News Around Town – February 2021

Member Announcements

Congratulations to Janet Maslin for starting a new position as Show Director, Energy Events at Hannover Fairs (Canada) Inc.

Senior event planner with an event management certificate and over 25 years of hands-on experience managing conferences, trade shows, golf tournaments and board meetings.

Congratulations to Joanne St-Pierre for starting a new position as Project Director at Agora Opus3 | Directrice de projets chez AGORA OPUS3. 

Joanne’s greatest motivation is to help her clients realize their event organizing visions/goals by resourcefully planning and executing timely events from the simplest to the most complex.

Member Updates

Featured in the Article:  How Ottawa meeting planners are creating engaging virtual events

“Great start to the week reading the article from Ottawa Business Journal that I was interviewed for. Shoutout to the Centre Shaw Centre, Karen Wiersma and Patrick Turcot for bringing these events to life! It was a pleasure working with you both.” - Gabrielle Whittaker, Events Specialist at Kinaxis & Director, Member Events at MPI Ottawa

Read More: https://obj.ca/article/ThinkOttawa-sponsored-how-ottawa-meeting-planners-are-creating-engaging-virtual-events

MPI Ottawa Chapter - Call for Volunteers

We are currently seeking a Chair of Chapter News and Views!

Would you like to be a member of a dynamic team?

Every successful organization is credited to the people who lead them. The MPI Ottawa Chapter is operated by volunteer engagement.  From the President, to the Directors, to Committee and the Committee Chairs. We couldn't engage with our membership and host our ongoing memorable events without them!  

Reasons to volunteer:

• Develop or Learn New Skills by volunteering alongside industry veterans and engage in mentoring opportunities
• Networking in a community environment
• Both fun and challenging to be a part of the MPI team
• Meaningful contribution to our local meetings and events community

Ready to take up this challenge? Contact us today by going to the MPI Ottawa website and complete the Volunteer Now Form.

Industry News and Updates

Apply for a Foundation scholarship: https://www.mpi.org/about/foundation

Join MPI or renew your membership today.  www.mpi.org/join

For questions or further assistance, please contact kestrada@mpi.org, help@mpi.org or call 866.318.2743. They are here to help!

Apply for a Foundation scholarship: https://www.mpi.org/about/foundation

Event Design Collective - DESIGN TO CHANGE

“A good conversation can shift the direction of change forever” – Would you leave it to chance?  New book teaser available:  https://edco.global/change/

Upcoming EDCO workshops:  

• INTRODUCTION (TASTER SESSIONS)
• LEVEL 1
• LEVEL 3 (MEMBERS OF MPI WILL RECEIVE A DISCOUNT)

Additional Event Design Collective Resources available here:  https://edco.global/download/

Hybrid events are paving new ways of doing business

Hybrid events allow planners and participants to reach more people. Having the ability to engage more businesses, thought leaders and decision-makers, has long-term benefits and immediate short-term benefits as well. Planners and show organizers benefit by understanding how to uncover those benefits in a way that enriches both the on-site and remote experiences. In this guide, we’ve developed a framework to help you do just that!

Hybrid events have also increased in popularity simply because participants expect a certain amount of flexibility to attend a meeting in-person or to have the option to attend virtually. Today’s event customer experience needs to meet participants at their comfort level.

Hybrid events are the norm, for everyone, for the foreseeable future. The good news is, you’re not alone. The great news is, there are resources to meet you exactly where you are, like this one:

Download The Hybrid Event Handbook

Upcoming Industry Events

Find out more about our upcoming Chapter events: https://www.mpi.org/chapters/ottawa/education-events/upcoming-events



The “Round Tables”, one of the most popular MPI Ottawa educational sessions, won’t be stopped by this pandemic! The proven format for success of small-group dialogues on key industry topics will be transferred online. Using an interactive platform, the round tables promise to drive knowledge, while building networks and capacity.

Each table will feature a topic and be hosted by an industry specialist who attended WEC and feels well-versed in the subject matter. This table host will lead the group through dynamic discussions.

Participants will have an opportunity to participate in two round table discussions/lessons from WEC. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect in smaller groups, on current topics and share best practices.

Date:  Thursday, February 25, 2021
Event Timing: 12:30 - 2:30 pm EST

Location: Online
Dress/Attire: Business Casual

Registration Fees *
Member - $30.00
Non Member - $40.00
Student - $15.00

Register Today!

the EVENT
Stronger. Wiser. Safer.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND THE EVENT? IT'S SIMPLE!

The education opportunities will ensure you will be
Stronger, Wiser and Safer.

• Virtually interact with your event community
• Learn new ideas, share best practices and have some fun
• Choose from 25+ sessions while experiencing new learnings and techniques

ANNOUNCING: MAIN EVENT SPEAKERS

Full Speaker Lineup
EARLY BIRD PRICING IS STILL AVAILABLE…  & PLANNERS, CHECK OUT THE INITIATIVE

#SWS21

the-EVENT.ca

MPI OTTAWA MONTHLY DIY’s

JOIN US Every Second Thursday of the Month from 4:00pm to 5:00pm!  Open to both Members and Non-Members.  A casual meet up on Zoom to chat and share our Quaran-tales.  Zoom Meeting ID: 857 6870 5569   *Be sure to follow us on our social media channels for more details and updates

Article written by Disa-marie Cameron, Encore

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