The highs, lows and everything in between
Join ILEA Calgary for an engaging panel discussion where seasoned event professionals come together to share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned from their dynamic careers. We'll dive into the ups and downs of the event industry, explore the evolving landscape of event planning, and discover the crucial do's and don'ts when organizing large-scale events.
Panelists will share personal anecdotes, industry trends, and practical advice, providing valuable guidance to both aspiring and established event professionals. They will shed light on their own journeys, highlighting pivotal moments, challenges, and experiences that have shaped their careers. From overcoming logistical hurdles to dealing with demanding clients, our panelists will discuss the realities of the field, offering valuable insights that go beyond the glamour often associated with event planning.
Meet the speakers:
Emma Blake - Strategic Events Manager, United Way of Calgary and Area
Emma Bake, CMP, is a dedicated event professional with over 15 years of experience delivering exceptional corporate events to audiences across the globe. She currently serves as the Strategic Events Manager for United Way of Calgary and Area and has held previous event management roles with the Alberta Mortgage Brokers Association, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the TED Conferences. A born and raised Calgarian, Emma loves spending time outdoors with her husband and dog, travelling to new countries (she’s visited nearly 40 so far), pop-culture gossip, and a nice glass of red wine. |
Ciara Glendon - Food & Beverage Manager, The Glencoe Club
Ciara Glendon has a long history in the event industry and ILEA. Previously planning weddings and events around the world, Ciara is now the Food & Beverage Manager at The Glencoe Club. Ciara and her team recently won Canadian Event Awards’ Most Outstanding Event $150,000-$350,000, for their member appreciation event, Splendour- A Celebration of Celebrations. This event welcomed 1800+ members and along with an amazing team of vendors, they transformed 11 different areas of the Club with unique themes, décor, entertainment, food and beverage. Ciara is also an ILEA Calgary Past President.
Cindy Good - Manager, Events & Hosting, Tourism Calgary
A self-professed ‘super-extrovert’, Cindy Good was drawn to the world of events and discovered that her attention to detail and organization skills made her a perfect fit. Cindy worked as a wedding planner both in Calgary, at the Wedding Pavillion and in Cabo San Lucas Mexico for Sunset Weddings and Signature Weddings. Upon returning to Calgary, Cindy joined Tourism Calgary as the Manager of Events and Hosting and now focuses on corporate events; her passion is the Calgary White Hat Awards. Under her stewardship, the program has expanded to approx. 700 nominations every year with a 1,500 person awards gala every May. She is also very active on industry boards and events and as a volunteer as a White Hat Ceremony volunteer. Humour, heritage and community are the foundation that Cindy has built her life in Calgary on.
Moderator: Megan Sawchuk - President, Megan Sawchuk Weddings
Megan Sawchuk, PhD, CSEP is the creative producer behind Megan Sawchuk Weddings. Megan believes in taking a collaborative approach with her clients to produce weddings that reflect her clients and give them a memorable experience.
In Support of
When
Where
Glencoe Club
636 29 Ave SW
Calgary AB T2S0P1
Canada
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