Our Executive Committee consists of professional event planners who volunteer their time and years of experience. Each year CanSPEP members elect an Executive to serve a two-year term. Board members can remain on the board for four consecutive years. Nominations are solicited each year in June, with elections held in August.
President
AGENDUM Inc.
rplaskett@agendum.ca
Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM, has been in the meeting industry for over 20 years. Rita is one of few Canadians to hold both the CMP and CMM designations. Rita is the principle in her own meeting management firm called “AGENDUM.” AGENDUM’s focus is on partnering with clients to identify goals, while delivering the most strategic approach to the client’s objectives. Prior to opening her own firm, Rita was Senior Consultant Meetings Consolidation as well as Manager of Operations for the Automotive Group for Maritz Canada. Prior to Maritz, Rita was Director of Conferences for The Pinnacle Group and Director of Conference, Education and Public Relations for The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Through these ever changing times, Rita and her AGENDUM Inc. team are focused on strategically assisting her clients to focus on the business of meetings while delivering efficient and effective meetings. One of the areas of importance to Rita is our industry’s future. She currently teaches part-time at George Brown College in the Hospitality and Meeting Management program and in 2006 won the “Award for Teaching Excellence”. Rita is Past Chairwoman of the MPI Global Foundation, and was awarded both the Toronto Chapter Planner of the Year, as well as MPI Toronto Chapter’s President’s Award. Rita was inducted into the Meeting Industry Hall of Fame as “Industry Innovator” in 2010
Past-President
RTG Special Events
rtgevents@rogers.com
Rose Timmerman-Gitzi brings to the table over 10 years experience in event management and production. Combining a solid background in corporate event planning in times of growth and transition with experience supporting critical initiatives in the public sector, Rose has designed and produced a wide spectrum of successful social, public, and corporate events, with budgets ranging from the very small to over $1M. As well as superb organizational skills, Rose brings warmth, humour, flexibility and consummate people skills to all her projects.
VP Marketing
Elements of Success.
elementsofsuccess@bell.net
Event Management/Planning, Incentive Programs, Public Relations Management, Sponsorship, Political Campaigns.
I have coordinated a number of events from sports NFL American Bowl, Ladies PGA, to concerts for 30 to 40,000 and food and wine festivals. Created Incentive Programs for groups of 10 to 150 and provided site inspections for clients both in Canada and the US.
Secretary/Treasurer
Arato Entertainment and Events
debbie@aratoevents.com
Since launching Arato Entertainment & Events in 2001, Debbie Arato has organized world-wide events for clients ranging from small businesses to multi-national corporations. Her extensive knowledge of the entertainment industry has made her a leader in the corporate entertainment and event industry.
Debbie has been a guest speaker at Ryerson University, lectured at the Learning Annex and has spoken at industry related conferences. In 2004, Debbie was awarded the Certified Special Events Professional designation, only the eleventh Canadian to receive this designation at that time. The CSEP, the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry, is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics.
.
VP Education
Roni Feldman & Associates Inc.
rfeldman@rfa-dmcservices.com
Whether looking for meeting or destination management services, Roni Feldman & Associates Inc. will design and produce the perfect program for you! We provide any or all of the services and extras that will complement your program such as optional tours, special events, transportation, and those extra special services that can complete the perfect gathering.
VP Membership
Blessed Events
hwilker@blessedevents.ca
Meeting and conference planning tailored for religious and non-profit organizations. Specializing in site selection, contract negotiation, securing suppliers and start-to-finish logistical planning. A cost-effective and efficient way for non-profit organizations to achieve successful events.
VP Communication
Imagination+Meeting Planners Inc.
biback@imaginationmeetings.com
With over 25 years of experience and imagination we will plan an entire conference from objective to evaluation. Clients include both corporate and association markets. Our meeting essentials division trains, facilitates and teaches meeting planning basics from A-Z specializing in the training of Admin. Assistants "Thrown to the Wolves" and government agencies. We specialize in analyzing your conference and making recommendations based on your requirements and accepted industry standards, bridging the gap between attendees objectives and client objectives. Winner of first-ever CanSPEP award for excellence in Mentoring.
.
VP Partnership
Catherine Paull Meeting Management Inc.
catherine@cpmm.ca
Catherine Paull Meeting Management Inc. has one mission: to guarantee success by focusing on the details. As a full-spectrum professional meeting and conference management firm, we've built a reputation on our experience, creativity and our reliability. The key to our success is no secret: from concept to completion our personalized service brings a team together to create solutions tailored to your unique needs. The result is a meeting or conference that not only educates and inspires, but also aligns with your organization's strategic objectives.
VP Chapter Relations
Innovative Conferences & Communications
hreid@innovcc.ca
INNOVATIVE CONFERENCES & COMMUNICATIONS is a full-service event management company that offers dedicated one-to-one support in all facets of the planning journey. Established by Heather E Reid in 2000, after 6 years as the National Administrator for a non-profit association, Innovative Conferences & Communications has handled numerous conference events from 250 - 800 delegates. Innovative Conferences & Communications offers expertise in facility and supplier selections, tradeshows, sponsorship, food and beverage planning, faculty contracts, registration services, promotions and marketing, and much, much more. Innovative Conferences & Communications is a small business with a big desire to exceed all of its clients' expectations. When the smallest of details is critical…contact INNOVATIVE CONFERENCES & COMMUNICATIONS.