COVID Rules Set the Events Industry Back?

    In a matter of days, the Alberta government will lift all remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions that have been in place for most of the pandemic. As of Aug. 16, masks will be completely optional except in certain settings like acute care or continuing care facilities, and people who test positive for COVID-19 will not be required to quarantine anymore. Isolation hotels and quarantine support will also no longer be available and by month’s end, COVID-19 tests will only be…

  • What Events Industry Experts Think About the 2021 Federal Budget

    The Liberal government delivered its long-awaited budget last month, unveiling $101.4 billion in new spending. Supports were specifically promised to aid the recovery of Canada’s hard-hit tourism industry, which includes meetings and business events. It outlines $1 billion over three years for tourism, starting in 2021/2022; a $500-million Tourism Relief Fund to support investments by local tourism businesses in adapting to the pandemic; a $595-million Recovery Hiring Program to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or…

  • Venues Host What Could be Most Important Event of 21st Century

    Hard-hit by COVID-19, convention centres are once again seeing lines of people eagerly waiting to gain entry. But unlike in ‘normal’ times, they’re not there to attend a ‘typical’ event. Rather, thousands are flocking to these facilities to take a jab in the arm to protect themselves from the potentially deadly virus. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is among several events venues across the country that have pivoted for the public good. Canada’s largest convention and meeting facility opened…

  • Canadian City Seeks Accreditation as Safe Destination for Travel, Business

    Edmonton will soon be the first Canadian destination with a health and safety designation. Explore Edmonton is collaborating with its tourism and hospitality industries to pursue a city-wide Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star accreditation. “Edmonton’s tourism, hospitality and events industries will play an important role in our region’s post-COVID recovery, getting people back to work, welcoming travellers back to the city and delivering important economic and social benefits to our region,” says Maggie Davison, acting CEO of Explore Edmonton.…

  • New Plans Unveiled for Two Events Venues in Metro Vancouver

    Plans for Metro Vancouver’s newest events and convention centre are coming into focus. Burnaby city council outlined a potential direction for the facility last week. With a total floor area of 196,380 square feet, the concept features a 60,000-square-foot hall that could be used for a single event or reconfigured into two separate spaces to allow events to take place simultaneously. Other areas of the proposed venue include approximately 40,000 square feet of atrium lobby and pre-function space, 27,000 square feet…

  • Savvy Swag Bag Items that will Thrill Online Event Attendees

    Who doesn’t love free stuff? Other than printed collateral and overly branded products, most people welcome giveaways. And the cooler and more usable the gift, the greater lasting impression it will have on event attendees. Here are five items to consider including in the ever-popular swag bag, which has become an increasingly critical way to connect with registrants as events have moved online. Headphones or Earbuds Headphones or earbuds are handy for listening to seminars, they can be used long…

  • Five Hotel Openings to Look Forward to in 2021

    Canada’s hotels have been hammered by COVID-19, with occupancy rates falling as low as 18.8 per cent during the first full week of April 2020, so news of vaccine readiness in November was welcomed by the industry. As immunizations now rollout, there’s renewed hope that existing hotels will recover losses this year and new ones won’t have to offer the deep discounts that have become all too commonplace to fill suites. But although optimistic, there’s no certainty this will be…

  • Pandemic Positives? Event Venues Pivot for Public Good

    Convention centres have been hit hard by COVID-19, with many still seeing staff layoffs and rising budget deficits nine months into the pandemic. Although a coronavirus vaccine is on the way, there’s still a long road ahead as it may be summer or even longer until the vaccine is available to everyone. And then, even after the health crisis is under control, attendees may not flock back to in-person events, at least right away. As a result, venues are expected…

  • How Contracts and Negotiations have Changed with COVID-19

    The events industry was among the first sectors hit by the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover, forcing many event professionals to cancel or postpone scheduled events. In the process, it has raised questions (and concern) around contracts and ensuing obligations. Here, Heather Reid, founder and CEO of Planner Protect, an Ontario-based contract review agency that negotiates event contracts for organizations and those hosting events, fields Corporate Meetings Network’s questions on this all-too important topic during…