Industry Profiles

Industry Profile: Keri Miller
2026/07/20

The events industry is not for the faint of heart – just ask Keri Miller, chief creative strategist and partner at e=mc² events based in Calgary. “Beyond global market volatility, we are increasingly navigating pricing challenges tied to exclusive venue-vendor partnerships. This is creating significant pricing hurdles that increasingly threaten the viability of events, including long-standing ones,” she says. “No standardized pricing and a lack of transparency has always been a challenge and continues to be.” But those who…
Industry Profile: Carly Silberstein
2026/06/11

Like many people in the events industry, Cielle & Co CEO and founder Carly Silberstein fell into the profession and quickly discovered a passion for it. “I didn’t grow up knowing event management was a career path, which is one of the challenges we face as an industry. What drew me in was the combination of creativity, strategy, problem-solving, and people. I quickly realized events sit at the intersection of business, marketing, communications, hospitality, technology, and human connection,” says…
Industry Profile: Tim Oldfield
2025/11/12

For Tim Oldfield, event management is about making a difference: creating memorable moments, inspiring connections and helping people achieve their goals. “I find real satisfaction in seeing an event come together and knowing it made a lasting impact. Building strong relationships with clients, guests and my team is central to my approach,” says Oldfield, who joined Niagara Falls Convention Centre (NFCC) as president and general manager this past April. Oldfield says he was drawn to the NFCC by its…
Chef Profile: Karen O’Connor, Daniel et Daniel
2025/07/09

Chef Karen O’Connor has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, known for creating unique and memorable dishes for clients. Her work emphasizes creativity, attention to detail, and a passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences. Her career spans working in both catering and restaurants including well known establishments such as Bistro 990, The Rosewater Supper Club, Griffens and The Other Café. She joined Daniel et Daniel Catering in 1998. As executive chef, O’Connor leads Daniel et…
Industry Profile: Kathy Haley
2025/03/04

Kathy Haley is a dynamic and respected leader with more than 35 years of experience in customer experience and large-scale operations. Throughout her career, she has had opportunities to champion and collaborate on legacy projects – projects that have shaped the fabric of cities and regions in Canada and the US. When presented with the opportunity to join the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), she was excited to return to Toronto (her home town) to lead the centre. Haley…
Industry Profile: Julia O’Grady
2024/10/03

Since founding ITM Events in 2010, Julia O’Grady has not looked back. Her journey into the event industry began as a leap of faith when she realized event planning was not just a passion but a calling. “At the time, I was organizing events for family, friends, and charity organizations I volunteered with. It was something that genuinely excited me and came naturally,” she recalls. Growing her company and team, creating unforgettable events as well as being recognized with…
Chef Q&A: Christophe Luzeux, Halifax Convention Centre
2024/09/20

When it comes to meeting and event planning, chef Christophe Luzeux believes that understanding and fulfilling the client’s needs is important, especially when developing a menu tailored to their specific event. “Our goal is to create a unique culinary experience that not only meets but exceeds their expectations,” says Luzeux. “A key element of our culinary philosophy is a strong commitment to using local ingredients. My team and I are passionate about supporting local farmers and suppliers, and we…
Industry Profile: Laura Purdy
2024/05/30

Toronto’s Exhibition Place general manager Laura Purdy is a well-known leader in Canada’s exhibition and event management industry. Although working in the industry was not initially her plan, she has built a successful career over 35 years. “Convention centre management is a rewarding, exciting, and challenging career, where no day is ever the same,” she says. “Our team provides service delivery to multiple events, meetings, and exhibitions each week – all year long, and we have a unique opportunity…
Industry Profile: Bettyanne Sherrer
2024/05/16

Events bring people together to exchange ideas, share strategies and most importantly, to make connections. For Ontario event planner Bettyanne Sherrer, the most successful events are ones that change behaviours or open new doors. “It always amazes me to watch someone make a new connection that will lead them in a new direction, or build their business, or to watch someone change their mind because of something they learned or were challenged with. That is the magic of events…
Industry Profile: Mahoganey Jones
2024/01/10

After more than two decades in the event planning industry, Mahoganey Jones still wakes up each day with a real love for the job. “The event landscape is ever evolving and I love the opportunity to re-imagine a traditional event format,” says Jones, founder and CEO of Event Specialists in Toronto. “I am passionate about leveraging new technology to help me personalize the client journey and I am always focused on new engagement strategies that foster lasting connections and…

Venue & Supplier Profiles