| SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 03.16.09 3:34 PM |
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| Toronto Event and Meeting Planners Gather for an Action-Packed Day of Event Inspiration |
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| FROM TORONTO Rain didn’t stop more than 1,400 event and meeting planners and suppliers from gathering at the Direct Energy Centre on February 11, 2009, for the eighth annual BizBash Event Style Expo. The show provided attendees the opportunity to network, get inspired, have some fun, and find new ideas at education sessions, exhibits, a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and a cocktail reception.
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Attendees and exhibitors exchanged ideas on the packed show floor.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Rocco, a four-year-old Bald Eagle, spread his wings for Ellie Dufresne, Education Director of the Canadian Raptor Conservancy.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | BizBash honored 2009 Hall of Fame inductees (from left) Patricia Lakin, Cameron Hawkins, and Samantha Brickman.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Circus Orange performed a fire dance on the main stage.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Decor & More sponsored the modern lounge, where attendees relaxed between sessions.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Jordan Bitove delivered the day's opening keynote.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Planners packed the education session titled "Ready for Anything: Event Contingency Planning."
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Planners visited ISES's booth for information.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Sound Plus Show Systems demonstrated itss sound and lighting equipment.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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 | Zero Gravity's aerialist enchanted planners with high-flying acrobatics.
Photo: Flow Photography |
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The action-packed day started at 7:30 a.m., when Streampoint’s registration area opened, staffed by The Butler Did It. A team from Eastmond Security met entering attendees and handled security for the event. Decor and More styled chic water features, including BizBash-branded facades, at the entrance to the show.
More than 250 planners attended educational sessions throughout the day, on topics ranging from event marketing and design and decor trends to the Vancouver Winter Olympics and emergency preparedness. Strut Entertainment coordinated the diverse group of speakers for the well-attended sessions. Centerplate provided breakfast and lunch for the conference program attendees, and Westbury National Show Systems provided audiovisual equipment for the education rooms. Modern seating, provided by Luxe Modern Rentals Inc., consisted of clear Ghost and leather-back chairs.
Mark Lewis and Peter Bambridge, president and vice president, respectively, of Jet Set Sports, kicked off the morning sessions at 8:30 a.m., discussing sports marketing in a session titled “The Vancouver Olympics: Insight into the World of Hospitality and Getting Your Brand Involved Now.”
Also at 8:30 a.m., BizBash president Richard Aaron, Sgt. Scott Roberts of the Toronto Police Service, and Jeff Gay, director of event management services for Exhibition Place, led discussions about emergency preparedness for event planners. The session was titled “Ready for Anything: Event Contingency Planning.”
Planners were intrigued by “Planning Successful Nonprofit Events/Galas in Challenging Times.” Patricia Lakin, director of national events for Bell Canada; Shelly Anwyll, director of Corporate Partnerships for SickKids; Mary Proulx, vice president of regional marketing and fund development for Kids Help Phone; and Tammy Robbinson, development manager for Women’s Habitat, were panelists for the packed session.
The general session opened at 10:30 a.m. with music mixed by Third From the Sun, followed by a performance by Circus Orange, which put on a lively display that included fire and smoke effects.
The 2009 BizBash Toronto Hall of Fame inductions honored Samantha Brickman, president of MAS Communications; Cameron Hawkins, president of Cameron Hawkins & Associates and C.O.O. of Vision|Co; and Lakin, director of national events for Bell Canada.
Vision|Co. C.E.O. Jordan Bitove delivered the morning keynote. Bitove shared his personal experiences and involvement in the Vancouver Olympics, and a 3-D walkthrough of the Hockey Association Pavilion plans and design was a highlight of the day.
The trade show floor officially opened at 11 a.m.—although some eager planners hit the floor early—and featured 75 event suppliers displaying the latest event planning products and offerings. From fountains to furniture to production companies to venues, the floor was lively and gave exhibitors the opportunity to connect. Exposition services and exhibitor management were provided by Stronco. Excitement was evident all over the show floor, as suppliers and venues met with customers, made new contacts, and showcased their products.
The main-room stage was furnished with new Ice chairs from Decor and More, and accented with lighting designed by Westbury National Show Systems. Westbury also supplied all audiovisual equipment, making for a full multimedia experience.
The main lounge in the center of the trade show floor was designed by Decor and More, and featured a large water element surrounded by regal purple carpeting. Sleek, modern furniture, accented by oversize crystal sphere lighting overhead, offered the perfect spot for attendees to relax.
Attendees flocked to two mini sessions held on the trade show floor. Holly Cybulski, publicity director at Strut Entertainment, gave participants insight into creating a successful publicity campaign, after which God Made Me Funky took the stage and brought the energy up another notch. Decor and More president Leslie Bell gave attendees a quick lesson on developing their own event design vision with tight budgets. After Leslie’s session, Zero Gravity performed an aerial act that wowed seasoned planners and newcomers alike. The main-stage entertainment was rounded out by Funny Business Inc. and Yuk Yuk’s On Tour, who performed a comic act with many laughs.
In the “Power Entertaining With Food & Wine” session, Roger Mooking, celebrity TV chef and executive chef/co-owner of Nyood and Kultura Social Dining; Sean Baille, sommelier and general manager of Kultura; and Kelly Burns-Coady, marketing director for Ontario for Moët-Hennessy Portfolio, showed guests how to create special experiences in their next business meeting.
Also at 2 p.m., Peter Rosenberger, managing partner at the Sports Alliance, and Mark Healy, partner at Torque Customer Strategy, discussed “Capturing the Youth Market With High-Concept Events.”
The show neared its close at 3:15 p.m., as the Canadian Raptor Conservancy entertained the audience with majestic winged creatures such as owls, hawks, and falcons, and educated everyone on conservation of the birds and their habitats, while demonstrating some pretty amazing tricks.
The final keynote presentation of the day was “Trend-Spotting With the BizBash Editors.” Chad Kaydo, BizBash’s editor in chief, and Susan O’Neill, senior editor and Toronto bureau chief, shared the latest trends from events and meetings across all of BizBash’s markets.
The information-packed, inspirational day came to a close when attendees were invited to a networking cocktail reception, hosted by Cerise Fine Catering. Hors d’oeuvres included tea sandwiches, goat cheese and caramelized shallot tarts, and petits fours. Prosecco and specialty cocktails were passed as planners mixed and mingled around living statues from Zero Gravity and enjoyed ambient beats by Third From the Sun.
Guests were accommodated by Sheraton Centre Toronto. Photographers from Flow Photography covered the show, and video was compiled and edited by Entropy Creative.
BizBash thanks our exibitors, sponsors, attendees, speakers, and Hall of Fame inductees who contributed to the successful day. Visit bizbash.com/ourevents to learn about BizBash Expos in Los Angeles on June 11, Chicago on August 20, and New York on October 21.
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