Chronicling The Lessons Learned
Documenting the efforts and realities of Canadian event planners impacted by COVID-19
Video Library
36 unique interviews curated into a collection of brief, notable videos
Download The Report
Highlighting the efforts and realities of Canadian event planners as they worked to deconstruct or reconfigure events immediately impacted by the declaration of the global pandemic.
Meet The Planners
38 distinguished event planners from across Canada.
"Seeing the devastating impact that COVID-19 had on the events industry, we were inspired to document the efforts of Canadian event planners as they worked to deconstruct or reconfigure their events in the wake of the pandemic."
Video Library
36 unique interviews curated into
a collection of brief, notable videos
Set 1 (Episodes 1-8) Planners were required to become knowledgeable about COVID-19 to be able to very quickly react to and manage situations accordingly. Desperate, extraordinary times called for courage and focus.
Meet The Planners
38 Distinguished Event Planners from Across Canada
(listed alphabetically by first name)

TD Bank

Managing Partner
MCC Events

Formerly Director of Operations/Meeting Planner
The Bayley Group

CEO
Redstone Agency Inc.

Aston Events & Communications

Meetings Director
Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Say Something Communications Inc.

Verney Conference Management

CNT Management Group Inc.

Owner / CEO
Essentient Association Management

Verney Conference Management

Senior Events Coordinator
Executive Platforms

Acting Senior Program Manager
National Judicial Institute

SickKids Foundation

Director of Operations
KCI Management Inc.

Road Ahead Meetings & Events Inc.

Conference Manager
Canadian Association of General Surgeons

Queen Bee & Owner
ConventionAll Management Inc.

iSPARK Consulting Inc.

BookNet Canada

VP Global Accounts
ConferenceDirect

Manager Membership Education & Events
Ontario Nurses’ Association

President
Health Care Event Planning

Business Events Strategist
Marie Lou Coupal & Associates

Executive Director
Hillside Festival

Say Something Communications Inc.

President, Paradigm Events

Events Par Excellence Inc.

KCI Management Inc.

President & CEO
On Purpose Leadership Inc.

Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators

Former Managing Director
Downeast DMC

President
Agendum Inc.

Base Consulting and Management Inc.

Rock the Stars

Step In Marketing & Event Solutions

Pro Conference Advantage

Founder and President
TAP Resources
About the authors

Heather Reid
ARCT MSc
Founder & CEO, Planner Protect Inc.
CMEE Hall of Fame 2017 (Industry Innovator)

Heidi Wilker
B.Comm., CMP Emeritus
Retired Owner, Blessed Events
CMEE Hall of Fame 2020 (Industry Veteran)
“We are deeply honoured to have had a front row seat, side-by-side and week-by-week, to document the impacts of COVID-19 on our beloved Canadian meetings and events industry. Having engaged in over 36 hours of zoom interviews, and sifted through 962 pages of transcriptions, we have enjoyed every aspect of this privilege. We are in total AWE of the cross-section and quality of Canadian planners who responded to our call to participate; of the vulnerability and transparency they revealed while sharing their experiences; of the fortitude and resilience demonstrated by these planners and our Canadian events industry overall. We have brought this initiative from “a wee spontaneous thought” to a realized body of work, of which we are immensely proud. Our hope is that it provides some significant insight and potential information for further industry resources.”