I’m just somebody that likes honest conversations with people who are passionate about what they do and who are willing to wear their hearts on their sleeves a little bit more than normal.

Allow me a moment to introduce myself to those members who may not know me. I am Karen Norris, CMP, and currently the Interim CEO and Director of Strategy, Programs, and Services at the Canadian Dermatology Association. Here is a quick summary of my journey so far...

Dr. Altaf Sovani has been recognized as one of the 30 Most Influential Educators by the International Hospitality Institute for advancing hospitality education. In this article Dr. Sovani will discuss the Award nomination criteria and the importance of education in the industry.

On Thursday, February 9, 2023 the MPI Ottawa Chapter hosted our annual Charity Auction and Dinner at the Canadian Museum of History. The event took place in the gorgeous Grand Hall, where there were nearly 500 guests in attendance. This event would not have been possible without the support of our partners. First and foremost, we would like to extend our gratitude to our partners. Thank you all!

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

IPACs National Leadership Conference aims to provide leaders, practitioners, and academics working in public sector environments with the opportunity to connect with leading experts who successfully tackled disruption and change.

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

We are thrilled to share that the Event Management Program at Algonquin College of has launched a series of in-person fundraising events this March! Following the success of previous virtual events, their new intake of students has been trained to organize events that are both engaging and safe in today's landscape.

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

I knew I wanted this career path, before I even knew it was a career path. I knew I liked people, I liked having fun, I liked doing interesting things and I wanted other people to have a great time too. Back ‘in the day’ (aka High School) I was part of several committees and clubs, and to no one’s surprise, I liked to ‘organize’. Dances, cast parties, bake sales, graduation parties, cross border ski trips, themed house parties, epic cottage weekends, Road Rallies, nights out, all of it.

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Disa Cameron (disa.cameron@encoreglobal.com) to make a submission for the next issue!

I’ve always had a passion for event planning, but my journey started in 2020 when I began my first industry role as a meeting and events coordinator for the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa. In my coordinator role, I was responsible for all logistical and technical aspects of in-person meetings. Two years later, I am starting a new life chapter, relocating to Paris, France. I will be a Sales Manager at the Novotel Paris Centre Eiffel Tower.

Our committee works hard year-round on a number of networking events for the chapter, including the AGM in the Fall, the Festive Dinner around the Holidays, a Surprise Activity in the Winter, and the June Volunteer appreciation event during the June Summer Bash. We are currently planning a Themed Festive Dinner that will combine a dinner with fun activities to keep you entertained!

With a re-envisioned programming format, the conference sessions and events took place in multiple locations across the city including the Remai Modern, the Western Development Museum, Prairieland Parks, TCU Place, Wanuskewin, The Delta Downtown, The Delta Bessborough, and the Sheraton Cavalier; all while highlighting the walkability of our host city!

The biggest challenge in my career has been the slow adoption of hiring staff based on emotional quotients versus intelligence quotients. I have worked with some very bright individuals from an IQ perspective but who lack basic emotional intelligence. Our industry is 90% relationship based. Anyone can be taught how to build a budget or how to reply to an RFP bid. Lacking the ability to communicate with a team, manage stress and/or empathize with others will consistently be a barrier to a truly successful event and building a long-term partnership.

How is it September already? I’m hoping that you all had a wonderful summer and that you are ready for all that the fall brings. J’espère que vous avez passé un bel été et que vous êtes prêt pour tout ce que l’automne nous apportera.

This monthly article series allows MPI Ottawa Chapter members to share their recent professional and personal accomplishments with the MPI community by highlighting the News Around Town. Get in touch with Élodie Lortal (elodie.lortal@nac-cna.ca) to make a submission for the next issue!