Past Events

November 6th "Service N Sync Event"
Tri-City Food Bank Volunteer Day :  Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa

                               

40 chapter volunteers lent their "helping hands" on our first Chapter Tri-City Community Service Event in support of local food banks.  On Wed. Nov 6th volunteers in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal were hard a work sorting donated food items and preparing packages for those in need within our communities.  A great day was had by all in support of a very worthy cause.

Our sincere thanks to our Tr-City Food Bank Volunteers and to our location champions: Karina Acton, Toronto - The Daily Food Bank; Tami Leblanc, Ottawa, The Ottawa Food Bank and Kevin Perrin, Montreal - Moisson Montreal.  Thank you all for giving your time & support to this Chapter Community Service Event.

October 15th "Is Your Message Connecting with each Generation?", Toronto

Matt Thornhill, Founder & President of the Boomer Project gave invaluable insight to our members on the dynamics of communicating with various generations in the workplace to ensure we "connect" with all of our target markets.  Tapping in the right "emotional reasons" that affect the different generations is just one way of reaching your audience.

The Canada East Chapter extends a sincere "Thank You" to the Westin Harbour Castle for their sponsorship of this program and to the PCMA Education Foundation sponsorship of "Best in Class" guest Speaker - Matt Thornhill.

September 25th "Fall Social", Toronto

For the second time this year we held a "Social" and the results are in - that you would like to see these events take place on a regular basis!  Watch for our 2009 Calendar of Events for "Socials" as it's clear our members find this to be a great way to not only get to know existing members but as a means by which to introduce potential members to the Chapter.

We extend our sincere "thanks" to our hosts for the Fall Social -  FLOW Restaurant & Lounge in trendy Yorkville.

September 18th "Conference sur les expositions Ecoresponsables /
Green Exhibits Conference, Montreal

Our first Educational Program in Montreal was a hit!   An esteemed panel of specialists in their fields illustrated the benefits of creating and employing partnerships with socially responsible suppliers and clients. Eco-friendly conventions are on the rise and the tools are available to all - we just  need to take steps in the right direction and make it happen. 

To view the Speakers Presentations  Click Here.

The Canada East Chapter extends their sincere thanks to the Palais des congres de Montreal, AVW TelAV and Capital Traiteur Catering for their tremendous sponsorship of this program.  We would also like to extend thanks to our Moderator, Genevieve Leclerc, CMP of JPdL Montreal and our Featured Guest Speakers - Jean-Pierre Dubois of OPC Evenements; Mario Poirier of Palais des congres de Montreal and Charles Rye of Clarkson Conway/GES.

July 10 & 11th "Meet Globally, Eat Locally", Niagara-on-the-Lake

 

If you were not aware of the advantages & benefits of using locally grown & produced products you are now if you attended our July Educational Program.  Through the tremendous support of  partners in the Niagara Region participants learned the "ins & outs" of using locally grown product; what resources are available and the ease of incorporating local flavour into events designed to appeal to a global audience.   They also made their own blended wine as they explored the complexity of how certain wines are created.  Chef Randy Dupuis of the Pillar & Post Inn along with a guest appearance by Donald Ziraldo (Chairman of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre) further highlighted the program by lending their expertise & knowledge to the program events.

Our sincere thanks to Vintage Hotels, Hillebrand Winery, Inniskillin Wines and Peninsula Programs & Events, DMC Inc. for their collaboration on this outstanding summer program!

June 12th  "June Social", Toronto

Warm summer breezes, good food, great company and a very extensive wine list greeted the participants of the "June Social" which was held at Crush Wine Bar.  It was a perfect setting to mingle with fellow members and learn more about each other while discovering a new "hot spot" in the city.

Our thanks to Crush Wine Bar for hosting the evenings "snacks" and for providing us with tours of their facility.

May 27th Russell Street Gardening Program Community Service Event, Toronto

 

In conjunction with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Canada East Volunteers joined the team at the CAMH Russell Street Site and got their hands dirty!  After much weeding, digging and planting the Russell Street site is now pleasing to the eyes.  This is the 5th year of the program but a first for participation by the Canada East Chapter whose efforts were greatly appreciated by the team at CAMH.  As mentioned by Jim Davey, Co-ordinator, Corporate Volunteer Program "the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the PCMA CE Volunteers was infectious.  The knowledgeable tips about gardening were extremely helpful".

Our sincere thanks to our Garden Day Volunteers (Karina Acton, John Toleck, Meredith Donaghey, Lindsey Williams, Randy Markus and Mary-Ellen Tristram) for giving their time & support to this Chapter Community Service Event.

May 7th - Green Your Meeting - Inception to Wrap-Up, Toronto

With alittle effort, advance planning and collaboration between meeting planners and suppliers a green meeting (or at least a greener meeting) is possible!  That was the message members received at our Program on May 7th.  Every little bit you do can make a difference and it's ok to start making small changes because in the long-term big results will follow.  Results like....lower print production costs, reduced waste and costs from food & beverage events, reduced "footprint" on the environment, and lower electrical costs are just a few to mention.  Members learned the key to "going green" was advance planning and talking with your client, meeting planner or supplier about the possibilities of what can be done collectively to execute a more environmentally friendly event.

To view the Speakers Presentations - Click here

The Canada East Chapter extends their "thanks" to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and CCR Solutions Inc. for their substantial sponsorships of this program.  We would also like to extend our thanks to our Moderator, Sandy Biback, CMM, CMP of Imagination+ Meeting Planners Inc. and Featured Guest Speakers, Bill Guest of CCR Solutions, Vince Quattrociocchi of the MTCC, Anthony Watanabe of The Innovolve Group and Sandra Wood, CMP of the Canadian Medical Association.

March 7th - International Women's Day Annual Community Event, Toronto

20 Chapter Volunteers spent the day lending a hand in order to give vulnerable women an opportunity to celebrate International Women's Day.  In conjunction with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), our gang was busy decorating the venue, preparing and serving food and preparing gift bags. They finished the day helping out with the all important post party clean up!  This is the 10th year CAMH has held the event that is attended by approx. 200 homeless women and women in supportive housing.  It was a time to celebrate and acknowledge the strengths and talents of women that are often eclipsed by the labels of "homelessness" "addiction" and "mental illness".

The Canada East Chapter extends their heart-felt "Thanks" to all our Volunteers for your energy, enthusiam and dedication who helped make this a truely "AMAZING DAY"!

February 21st - Luis Santos 2nd Memorial Snow & Spa Day, Collingwood

Over 30 people attended the Canada East Chapter Luis Santos 2nd Memorial Snow and Spa Day Event in Collingwood February 21st. This is the second year the Canada East Chapter has held the event with 2007 being the inaugeral year in memoriam to a dedicated and committed chapter member, Luis Santos.  The conditions for this year's event were excellent and we are sure Luis ordered them for our day. Lee Ann Santos and the girls were able to attend the event and had a wonderful day skiing with some new PCMA friends.  Our sincere thanks to Kathy Bainbridge-East who did a fabulous job organizing the event and getting participants onto the hills or relaxing in the spa. Additional thanks go out to Al Patterson who actively promoted the event to chapter members and beyond and helped make this Memorial Event a success. What a great time had by all that PCMA participants that attended this event.

February 6th - Creativity - The New Frontier, Toronto 

Guest Speaker, Andrea Michaels of Extraordinary Events, kicked off our 2008 Educational Program year with a "shot" of Creativity.  Participants were put through activities that encouraged you to "think outside the box" in order to be open to considering alternate solutions to problems or challenges that we face in our industry or in winning over that important client.  Regardless of your budget, we learned alot can be done with alittle creativity.   for a copy of the material handed out at the Program.

The Canada East Chapter extends their thanks for the Renaissance Toronto Hotel Downtown for graciously hosting this program and to Andrea Michaels, President of LA based Extraordinary Events for making the trek from sunnier surroundings!

2007 Past Programs & Events

December 5th - Annual General Meeting & Holiday Social, Toronto

The Canada East Chapter "wrapped up" a busy year for the chapter at our Annual General Meeting and Holiday Social and "rang in" the new 2008 Officers. In recognition for their support to the Chapter, our valued sponsors, The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Tourism Toronto, Hilton Hotels, and GES Canada Exposition Services were presented plaques. "Thank You" to the Fairmont Royal York for hosting our event!

Congratulations to Rebecca Alexander on winning the raffle prize of a ComplimentaryTwo Night Stay at any Hyatt Hotel! Enjoy!

November 30th - Green Your Meeting - From Theory to Reality, Ottawa 

70 enthusiastic participants found out just how realistic it can be to "green your meeting". Featured speakers showcased the impact the meeting industry has on the environment and what steps we can take to make environmentally friendly meeting choices in the future. It was especially encouraging to learn that 75% of the participants plan on "greening a meeting" in the future! To assist with your plans for a green meeting check out our "Green Your Meeting Toolkit" which has information on how to build a green plan including sources for guidelines, a green supplier resource list, summaries of the presentations given at the workshop, articles on green AV, green printing, green trade shows and some helpful meeting statistics. This "toolkit" will be updated by our Program Champion, Sandra Wood however should you have any "green meeting" questions, please feel free to contact Sandra at Sandra.wood@cma.ca

Our thanks to our Workshop Sponsors: GMIC, Tree Canada Foundation, Quebec City Convention Centre, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier, The Westin Ottawa, Via Rail, AVW TelAV and Peller Estate Winery. Photos courtesy of Melanie Hudson, Industrial Gas Users Association.

November 7th "Service N Sync Day" Scott Mission, Toronto

Enthusiastic chapter volunteers were "serving it up" at our Annual Service N Sync Day event at the Scott Mission in Toronto. Helping hands were put to use in the Donations section packing diapers and bundles of donated food items for those in need to collect from the Mission's distribution wing while a whole team were assigned to the dining room to prep, serve and clear for two meal seatings that fed roughly 200 hungry drop-ins. The Scott Mission offers a variety of services to the needy of Toronto and it was enlightening to all our attended this day's event.

The Canada East Chapter extends their heart-felt "Thanks" to all our Volunteers who took time out of their busy day to give back to those within our community who truely need help. Our efforts resulted in a cheque of approx. $450.00 collected from registration fees, 6 large garbage bags of donated clothing, 2 cases of juice, 1 case of bottle water and 2 dozen muffins being donated to the Scott Mission.

October 11th "PCMA CE Amazing Race", Toronto

It was a "Race to the Top" for the four teams who participated in the first-ever 'PCMA Canada East Amazing Race". The event sponsor, Canadian Outback Adventures, created a challenging course that had enthusiastic racers dashing all over the downtown core in search of elusive clues and tackeling "spirited" challenges while seeing more of the interesting venues the city has to offer to meeting planners & suppliers. The weary race participants were graciously greeted by the team at the CN Tower who hosted the Awards Ceremony & Reception in the Horizon's Cafe high atop the city. Congratulations to all participants and our best wishes for a speedy return to good health for your tired feet!

The Canada East Chapter extends their thanks to our event hosts, Canadian Outback Adventures and the CN Tower; our fearless photographer, Keith Houghton and all participating race venues - the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Ivey ING Learning Centre, Gardiner Museum, Montana Bar & Grill and the Steamwhistle Brewery.

July 12th "Stirring the Senses" Food & Wine Pairing, Hilton, Niagara Falls

Senses were stirred, great wine was enjoyed and taste buds were definitely teased at the Niagara Food & Wine Pairing event held in Niagara Falls on July 12th. Our hosts, Hillebrand Winery and the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview, set the stage for this event with panoramic views of the Falls, superb food and fantastic wines. A great time was had by all!

The Canada East Chapter extends their thanks to our event hosts, The Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel, Hillebrand Winery and the Niagara Parks Commission. Salute!

June 5th Network for the Needy, Massey Centre for Women, Toronto

PCMA CE members recently made a difference in the lives of the women and children who rely on the Massey Centre for Women through their hard work and painting abilities! A dedicated group donned their "paint gear" to redo the lounge of the centre in order to give it a fresh new look.

Thank you to a terrific group of volunteers!

March 29th Pandemic Planning Program, MaRS Centre, Toronto

Are you prepared? 30 members who attended our second program of the year found out what they can be doing to ensure they are prepared for the next pandemic emergency. The medical community advises it is not a question of "IF" a pandemic emergency will occur but rather "WHEN" and reinforced the fact that companies & individuals can take proactive steps NOW to protect their business operations, staff, colleagues and families from the severity of pandemic influenza. Thank you to our guest speakers, Elaine Pacheco, RN, Toronto Public Health, Vicki McKenna, RN, Ontario Nurses Association and John Houghton, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

We scored a 92.5% level of satisfaction on the content & outcome of the program! Thank you to all who attended. Anyone wishing to receive the presentation notes from the program can contact Chapter Administrator, Julie Siedel at jcsiedel@sympatico.ca.

Comments from Attendees ...
"this is an issue that needs to be dealt with now"
"don't rely on technology"
"stock-pile items.... preparedness... excellent session!"
"well done - one of the best PCMA Mtgs I have been to"