People & Profiles

Profile: Alex Bickers

2022/02/24

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on many businesses – forcing closures and layoffs around the world. The restrictions on our social interaction have been dramatic with stay-at-home orders, isolation, quarantine, and social distancing. Naturally, these restrictions have hit the events industry the hardest. But event planning businesses have found different and innovative ways to still bring people together to share experiences. The adoption of technology and the steady rise in the number of virtual events have…
Profile: Lyndsay Munholland

2021/11/01

For Lyndsay Munholland, the best aspect of event planning is finally getting to execute an event that she has “poured her heart and soul” into for months and sometimes years. “There’s nothing like seeing and hearing reactions from attendees, especially about little details that are often overlooked. Most people won’t notice that the striped linens are all laid on the tables at a perfect 45 degree angle or that you splurged and went with the safety snap-away lanyards. But…
Transform Your Employer Brand Experience

2021/10/29

In the modern age of employer brand building, companies are racing to keep up with the sentiments and creative needs of employees. We know first-hand that emotionally engaged employees take better care of your customers and strive harder to fulfill the mission of the brand. So, it only makes sense for companies to double down on their efforts to invest in their employees and generate a powerful employer brand experience. Events are a strategic and creative way to engage…
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Live Events

2021/10/18

Today, more than ever, cultivating a meaningful and intentional culture of inclusion and belonging for live events is essential to building community and making deep impacts. The most creative, strongest and resilient communities are those that are comprised of diverse kinds of people, from across all demographics. Whether you are designing an event to attract large crowds of people or to serve a particular small group, a common objective can be found: to create a sense of belonging and…
Ken Jattan joins GSS Security

2021/10/04

Ken Jattan has joined GSS Security as consultant, special events and crisis management. His extensive knowledge of venues as event spaces is an invaluable addition to the security planning process. With more than 30 years in the exposition and events industry, Jattan’s experience spans across the fields of event management, customs and logistics, and registration and hospitality across Canada and the US. Jattan is an active member of the Canadian Association of Exposition Management and has volunteered his time on…
4 Steps to a Successful Virtual Brainstorming Session

2021/03/22

We’re now more than a year into the pandemic and many people continue to work from home. Unsurprisingly, companies are experiencing communication challenges and, in some instances, full-on breakdowns within their teams. Protocol-driven online meetings that were intended to improve the exchange of information and collaboration may actually be undermining those things. Now is the time to switch out unnecessary Zoom check-ins for powerful, synergistic sessions with your team members. Virtual brainstorming is critical for uncovering gold mines of inspirational solutions…
Best Practices for Onboarding New Employees Remotely

2020/12/02

From pet cameos on video calls to virtual office parties, the ‘new normal’ of remote work comes with some interesting realities. With many teams continuing to work from home for the foreseeable future, remote onboarding of new team members is becoming inevitable for growing companies. It’s no minor task considering the way you choose to welcome an employee can have a lasting impact on their job satisfaction and ability to excel. But without the usual in-person introductions, office tours and…
Black in Events Marks Launch with Worldwide Virtual Event

2020/08/17

A new global network for black professionals working in the events industry is set to make its official debut at its first-ever virtual event. On Aug. 19, from 12:00-1:45 p.m. EST, Black in Events will host ‘Accelerating Change in the Business of Events.’ The group’s mission is to bring awareness and opportunities to a growing and underrepresented group in the billion-dollar sector. “Black people are consistently marginalized in events industry roles and it’s not because we’re not here; rather, we’re…
A New Chapter at Centre Mont-Royal

2019/05/28

Q&A with the Montreal venues new general manager 19 years after joining Centre Mont-Royal’s founding team, Luis Ribeiro is now general manager of the iconic Montreal venue. We reached out to learn his plans and discover what’s next for the city’s premier event destination. Now that you’ve had a few months to settle into your new role, what’s on your radar? My priority as general manager is to keep the Centre steady and moving in the right direction, which our…
Inclusion, Diversity and Fresh Perspectives

2018/10/05

Excerpt from Intentional Event Design, Our Professional Opportunity As we see movement of our stakeholder expectations from event to experience in a world where global migration and ease of travel ensures a diverse mix of participants will be in attendance, we require a rethink of our traditional skill sets. While all the basic skills from budgeting, site selection, contracting, logistics and design must be solid, there is so much more. Building Experience Delivery Teams Who are the right people to…