News Around Town – February 2025

Welcome to our new members. We can’t wait to see you at our next in-person or virtual event and give you a “proper” welcome to the MPI Ottawa community!

• Brian Giles, Catering & Events Manager - Levy Restaurants
• Gioia Morin, Student - Algonquin College
• Harmeet Haar, Area Sales Manager - MasterBUILT Hotels
• Heather O'Meara, CMP, Meeting and Events Planner - MD Financial Management                                       
• Lydia Blanchard, Executive Director - Banff Forum (Welcome Back!)
• Rebecca Buschman, Student - Algonquin College
• Sarah Lightizer, Catering and Event Sales Manager – Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata
• Stefanie Burch, Director of Events - Stonebridge Community Association
• Susan Marcovitch, Director of Sales & Marketing - Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites Ottawa Downtown (Welcome Back!)

Looking for new opportunities to grow your business? Interested in collaborating on upcoming MPI Ottawa events? Click Here to check out our Ottawa Job Postings and Request for Proposals (RFPs) page!

Need to Renew your Membership?
Find out more at: www.mpi.org/join
For questions or further assistance, please contact help@mpi.org or call 866.318.2743
Apply for a Foundation Scholarship*: https://www.mpi.org/about/foundation

*WEC Scholarships coming in March

Industry News in General

How will U.S. tariffs impact Canada’s tourism industry?
Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada discusses how the threat of tariffs and a trade war could impact Canada's tourism industry.
Read More

How to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet (Planner's Version)
Ksenija Polla, Director, International Development, Talley Management Group, shares her top tips on how to make 2025 your most successful, balanced and bold year yet.
Listen to the latest episode of Dare to Interrupt now!

Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism
2025 March Break activities in Ottawa
Canada’s capital is a March Break mecca with its many cultural institutions, outdoor activities and indoor attractions. So gather the kids and come to experience some of the fun activities below for an epic March Break in Ottawa!
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Upcoming MPI Events

📅 Feb 27, 2025 – 2:00PM-4:00PM – Westin Ottawa
MPI Ottawa Chapter Roundtables

Join us for MPI Ottawa’s premier education event, the Educational Roundtables, on Thursday, February 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Westin Ottawa. This highly anticipated event provides a unique platform for dynamic discussions, sharing insights, and learning from industry peers.
Learn More

📅 Feb 27, 2025 – 5:30PM-10:00PM – Westin Ottawa
2025 Charity Auction & Dinner
Are you ready to make a difference? MPI Ottawa invites you to an evening of generosity, connection, and celebration at our annual Charity Auction and Dinner, where this year's theme is "United for Change: Together We Shape the Future."
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📅 Apr 3, 2025 – Sandman Signature Ottawa Airport Hotel
Global Meetings Industry Day 2025
Mark your calendars to join fellow MPI Ottawa Chapter members to celebrate the positive social and economic benefits of meetings and events this coming April.
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Upcoming Industry Events

📅Feb 24, 2025 to Feb 28, 2025

Ottawa Meet Week

Ottawa Meet Week is a four-day roller coaster consisting of events hosted by the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), Meeting Professionals International (Ottawa Chapter), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA Canada East Chapter), Destination Direct Canada and REVEAL Social.

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📅 Mar 4, 2025 – 12:30PM-3:00PM - Invest Ottawa

Breaking Barriers – Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Capital
As part of International Women’s Day, join us for a transformative event dedicated to addressing the inequalities women entrepreneurs face in accessing capital to grow their businesses.
Learn More

 Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services