News Around Town – May 2021

Member Announcements

We would like to extend a warm welcome to three new members.

Capryce Bourdon-Murphy is a graduate of the Event Management Program at Algonquin College. New to the industry, Bourdon-Murphy is looking to build her skills and knowledge in the event management industry.

Lauren Nguyen has also completed the Events Management Program at Algonquin College. Nguyen currently works as an administrative assistant at dentalcorp.

John Hudson is the CEO of LumaOne, a platform that uses video, interactivity and data to engage customers and employees to create outstanding results.

Congratulations to Shivani Pandya for her new position as a Marketing & Communications Coordinator at International Conference Services | ICS Events.

State of the Industry

Federal Budget Released

On April 9, the Government of Canada revealed the federal budget. Here are some highlights pertaining to our industry:

• Extension of the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to September 25, 2021
• $100 million allocated to Destination Canada
• $200 million for major festivals
• $200 million through Canadian Heritage to support local festivals and smaller scale events
• $500 million for a Tourism Relief Fund (more information will be shared when it is known)
• Mention of potential future infrastructure projects for the National Capital Region.

Stay-at-Home Order

On Thursday, May 13, Premier of Ontario Doug Ford announced an extension of the Stay-at-Home Order until at least June 2. All previous restrictions are still applicable until otherwise announced.

Ontario Rapid Testing

The Ontario Government, in partnership with the federal government and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, has launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative for small and medium-sized businesses across the province. In Ottawa, this Initiative will provide free rapid antigen tests for employees of small and medium-sized businesses through the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBoT). Contact OBoT now to secure a free supply of tests to keep your workers safe and your business operating.

The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) is pleased to offer two complimentary training sessions to certain tourism and hospitality businesses. Participants will be approved based on their occupation within the accommodation and food sectors. OTEC’s Leadership Series will assist emerging and existing leaders to take their skills to the next level and build a stronger workforce during these challenging times. The second training option is OTEC’s Resiliency Series, which will address worker skill gaps and help build a more resilient workforce to welcome back visitors in the future.

For more information, contact Kelly Brintnell at kbrintnell@OTEC.org.

Industry News in General

Québec City Convention Centre Presents New Broadcasting Room

With agility and flexibility as the name of the game in these pandemic times, the Québec City Convention Centre is proud to present its new multifunctional broadcasting room, which has been designed for hosting hybrid and virtual events of all kinds. Always proactive, the Convention Centre adapts to the changing realities currently facing the convention and meeting industry—all while addressing the current and future needs of event planners.

Designed in partnership with Encore, a leader in audiovisual solutions and technologies, the broadcasting space is located in one of the four sections of the Convention Centre’s 25,000 square feet Multipurpose Hall 2000. It is equipped with a huge stage, an impressive decor, LED screen areas, stage and technical equipment, and a lighting and sound system. The broadcasting space is versatile and can be transformed to accommodate up to 250 participants while respecting the two-meter physical distancing requirement.

For more information, click here: Québec events exclusive offer: Dare to change! | Meet Québec City or send an email to Lynn Chiasson, Assistant Director, Sales at lchiasson@convention.qc.ca.

It Pays to Meet in Ottawa!

Ottawa Tourism and participating partners are ready to provide financial support when planners need it most, to help you meet your future meeting goals. The Together Again program welcomes the safe return of business events to Ottawa with a generous package of discounts and incentives for future meetings of 10 or more people with a minimum of 20 guestrooms. These savings apply to any meetings booked and actualized before December 30, 2021.

Benefits are:

• Starting at $50 OFF per room actualized for one qualifying meeting
• No cancellation fees
• No attrition
• Discount on audio visual.

For more information, click here: It pays to meet in Ottawa in 2021 | Ottawa Tourism

Upcoming Industry Events

MPI Montréal/Québec

Believe: La survie de l’industrie, l’avenir de l’évènementiel
Believe: The survival of our industry, the future of events

Wednesday, June 9 from 12 pm to 1 pm (EDT) (in French)

What is the future for the event industry? This past year has shaken things up: new practices, new tools and new objectives. The rules of our industry are constantly changing, forcing us to adapt again and again. In this session, members will be able to share their vision of the future of events in a discussion with the Montréal/Québec Chapter’s Board of Directors and other industry professionals.

To register, click here: Believe : La survie de l'industrie, l'avenir de l'événementiel.

MPI Toronto

Professional Development – Decoding the Future: What Comes Next?
Wednesday, June 9 from 1 pm to 2:15 pm (EDT)

The future will find us, but will we find the future?

MPI Toronto Chapter presents a professional development session which will take a deep dive into the future of work, and how we can ride the wave of disruptive change instead of being swallowed by it.

As we head into a period of “The Great Transformation”, failure to adapt will mean failure to exist. While scientific hyper collaboration is the new normal, so is “remote everything” which will have lasting implications for the live events industry and far beyond.

To register, click here: Professional Development - June 9, 2021 - Decoding the Future: What Comes Next?

MPI Ottawa

Networking – Monthly DIY 💥
Thursday, June 10^th from 4pm to 5pm (EDT)

Looking to connect with fellow #eventindustry peers? Catch up on the latest industry news, share recent virtual event wins, take-aways? Well we have you covered!

📅 Join us Thursday, June 10 on Zoom from 4-5pm (EDT) to take part in the popular virtual DIYs! 
👍Open to both members and non-members 
💸FREE to attend
✨Attendance by drop in & no registration required 
❌no formal schedule or presentations
✔️ simply catch up with friends and share some laughs and support

Get all the details and the Zoom link here:https://lnkd.in/gb89kjg

Keep an eye on the MPI Ottawa Chapter LinkedIn Group and the MPI Ottawa Chapter website for information on upcoming events.

MPI Global – World Educational Congress (WEC) (hybrid event)

Caesars Forum in Las Vegas
June 15 - 17

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our profession was shaken to its core. After a year that put gatherings on hold, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. But, what does the future of meetings and events look like? More importantly, what if YOU could take an active role in planning, designing and shaping it?

WEC Vegas at Caesars Forum is your opportunity to get together with your peers, roll up your sleeves, sharpen your pencils and draw up the blueprint of what the future of your profession looks like. With last year’s WEC Grapevine, MPI safely and effectively convened a hybrid experience to demonstrate how to meet safely and lead our industry to recovery.

To register, click here: Personal Information - WEC Las Vegas.

 Article written by Elodie (Morini) Lortal, BHM, CMP, National Arts Centre | Centre national des Arts

Article edited by Melanie Hudson, retired MPI Ottawa member