RBC Place London is excited to be hosting an in-person Global Meetings Industry Day celebration in 2023.
The event will feature an expert panel discussion on the importance of the meetings industry, facilitated by PCMA Canada East Chapter President and Meetings Mean Business Canada board member Heather Reid.
Guests will enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and the opportunity to network with representatives from government, regional tourism organizations, as well as London’s hospitality and tourism partners.
Tickets:
General Admission: $33.90 ($30 + HST)
Student Admission: $16.95 ($15 + HST)
Meet our Panelists:
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Minto Schneider, Vice Chair
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Minto Schneider has more than 30 years’ experience in the tourism industry and brings extensive knowledge of the Canadian market, including 9 years as CEO at Explore Waterloo Region, where she led the development for a business event specific marketing strategy. In 2022, Minto joined the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as a Destination Specialist, Government Affairs. In this role, she is advocating for the interests for destination organizations. Minto has served on the boards of the TIAC, the Destination Marketing Association of Canada, Destination Ontario, and Destination Canada’s Business Events Advisory Committee. She currently serves on the boards of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and Meetings Mean Business Canada. |
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Jennifer Allaby, Executive Director
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Jennifer Allaby is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM). As CAEM's Executive Director since 2021, Jennifer has played an important role in the Association's advocacy work at all levels of government. Jennifer is also a member of the Meetings Mean Business Canada board (MMBC) and currently serves as Secretary. She is also an active participant on MMBC’s Government Relations Committee. |
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Kapil Lakhotia, President & CEO
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An economist by training, Kapil Lakhotia is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). With over 20 years of experience developing jobs and investments in London, Kapil provides leadership on infrastructure improvements, workforce development initiatives, and entrepreneurial activities. Deeply involved in the London community, Kapil is the current chair of King’s University College Board of Directors, and serves on the Fanshawe College Board of Governors and MainStreet London Board. He actively participates in regional collaborations, such as Consider Canada City Alliance and the Ontario Food Cluster, and consults with provincial and federal governments on building sustainable, diverse and inclusive economies. |
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Barry Smith, Executive Director
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Barry Smith is the Executive Director of Convention Centres Canada (CCC), an industry association whose members are the purpose-built convention centres across the country. Barry spent the majority of his career in venue management having held executive positions in four public assembly buildings. He most recently was the President and CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Barry has been active in many industry associations having served on the Boards of Destination Vancouver, Destination Toronto, TIAC, PCMA and Meetings Means Business to name just a few. |
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MC & Moderator
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Heather Reid is the President of PCMA’s Canada East Chapter, as well as the Founder & CEO of Planner Protect Inc. Heather also sits on the Meetings Mean Business Canada Board of Directors. Drawing on almost 30 years of planning experience, Heather is uniquely positioned to educate, train, and consult with event professionals about event contracts. Heather has been a guest author for Ignite Magazine, Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine, and Corporate Meetings Network. She has been invited to speak on the topic for Canadian Meetings & Event Expo, numerous Canadian industry organizations including MPI, PCMA, CanSPEP and CSAE, and was featured as a main stage speaker at Go West 2023. |
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