The Connector Next Door with Lisa Gareau

Send us Fan MailArlene Schilke, grew up in northern rural Manitoba. That upbringing led her to recognize at an early age the importance of being in community and building a network of support. She continues to thrive off connecting with people and connecting people to each other.Arlene founded her event agency, Timewise Event Management, over 25 years ago and has won several awards including SPIN’s Top 40 over 40, BizBash Top Canadian Event Professionals and MPI’s Mentor of the Year. It was in her involvement with MPI (Meeting Professionals International) her mantra “Community, Connections and Collaboration” came alive and helped her grow her chapter to double its size. Through MPI she saw how people in the events industry wanted to connect, to find support, and gain new perspectives and ideas which led her to creating and co-founding GO WEST LIVE in 2018. GO WEST has grown to be the largest gathering of meeting and event professionals in Canada, outside of Toronto!Known for her curiosity and insight into trends, Arlene has successfully developed GO WEST to be one of the few industry events that is truly geared towards event planners. She has curated the education lineup so that it is focused on industry specific content. This along with the niche meet ups and social events where connections are made with likeminded industry people is why the event continues to grow year after year. In our conversation today, Arlene encourages us all to stay open, curious, and willing to be pleasantly surprised. You never know where you’ll meet your great connection. Who knows maybe at GO WEST this year!  Are you a planner that would love to connect at GO WEST? Contact us for a special Candy Discount Code! • • • • • You can find and connect with Arlene on LinkedIn HERE. GO WEST LIVE – Where Canada’s Event Industry GathersEdmonton, Alberta, Canada • February 1-3, 2026In February, event planners and suppliers from across Canada and beyond are meeting for 3 days of learning and connecting! Created in 2018, by event planners, for event planners, GO WEST is the largest gathering of event pros outside of Toronto. Enjoy the main stage, grand opening, networking, receptions, entertainment, exhibit, learning lounge - it's all at GO WEST! • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailNever one to fit into any sort of mold, Joseph “JD” Dubois has always followed the urge to get out and see the world!JD’s been riding motorcycles since he was a young man and still loves to soak in the landscapes and experience other cultures from the seat of his bike. He’s always loved riding, referring to a good ride as “Throttle Therapy” but as he grew older, JD found a home in the biker brotherhood and culture. In researching and writing his Graduate Degree Thesis, JD became immersed one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. It’s what led him to start his passion project Freedom Biker Tours based out of Alberta, Canada.  JD’s professional life has been spent working in travel, tourism, and hospitality since he was a teenager. He’s worked Food & Beverage in bars and restaurants. As a flight attendant and in operations for airlines. He’s worked for tour operators and travel agencies and has many years' of experience in the accommodation sector in hotels and resorts including owning and operating a campground and RV park in beautiful British Columbia. Skillfully driving through the curves and bumps of entrepreneurship, JD continues to operate a tourism consulting firm, Dubois Hospitality Group. When JD dons a suit it’s usually in the role as the long time, trusted, tenacious Sales Manager for The Kenrick Hotel in the heart of Banff, Alberta, Canada – “Where Luxury Meets Legacy”. It was in his role at The Kenrick that we met and I’m so glad you will get to know him too through our conversation today! • • • • •Connect with Joseph “JD” Dubois on LinkedIn HERE. The Freedom Biker Tours: Through the Therapeutic power of Motorcycling and Throttle Therapy, JD promotes Mental Well-Being, Connection, and Personal Growth. His mission is to inspire and support riders of all backgrounds, creating a culture of Inclusivity and Healing - one ride at a time.About The Kenrick Hotel:Locally owned and family operated, we have been proudly welcoming guests from around the world for over half a century. Formerly the High Country Inn - The Kenrick is experiencing a full circle moment for our family, and an opportunity for guests to experience Banff in a whole new way.• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailGabrielle Austen-Browne – or Gabby  – is a multi-award-winning diversity and inclusion professional, and the founder of Diversity Alliance.Diversity Alliance is a female and Black owned leading consultancy that empowers organisations in the events, hospitality and creative industries to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility through education, training, workshops, and events.With a team of associates and experts who have lived and breathed inclusion and accessibility in the creative arts, the corporate setting and in event management, Gabby brings a unique perspective and industry-specific expertise to our work.The Diversity Alliance client list includes the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Square Enix Fan Fest IV, Jack Morton, Momentum, Informa Tech, Hilton and Stellar Global, as well as venues and various industry associations.Based out of Brighton, UK Gabby leverages her extensive events, marketing and hospitality experience to inform, support, and advise on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility strategies relevant to the sector.A frequent speaker, writer, and lecturer, on “Diversity & Inclusion” in events, she is also committed to nurturing new industry talent, serving as a mentor, guide, and coach to up-and-coming professionals.Events impact so many things in our communities – and can influence wider society. No matter what event you’re planning, your role as "Event Planner” is a big responsibility and an opportunity!Gabby says, “It’s important that we make sure every event is representative of society and inclusive of the wider community.”• • • • • You can find and connect with Gabby on LinkedIn HERE. Diversity Alliance “Diversity Alliance is a female and Black owned leading consultancy that empowers organisations in the events, hospitality and creative industries to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility through education, training, workshops, and events. They meet clients wherever they are on their DE&I journey and providing tailored guidance to help them implement initiatives and strategies across all aspects of their business operations and live events.”Inclusive Event Design Course & Community  Network of Women in EventsBlack in Events – North America • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailTim Truax is a multi-faceted professional who blends creativity with science, and storytelling with structure.Tim is a passionate pop culture enthusiast and the creative force behind The Nerd Room, a podcast that has been nerding out with listeners since 2015. With over 450 episodes under his belt, Tim has carved out a space as a trusted voice in the worlds of Star Wars, Marvel, and beyond.His energetic commentary and sharp insights make him a standout pop culture commentator and a go-to for fans looking for deep dives and fun conversations.In addition to hosting, producing, and editing The Nerd Room, Tim is the CEO of PodSummit, Canada’s premier podcasting event. It was by attending Tim’s first summit in September 2024 that I was able to get to know Tim – and be inspired by – his passion to create connections through this unique made-in-Canada, for Canadian podcasters, experience.Through PodSummit, he’s built more than just an event—he’s fostered a thriving, supportive community of podcasters from across the country. Tim’s passion for community building shines through in everything he does, from creating welcoming spaces for creators to connect, to mentoring new podcasters as they find their voices.Tim Truax is all about connection—connecting people to stories, to ideas, and most importantly, to each other. • • • • • You can find and connect with Tim on LinkedIn HERE. Listen in to Tim's podcast The Nerd Room HERE:And, if you are ready to share space with storytellers and podcast creators, register to join in on the PodSummit taking place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Sept 19-20, 2025!Follow PodSummit updates on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE! “PodSummit is CANADA’S PODCAST EVENT, where together we are building and amplifying the Canadian podcast community by uniting creators, storytellers, and experts shaping podcasting. This is the intersection of the art of podcasting and the spirit of innovation - where voices unite to push boundaries and ignite ideas. Step into a space built for discovery and collaboration, where each conversation and connection becomes part of the story.” • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!  Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailLiz Lathan, CMP, is a trailblazer in the experiential marketing arena and is the Co-Founder and head of community for Club Ichi, which is in Liz’s own words … a “friggin' awesome”, private membership community for Business to Business – or B2B – Event Marketers.Club Ichi isn’t like any other community. Dive in and you’ll experience conference sessions on inflatable unicorns, 2:30 a.m. exploding pajama parties, secret business trips, lots of hugs, and a whole lot of people just looking to help each other. But Liz and her team also recognize many event professionals need “community” to help advance their careers, expand their networks, and build relationships that transcend business. It’s all in Club Ichi!Liz believes – even with so much focus on the word “connection” - most events are not designed to build deep connections. It’s this reality that led Liz to create Spontaneous Think Tank™. This unique opportunity not only sparks authentic connections but also provides a therapeutic space for business problem-solving.Liz brings over two decades of rich experience in corporate event marketing, having spearheaded global event teams for tech giants like Dell, where she pioneered Dell World in 2011, and IBM's Analytics & Hybrid Cloud division.Beyond her executive roles, Liz thrives as a writer, investor, speaker, and avid traveler, continuously shaping the future of event marketing and community engagement through her innovative and strategic approach - all built around having FUN!• • • • • You can find and connect with Liz on LinkedIn HERE! Club Ichi – With a flair for the quirky, fun, and unexpected, Club Ichi is known for bringing B2B event marketers together in intimate settings around the world for strategic conversations that drive pipeline and revenue for their events. The Community Factory – Most events aren’t designed to build deep connections. We apply our Power in Company Method to help to spark the relationships the drive revenue. Spontaneous Think Tank™️ – Armed with sticky notes and Sharpie markers, attendees contribute challenges they're having, creating a "wall of woes." Through collaborative crowdsourcing, they co-create an agenda of sessions where the participants lead the conversations.  Event Minds Matter by Club Ichi - “Building brave spaces to amplify the industry’s conversation on human sustainability in the workplace"• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailGabriella Robuccio – or Gabby as she has invited me to call her – has taken it on herself to put her event experience to work to empower event professionals, one relationship at a time.We all say relationships are one of the most – if not the most – important aspect of event planning. But how many of us are ready to get real about how we are creating, cultivating, and caring for those relationships?Gabby’s professional journey has spanned over a decade and has included projects of varying scopes within the event industry.The Emmy sitting on her home office shelf was hard won and is a testimony to her exceptional work as a production manager for ESPN – where she helped to produce some of their top global projects!Moving on from ESPN she jumped into the high stakes world of producing fundraising events for a nonprofit healthcare foundation that spanned multiple American states.Gabby is now the Founder of ProEventTips where her focus is on providing event professionals of all levels with the tools and training to develop crucial, event specific, relationship management and leadership skills.With each episode of this podcast, I try to describe the essence of each Natural Connector in the title of the episode. As I was listening to our conversation – over and over (It’s one of the gifts of editing each episode myself!) – I kept thinking, “The work Gabby is doing could revolutionize the way event planners experience every relationship on their event journey!”The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “Revolutionary” as “involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.” Gabby’s passion to see relationships change in the events industry is inspiring!So ... welcome to my conversation with Gabriella Robuccio, Emmy Award Winning Production Manager, Relationship Revolutionary, and Natural Connector! • • • • • You can find and connect with Gabriella on LinkedIn HERE or follow her on Instagram HERE!• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailMallory Erickson helps nonprofits feel better, do better, and raise more from the right funders so they can stop hounding people for money.As an Executive Director, Mallory turned an organization from a 300K to a 3-million-dollar one thanks to working 70 hours a week to keep everything afloat. She was driven by the dream to make a positive impact in this world, but she didn’t know how to get off the hamster wheel.Times have changed, but the best practices for the sector have stayed the same. When we look deeper, we’ll see those “best practices” just aren’t working anymore.Mallory believes to her core that the nonprofit sector can solve the problems of the world, but now believes in order to do this we must be ready to change. Mallory says, “By adopting new ways of fundraising and operating we will not only change how much we can fundraise, but we’ll change the way we feel about fundraising too!”Her recently released book, "What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose" challenges the scarcity mindset in the sector and offers a path to sustainable, joyful fundraising.To keep her focus, Mallory holds tight to her core values: Courage, Curiosity, Vulnerability, Imperfection, Alignment, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In our conversation today Mallory shares the reason why “Alignment” – specifically – is such an important value. “The value of alignment is that we get to show up and be visible in alignment with our core values. We also get to be honest and reflective when things feel out of alignment. Being true to ourselves is key to sustainable fundraising success.” • • • • • You can find and connect with Mallory on LinkedIn HERE! Her new book,What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose, is an essential resource for nonprofit professionals to overcome the challenges they face to catalyze lasting change in the world.Mallory is also the host of the podcast What the Fundraising, which brings guests into conversation about nonprofit leadership and fundraising. Listen in HERE!Through her groundbreaking course, the Power Partners Formula™️ is a comprehensive roadmap to identify and engage the right funders. Learn more HERE! • • • • •Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Start building at TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by CandyConsulting.caAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailChristian Ortiz is a multifaceted American talent based out of Denver, Colorado, known for his groundbreaking work as a filmmaker, musician, photographer, artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.He has been bridging creativity and business for years, specializing in helping creatives build sustainable businesses while empowering companies to create meaningful, impactful brands.Through his innovative social media management company – Mod Atlas Media – Christian has helped hundreds of brands align their digital presence with their core values, fostering growth that is both innovative and socially responsible. Christian is on a mission to transform the tech industry by embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into its very core.He’s not just a tech entrepreneur—He’s a global advocate for social justice, using the power of AI and creative innovation to drive real change.His passion to see change led him to develop Justice AI an AI-driven solutions that was created to dismantle systemic biases.Justice AI is a tool designed to promote fairness and equity within corporate environments, ensuring businesses not only grow but grow ethically and inclusively.Christian is mobilizing social activists, creatives, and tech innovators to reshape the tech landscape into one that reflects and amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities.His influential work extends from the US to Uganda, serving on numerous boards and driving change.In our conversation today Christian shares his belief that we can enjoy a future where technology serves everyone and that – when working together – we can all see that vision become a reality! • • • • • You can find and connect with Christian on LinkedIn HERE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/modatlasmedia/Justice AI, developed by Christian Ortiz, is the world's first ethical AI that empowers businesses globally with AI solutions that prioritize fairness, transparency, and responsibility. His advanced platform helps organizations reduce bias, foster inclusivity, and meet international standards across industries like finance, healthcare, and human resources. Learn more HERE.  https://justiceai.co/As the founder of MOD ATLAS MEDIA, an online business consulting platform, Christian is defining his purpose with the mission to teach billions on how to build a successful mindset when entering entrepreneurship. Learn more HERE. https://www.modatlasmedia.com/ Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at wAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailStacy Huston is a visionary leader in social impact, known for her innovative, purpose-driven approach to philanthropy. I first learned of Stacy in her work as the Executive Director of SixDegrees.Org, a nonprofit founded by actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon that uses social networking to amplify the unsung heroes and causes in communities everywhere. With over eight years of experience in this role, she continues to lead the organization's mission to connect people to critical resources, sharing stories from changemakers, and leveraging the power of celebrity to make a positive impact.As an extension of this work Stacy co-created and is the Executive Producer of the #1 nonprofit podcast in the country, 'Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon', which features guests from different fields and backgrounds who are making a difference in the world, alongside the celebrities that champion them. Her work has garnered 6 Webbys and the prestigious Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. In 2023 Stacy founded Entertain Change. As the CEO, Stacy spearheads impactful collaborations between entertainers and organizations, working with major entities like Peacock, Warner Bros, and the ACLU. Creator of the CRAFT Method™ she works with groups to build deeper and more meaningful engagement through a 5-step principled approach.This Fall Stacy crafted and delivered a talk at TEDxFargo – based on her CRAFT Method™ - called “A Hands-on Approach to Remodeling Society”. In our conversation today Stacy shares her thoughts on how we can prioritize human connection by choosing compassion over comfort, and remodel ourselves and our communities through simple, intentional actions that foster deeper connections. Stacy – and her beautiful young family – is based near Washington, DC but travels far and wide encouraging others to “Harness the kindness that connects us all.”• • • • •  You can find and connect with Stacy on LinkedIn HERE and watch for the release of her book The Craft Method: A Hands-on Approach to Remodeling Self & Society HERE! • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!  Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailI feel I got to know author B. Jeffrey Madoff when reading his book "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas”. It was one on my pile of library books I had gathered for an event planning course I’ve been developing for creatives.On the faculty at Parsons School for Design, Jeffrey taught a course he developed called “Creativity: Making a Living with Your Ideas”.I’m grateful he put many of the concepts and conversations from his course into his book so creatives like me – who don’t have the opportunity to participate in his course – can still learn from his journey as a creative.Jeffrey began his career as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. then switched careers to film and video production as the Founder & CEO of Madoff Productions.Jeffrey edited and directed award winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Radio City, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard University, and Weill Cornell Medical College.Jeffrey’s current creative expressions is as Playwright and Lead Producer of “Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical” celebrating one of the most resilient and influential entertainers of our time, Lloyd "Mr. Personality" Price.In our conversation today it’s interesting to hear how – instead of using the word “connection” Jeffrey uses the word “relationship” saying, “When you build a relationship, you’re building trust.”We both agreed it’s “trust” that opens the door to new conversations, projects, ideas, and spaces where we can be ourselves.• • • • • You can find and connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about his book "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas" - #1 Bestseller on Amazon - published by Hachette Book Group - HERE! Madoff Productions collaborates with clients to create compelling branded content. Learn more HERE or on IG HERE! He is on the Advisory Board of Artolution, which is a global non-profit fostering understanding and emotional group through art.• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailCarolina Panoff is a life coach specializing in authenticity and the visionary founder of Be You Disco, a groundbreaking team-building company that brings wellness and authenticity to the forefront through music, movement, and mindfulness.Passionate about breaking down barriers, Carolina helps transform company cultures to thrive relationally by boosting well-being and improving the bottom line.She focuses on fostering belonging, connection, and empathy within teams, drawing inspiration from the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability.At Be You Disco, Carolina and her team curate bespoke experiences that build meaningful bonds among participants, inspiring collaboration and personal growth.Their innovative approach has earned recognition from Meetings Today as one of the top new team-building activities, significantly enhancing attendee engagement at conferences.Carolina’s mission is to create spaces where individuals thrive both personally and professionally, cultivating environments filled with positivity, creativity, and genuine connection.She has had the honour of working with Fortune 500 companies, sharing her unique vision for corporate wellness and team building.In our conversation today we talked about the importance of personal authenticity, awakening to cues about what we need in any given moment, and how we can better connect with ourselves and others by unearthing our common humanity.• • • • • To connect, email Carolina at [email protected] and follow Be You Disco on Instagram @beyoudisco.teams and discover how Carolina and Be You Disco can transform your team’s dynamics and elevate your corporate culture on her website HERE! • • • • • Candy Event Consulting is turning 16 in December 2024! It's with a world of gratitude that we invite you to share in Candy's SWEET 16 VIRTUAL DISCO celebration on Friday December 6 from 4-5 pm MST*. In our time together, we will reflect, reconnect, and reenergize with a vibrant virtual disco party expertly facilitated by Carolina Panoff, Founder of Be You Disco who will be joining us from Florida! 🤩 • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailMike Morrison is the leader and the founder of SocialNext, a premier digital marketing event organization that hosts some of Canada’s most influential conferences, including SocialWest, SocialEast, SocialPacific, and SocialNext: Toronto.With a passion for fostering community and professional growth, Mike has dedicated his career to curating events that bring together digital marketers, industry leaders, and innovators from across the country.Known for his keen insight into digital marketing trends, Mike's expertise lies in crafting immersive event experiences that blend cutting-edge content with inclusive networking opportunities.His hands-on approach ensures that every SocialNext event delivers practical strategies, thought-provoking discussions, and valuable takeaways, tailored to the evolving needs of attendees.Mike's commitment to accessibility sets his events apart—removing VIP barriers and providing equal opportunities for learning and growth.Through his work, he continues to champion diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in the event space, while also embracing innovation in areas like AI, influencer marketing, and creative storytelling.Whether it’s organizing a sold-out conference or designing new ways for attendees to connect, Mike brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and passion to event planning, making him a sought-after voice in the industry.Buckle up for a master class in engaging, surprising, and delighting your guests. You won’t regret taking the 57:53 minutes to tune in and learn from Mike - a master diy event planner! You can find and connect with Mike on LinkedIn HERE! Link through HERE to learn more about SocialNext digital marketing events! Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailJan Keck is a recovering shy guy, people-loving introvert, and a deep connector.He is also is a Facilitation Skills Trainer, Workshop Facilitator, Experience Designer, TEDx Speaker.His mission is to teach empathetic leaders how to design group experiences that spark engagement, increase trust, and foster deep connections - so nobody feels left out.Jan believes that gatherings without intentional structure inadvertently perpetuate patterns of oppression, and it’s the responsibility of the leaders to ensure everyone feels seen and heard - especially the introverted, quiet, and shy folks.Did you know you can warm up your meetings without cheesy icebreakers, build trust without trust falls, and facilitate vulnerable conversations without participants feeling they’re in therapy?There’s nothing that breaks Jan’s heart more than witnessing individuals trapped in awkward icebreakers, feeling more isolated despite being in a group.This is why he is currently dedicating his time and energy into writing his first book “Ice Melters”, where he advocates to ditch traditional Ice Breakers and shares his framework to increase engagement, build trust and foster deep connections - without making people cringe.Jan is driven by a simple belief: real, deep connection beats small talk, every single time. • • • • • You can find and connect with Jan on LinkedIn HERE or on his website HERE! Link through HERE to learn to turn shallow conversations into deep connections with Jan’s #askdeepquestions cards! Aaand ... Jan is writing a book! It’s going to be a practical guide for empathetic leaders seeking to design group experiences that spark engagement, encourage vulnerability and unlock the power of deep connection. Learn more at HERE!  • • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailJon McCoy is a husband, father of two sets of twins, and a creative soul with a passion to make a positive impact in the world. With a background in design – Jon has spent more than 15 years in the nonprofit world, starting as a graphic design intern, then marketer, and ultimately a fundraiser.  In 2020 alongside two like-minded friends, Jon jumped his nonprofit job opportunities to create We Are For Good, a media company for social impact leaders. With a goal to disrupt the status quo, create a bigger, inclusive table for conversations and community Jon and his friends also launched a new quarterly virtual and in-person gathering called ImpactUp with their first gatherings shaking the non-profit world this last July!Jon holds a fundamental belief that philanthropy is revolutionary in not just the impact it creates – but what it does to the hearts and minds of those who pour into their missions. Jon is co-host of the We Are For Good Podcast which debuted as #1 on Apple Podcasts in the Nonprofit category in 2020, and since then has surpassed more than 600,000 downloads and growing an audience of nonprofit leaders globally.In our conversation today it’s clear we share so many commonalities – not only are we both campers, artists, and connectors – but we both believe that anyone can make a positive impact in the world wherever they live. It will take time and tenacity, but we can ALL to make space for each heart and mind to be heard and honoured around the world! • • • • • You can find and connect with Jon on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about We Are For Good on social media or at their website HERE! The next quarterly ImpactUp will be Oct. 10 aligned with World Mental Health Day - learn more at HERE! Ripple Effect! The inaugural ImpactUp event in July convened more than 2,000 social impact leaders who joined virtually by day and then through 29 local meetups around the world that evening. Gathering + building community from New York City to Jinja, Uganda! You can take a look at the impact of the past ImpactUp gatherings HERE!Fun Fact! This year also launched a new adventure for the entire McCoy family - as their crew of six (and dog Pippa!) embarked on a 500-day road trip to see all 50 states and 50 national parks from the comfort of their vintage airstream. Jon is storytelling and sharing their learnings along the way with his wife Candice at their website HERE! • • • • •Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Program is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caProduced by Candy Event Consulting ©2024 Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailPete Bombaci is a visionary business and social change leader who - in 2016 -launched The GenWell Project, Canada’s Human Connection Movement, which has recently become more relevant than ever.The mission of The GenWell Project is to make the world a happier and healthier place by educating, empowering, and catalyzing people around the importance of proactive face-to-face social connection as an action we can all take for our health, happiness, longevity, and the betterment of society.Pete’s experience in the not-for-profit field predates the founding of The GenWell Project, as he successfully led the Movember Canada Foundation for nearly five years, growing the cause from a few thousand participants nationwide to the largest fundraising country worldwide, leading the team that raised $142 million dollars for men’s health over that time.Prior to joining Movember Canada, Pete was a 20-year veteran of the beverage and hospitality industry, serving in roles from bartender to sales to brand management.Pete – and his team at GenWell – are encouraging all Canadians not to wait to make those large, life-changing connections that we often dream about. If we look for and lean into the little, everyday connections we’ll be 100% happier than if the connection didn’t happen!*In our conversation today Pete shares how critical it is as planners – especially in our pressure-cooker work world – to create connections with people who can support us through the ups and downs that we experience.By intentionally adding “frequency, time, and shared experiences” to our connection efforts we can enjoy the benefits of living in a more connected world!*It’s true – listen in to learn why! • • • • • You can find Pete on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about The Genwell Project on social media or at their website HERE!  Pete mentioned the Canadian Social Connection Survey. Read through it HERE. Curious about the state of your own social health? Take the GenWell Social Health Quiz HERE! Feeling lonely? GenWell is here to remind you that you're never truly alone. Get together with others for a weekend of connection and community from September 20-22. Read more and register for the #genwellweekend HERE!  GenWell is getting ready to host the 3rd Annual Human Connection Conference November 4-6, 2024 at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. Learn more HERE.• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.  Start building at TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced bAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailMaya Corona and David Schmeikal are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, blending backgrounds in graphic design, painting, branding, and coaching to help humans create and be creative.Maya, with over two decades in graphic design, now explores the depths of her self-expression and joy through painting and creative initiatives focused on connecting communities together.David has worked as an entrepreneur and creative professional for 15 years and now guides others to unleash “who they truly are” into the world. He does this through improving the pragmatic performance side of process so professionals can unleash their creative potential.To many event planners creativity can feel messy. And adding that element of creativity into our planning work can feel even more out of place. But if we want to see change in ourselves, our world, or our work, we cannot avoid the mess. In my conversation with Maya and David, we explored how we must build up our tolerance for the creative process even as planners.When we learn to sit with the uncomfortable inability to structure, schedule, or add the creativity to a spreadsheet, we will gain access to the peace and possibilities only accessible by going through the – as David says – “chaos of creativity’’.Listen in and be inspired to lean into who you truly are, what matters to you in your planning, and get ready to surround yourself with those that do the same! Learn more about Maya at the links below and connect with her HERE on LinkedIn! Maya’s Website: https://www.mayacorona.comMaya’s Events: https://www.mayacorona.com/eventsMaya on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mayacoronaart/Learn more about David at the links below and connect with him HERE on LinkedIn! David’s Film: https://www.davidschmeikal.com/filmDavid’s Website: https://davidschmeikal.com/ David on IG: https://www.instagram.com/davidschmeikal/    Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the creative event planner that is ready to build better connections with those they wish to serve!Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailAshley Tedham has leaned into her life with courage and has become a leader who embraces the “fear factor” in her leadership.A native Calgarian with a passion for international and community development, Ashley obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of Calgary in 2007, and a Master's Degree in 2012 in International Affairs at The Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.Over the last fifteen years, Ashley has worked with various International Organizations in Sierra Leone, Canada, and Switzerland, including the Canadian International Development Agency, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and World Trade Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and the World Health Organization.In 2016 Ashley returned to Calgary and became the Executive Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award).In 2020, Ashley was included in Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, highlighting the Award's work empowering criminally involved youth through a project she developed called The Youth Resiliency Project.Ashley took on a new role with Benevity in 2021 acting as their Director of Global Operations & Foundation Partnerships. Ashley is a passionate volunteer and currently sits on the board of CAUSE Canada and Making Changes Association.In our conversation today Ashley shares how – to truly connect with ourselves, our teams, and the opportunities that arise – we must be honest about who we are, clear about where our boundaries lie, and willing to embrace the “fear factor” in every step! You can find Ashley on LinkedIn HERE and explore how Benevity is “helping the world’s top brands create social impact” HERE! Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, core team, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Program is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailLinda Joyce Jones believes that gathering is essential to living a meaningful life. She’s a self-proclaimed obsessive organizer of people, places, and events – orchestrating special occasions in both her personal and professional life for more than 25 years!Her pragmatic approach and knack for sweating the small stuff has helped her organize successful corporate conferences, community events, retreats, fundraisers, and more. Something both Linda and I believe to be true - many have the skills to plan events, but they haven’t thought about how they can apply their diverse skills.This belief has brought her to support “accidental planners” like herself saying, “Anyone can create amazing memories for their families, in their career, for their community, or the world” through the events they plan.Linda wrote The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events to encourage and empower “accidental planners”. If that’s you – you must read Linda’s book – as she shows up with kindness and clearly shares her expertise through every chapter!In our conversation today, Linda shares how connection is “collaborating with people in order to achieve a goal” and how we can gain a sense of belonging through that collaboration. A beautiful reason to intentionally include “event planning” on your to-do list!You can find Linda on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about her book The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events*, available both in print and as an audiobook on her website at www.LindaJoyceJones.com*“The Event Planning Toolkit will help you rise to the occasion to plan and execute extraordinary meetings and events by helping you get organized, reduce time-wasting mistakes, and inspire creativity.”Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailJanice Cardinale has been listed as one of the top 100 most influential people in events, she’s in the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, is noted as one of the BizBash’s 15 over 50, is a Smart Meetings Entrepreneur, a Reiimagine Powerful Business Woman, aaaand is the fiery Founder of the Event Minds Matter community – which is where our lives intersected in the Fall of 2023.The community Janice ignited in 2022 grew out of a compassion and concern for the next generation of event, meeting, hospitality, and travel professionals. Event Minds Matter is a community of like-minded event professionals committed to creating thought leadership and a new culture in the events industry. Being a “natural connector”, Janice has welcomed 20 like-minded professionals to volunteer their time – as she does – to change the conversation on mental health in an industry fraught by stress, anxiety, and burn-out.Speaking and facilitating conversations within the events industry is a passion for Janice and she takes every opportunity to provide purpose and value to anything that will support human capital within an organization.Janice says, “In the event industry, we need to open a conversation within our associations, because language matters, education is needed, being kind is essential and listening is paramount.”In our conversation today Janice shares how, “We didn’t know that we could work differently. We didn’t know we should have boundaries." But when we know better, we can do better. And Janice won’t stop until we get there … together!You can find Janice on LinkedIn HERE along with her Event Minds Matter community of 2500+ planners HERE!A note from your host, Lisa Gareau: “As someone who faced burnout early in my life due to my event planning activities, I am honoured to join this group of passionate planning pros and will be investing in Event Minds Matter in 2024, volunteering as part of the education committee.” Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailI recently attended an innovation day to support a friend and colleague who was presenting. Hanging at the back of a room I found a seat – as it turns out – right where I was supposed to be that day.Sitting beside me was a high energy, business development and marketing professional, who seemed to be deeply engaged with his local community, and who was – clearly – a “natural connector”.Kent Patel is excellent at seeing the big picture, and drilling down to details, organizing projects, and inspiring people to achieve desired results.Everything he produces is built on connection, collaboration, and growth for businesses, individuals, and the wider collective.Outside of work, he enjoys creating unforgettable moments that resonate with joy, connection, and a sense of accomplishment through his city-funded monthly workshops that focus on Indigenous Culture and Wellness.These learning, feel good, experiences have created lasting connections and a "community of belonging” in the Calgary community of Sunalta … and beyond.In our conversation today Kent shares how he’s been on a journey to embrace his own culture and is now passionate to connect others to their own in tangible, supportive, nurturing, fun, creative ways!You can find all of Kent’s upcoming workshops and connect with him HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailCathy Derksen is a catalyst and disruptor, supporting and inspiring midlife women to rediscover their brilliance and step into new possibilities.As the founder of her company Inspired Tenacity Global Solutions Inc, Cathy helps women take on the courage to face major changes in their life.Cathy is an international speaker and an 12x bestselling author who inspires her audience to dream big and take a leap of faith into reaching for their goals.She has created a platform supporting women to share their own inspiring stories in books, retreats, and mastermind opportunities. With her all-in-one program, Cathy takes soon-to-be authors from chapter concept to published bestselling author in a simple, exciting process.Cathy lives near Vancouver, Canada where she enjoys spending time in nature, travelling, meeting new people, and connecting with her community around the world.Though our conversation you’ll hear loud and clear how Cathy is creating a ripple effect of impact by helping women share their stories and wisdom.It takes courage to connect deeply with our own story and tenacity to share it even when it’s hard. I’m so glad you get to hear how Cathy helps women “Find the courage and take the leap”!  You can find Cathy on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new in her world of collaborative publishing on her website www.InspiredTenacity.com HERE. Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailWith three decades under her belt in the nonprofit sector, Joanne Toller has had the privilege of wearing many hats, primarily as a nonprofit coach. Joanne is the Founder of The Cause Charity Specialists, where she specializes in fundraising and nonprofit marketing consultation. Her expertise lies in strategic planning and the evolving digital landscape of fundraising and nonprofit marketing.As a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Joanne has witnessed the sector's many changes and challenges, and she’s passionate about sharing her knowledge with others.Now, in semi-retirement, her time is devoted to managing her exceptional team at The Cause, coaching nonprofits, and releasing free resources on The Cause YouTube channel.Her love for teaching and coaching is a testament to her commitment to ensuring that the next generation of nonprofit leaders is well-equipped for the challenges ahead.Semi-retirement has granted Joanne and her husband the beautiful opportunity to explore. Every winter, they traverse the US's vast landscapes; come summer, Canada is their playground.In our conversation today Joanne shares how true connection is a combination of pulling back from toxic environments and leaning in with those that are ready to explore something deeper with their donors!You can find Joanne on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new in her work as a fundraising coach on her website HERE!Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailJessica McBride is the The Tech Savvy Assistant and is committed to stay ahead of the curve in today's rapidly changing tech environment.As a former Executive Assistant, she now provides executive support and administrative training.A self-professed generalist, Jessica has spent a lot of time learning new skills and technologies just well enough so that they can make her life easier. Now it’s her goal to help others gain the confidence needed to to make their lives easier too!Speaking from experience, Jessica shares how assistants spend much of their time reinventing the wheel and believes it's not necessary! Learning – and using – the technology available is an absolute game changer. I know as event planners, we never seem to have enough time in the day. What if we could work in a way that we’d have time to spare. Time to connect in more meaningful ways with our clients, customers, core teams, or community members! After some tough work experiences, Jessica is now stepping out as a Keynote Speaker, Community Mentor, Author of The Tech Savvy Assistant series, “ChatGPT for Administrative Professionals”, and “How to Set Goals as an Administrative Professional”. In our conversation today Jessica shares her passion to see women step up, take up space, and work in ways that advance their careers as Administrative Professionals.  You can find Jessica on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new on The Tech Savvy Assistant website HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailWinnie Hsu came to Canada thirty years ago as a financially struggling student from China, working several low-paying jobs to sustain herself. Eventually, she started her own small accounting business.  But that was 20 years ago. Today, she has a team of fifteen professionals serving over 200 small businesses in the greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley in B.C.Winnie never stops learning. Wanting to achieve more, she studied for an MBA with the Jack Welch Management Institute (JWMI) in the USA by taking online classes during the pandemic.  Using the 18-month fast track route, she graduated with all honours for all 12 of her courses at the end of 2021, also winning the distinguished scholar award with the JWMI at age 59 – all while working full-time to manage her business.In Fall of 2021 - with three fellow co-founders - she started her dream impact project by founding Vision2Reality Foundation (V2RF) - a 100% online, free business community to help newcomers with their entrepreneur journey. As of this recording, the V2RF online community had 691 members on its platform who have and are all willing to share, learn and grow with local business owners and professionals. And it’s growing everyday!In our conversation today Winnie shares that V2RF is a rare, truly multicultural, inclusive online community that welcomes anyone with a dream and the ambition to turn their visions into reality. You can find Winnie via LinkedIn HERE, read more about her business HERE, and explore Vision to Reality on the website HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailTim Gareau is a Calgary hometown lad, singer-songwriter who accompanies his originals with acoustic guitar and harmonica. His carefully crafted lyrics speak of relationships, past and present love, the joys of nature, social issues, spirituality, bees, owls, dogs and even crocodiles!His music is primarily influenced by folk - but he easily adds a slice of rock, a spatter of jazz, a smatter of blues, with a pinch of country.  And I'll say, as his wife a whole lot of "tongue n/ cheek" along the way.Tim is a poet, and storyteller and likes his audience to come along for the ride. As his wife of 13 years, I love how Tim has embraced his own gifts and how he shares his gifts - AND how he encourages others to find their gifts and share those with the world too!In our conversation today we talk about the importance of finding our gifts, having the courage to use them, and then reaching out to create meaningful connections - and a sense of community - around those gifts. You can find Tim's music - including his NEW album "Great Late Bloomer" on his NEW website at www.TimGareauMusic.ca on Facebook HERE or on Instagram HERE! In this episode Tim and I talked about the "Blue Zones" and the new Netflix series called "LIVE TO 100: Secrets of the Blues Zones" .  You can watch the trailer on YouTube HERE! "Travel around the world with author Dan Buettner to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives."Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailGrant Assenheimer grew up as a farm kid, worked as an engineer, travelled the world as a humanitarian worker, and landed as an executive leader. His drive to find solutions is backed by a deep value of different perspectives and the patience to discover root causes, leading to sustainable, systems-level outcomes.Grant has had an outstanding career as a water engineer, previously worked with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad and served as a Director on the MSF Canada Board. Grant is now back in Edmonton, has recently completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Alberta, and is currently the CEO of Belongify, a workplace culture start-up that helps leaders improve team performance by creating cultures of Belonging. Belongify co-Founders Lorne and Garrett Rubis set the Belongify Team - including an impressive list of certified Belongify Coaches - on a mission to help leaders create a culture of belonging where each individual's value is known, appreciated, and optimized. As the CEO, Grant is excited to see leaders embrace and activate the Belongify system as he knows - when leaders help their teams eliminate feelings of isolation, increase a sense of value, and recognize individual contributions - these same employees can thrive anywhere they choose to live and work.Watch for Grant's posts about Belongify - and connect with him - on LinkedIn HERE. If you're a leader that is curious about creating a greater sense of belonging with your team check out the Belongify website HERE. Wondering how strong the sense of belonging is in YOUR workplace? Take the Belongify quiz HERE to answer 7 questions to receive a rating of your group's sense of belonging in the workplace - Weak, Needs Improving, Strong.  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailTracy Folorunsho-Barry is a Career Strategist and Founder and CEO of Grow Women Leaders, helping immigrant women get hired and advance their careers.She is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, with a focus on immigrants and BIPOC women.   In 2017, through GROW Foundation, she launched Project150: Accomplished Immigrant Women in Canada and the Speak Out Women series.Recognizing the gaps in empowerment, leadership, and career development services for immigrant women, she founded GROW Women Leaders in 2018.With the GROW Digital Platform, they connect women with local and national companies, facilitating personal and professional growth.In 2021, Tracy opened The GROW Space—a nurturing environment where success and community thrive. At the heart of this space lies "Nurture," an ongoing co-creative support with amenities like training rooms, workstations, and event space, along with childminding services. Importantly, proceeds from Nurture directly support women at GROW Foundation.Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to helping thousands of women access new opportunities and reach their full potential … and she’s only getting started! You can connect with Tracy on LinkedIn HERE, learn more about GROW HERE, and follow GROW Women Leaders on their IG HERE.Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.caAre you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailRichard Lee-Thai, doesn’t feel he’s a “natural connector” but is fascinated by people and has learned - over some lonely years - how to connect in authentic, meaningful ways! These learned skills have helped him to both connect meaningfully with others and has helped him become an advocate and friend to those that want to learn to do the same.Richard Lee-Thai is a TEDx Speaker, Connection Consultant, and co-author of “Become Your Superself: Connect with Yourself to Connect with Others.” His TEDx talk: "How to Find Excuses to Connect” outlines how people can make meaningful connections easier. We never grew up with a class on “How to Make Friends”, so his work focuses on lessening the gap in social health education. As a professional speaker and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation, he empowers individuals and organizations with the social skills and confidence to make meaningful connections for the rest of their lives.His motto is: "You never know how any connection can transform your life." In our conversation Richard shared that, “Every person you pass by has their own rich story. All it takes is initiating a conversation to enter that world with them.” He has worked to build a sense of community through storytelling and believes anyone can find excuses to connect!Richard’s “North Star Vision”? Finding a way to create a world without loneliness. Not only an ambitious dream but one that he believes is possible if we all work to find "excuses to connect"!Reach out to continue this conversation with Richard on Linked in HERE or learn more about “Excuses to Connect” on his website HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailKarla Combres is a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, ceremony guide, facilitator, and speaker. She helps people to honour and celebrate life’s big moments – the joyful beginnings, difficult endings, and everything in between.She believes in the transformative power of meaningful, authentic, story-based ceremonies to connect and inspire us as we move through life’s transitions. After spending over a decade living, working, and studying in other cities and countries, Karla is grateful to make her home once more in Saskatoon - on Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis - along with her husband and three beautiful children.Karla believes connection happens below the surface level – when we get to the heart of a person, a situation, a person’s story.She has experienced that – when guiding her clients through the journey of death and dying – the only thing that matters is did they love well and were they loved well..In our conversation, Karla shared how all our milestone moments can enhance our lives and how - if we are intentional with our connections - we can live well so we can also pass on well when the time comes.Reach out to continue this conversation with Karla on Linked in HERE or learn more about her on her website HERE! Find Karla on her social channels with the handle @karlacombrescelebrant Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailI first heard of – and became curious about – Samantha Alexander in her role as the President of the Western Carnival Development Association, which produces the Cariwest Festival in Canada’s “Festival City”, Edmonton, Alberta.She integrates her life in Edmonton with her frequent travels to the Caribbean. The combination has made her a dynamic leader for this vibrant, long-running, family-friendly festival!Samantha says she excels best in collaborative environments that allow her to utilize her strong communications and project management skills.She shows up in her day to day as Marketing Manager for MNP, one of Canada’s leading professional services firms. Through the development of strong relationships, they provide client-focused accounting, consulting, tax, and digital services.In her role she helps organizational leaders clarify and achieve their strategic objectives. Her approach combines curiosity, strategic thinking and out of the box tactics to drive positive change.In our conversation we talked about what connection means to her and how even the simple act of observation can create opportunities to connect over time.Her take on leading event teams could be a masterclass on event leadership and empowerment. Listen in and get ready to learn how you can better lead your event team to create better connections year over year over year!  Reach out to continue this conversation with Samantha on Linked in HERE or via the Cariwest Festival Website HERE! Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailRiaz Meghji is a human connection expert and author of the book “Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships”. After one conversation led him to take a dramatically different career path that changed his life for the better, he became dedicated to exploring the ways that authentic human connection can change lives and organizations.In addition to being a respected thought leader and author on the topic of human connection, Riaz is also an accomplished broadcaster with 17 years of television hosting experience; he has interviewed experts on current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics, and business.Riaz has hosted for Citytv’s Breakfast Television, MTV Canada, TEDx Vancouver, CTV News, and the Toronto International Film Festival. He is a natural storyteller with a proven ability to conduct engaging, in-depth conversations across various disciplines. His insights have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and Financial Post.He holds a degree in business from Simon Fraser University and studied leadership communication at Harvard and off-camera, Riaz dedicates himself to philanthropy and causes he cares about including Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Covenant House.It was in November 2022 that I “inhaled” Riaz’ book – and message of connection.Riaz’ book has made it to the "required reading" section of my library, and I encourage anyone planning or promoting events to take a read and consider how conversations can help you create the connections that matter!What a gift to learn more about Riaz in this conversation, understand more about why “every conversation counts”, and put my sharpie to work gathering the many “mic drop” moments and insights he offered.You might want to get out your sharpie as you listen in too! Reach out to continue this conversation with Riaz on his website HERE: www.RiazMeghji.com   Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailBrandi Morpurgo is the co-owner of Daisy Chain Book Co., and she runs two bookstores in Edmonton and Beaumont, Alberta and has worked hard to create a vibrant community of readers.In a previous life she was a Social Worker and Foster Parent who had the wild idea to start Alberta’s first book truck - a bookshop on wheels.That wild adventure took her all through central Alberta and gained attention around the world.Brandi reads a lot, delights in the calm task of doing a puzzle while drinking whiskey and listening to audiobooks, and her favorite feeling is giggling with her grown daughters until someone snorts.In our conversation today Brandi shares why she’s so passionate about creating community around books and how she has found success in developing the Daisy Chain Book community through book clubs.We got to know each other as my team here at Candy has been working to support the planning of the Administrative Professionals Conference in Edmonton happening on May 3 – just a few days away.Brandi believes that any event could benefit from having a local bookstore partner help curate both fiction and non-fiction titles for those in attendance.She graciously agreed to host our “Explore More Book and Resource Store” by curating books that could help the Admin Pros in their career journey. I can’t wait to see – and read – some of her recommendations!  Reach out to continue this conversation with Brandi by connecting through her website HERE -  www.daisychainbook.co  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan Mail'Segun Olude is a Graphic Design Professional, Design Educator, Storycrafter, Author, and my good friend.'Segun is a certified professional graphic designer who has developed brands and identities for professionals, businesses, and institutions. He is a Professional Member of Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (CGD Certified), with a range of skills in Graphic Design, Editorial Illustration, Editorial Design, Art Direction, Design Consulting, Design Education, and Design Seminar Facilitation. 'Segun has taught graphic design, design history, design theory and criticism, and other professional courses at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus and regularly speaks to virtual audiences at design conferences and seminars in Nigeria and internationally. Along with his wife, Titi, 'Segun visits Nigeria every year to train and equip leaders for community development and transformation, primarily in rural areas.In 2008 I met Segun as someone who could help me design the logo, look, and overall brand for my new company. I had chosen the name “Candy Consulting” a year or two before meeting Segun the first time but had buried the name deep in my sketchbooks as I felt no one would take me seriously. I’ve told the story many times about how I came into Segun’s office armoured up with a completely different direction for my brand. It was his kind personality, ability to listen, and expert design skills that gave me the grounding I needed in more ways than one.   Learn more about ‘Segun HERE: www.segunolude.comSee his photos and stories HERE: www.instagram.com/segunoludeWatch his PechKucha presentation HERE: https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations/a-conversation-with-my-25-year-old-self-brace-for-changeWatch his CreativeMorning Talk HERE: https://creativemornings.com/talks/virtual-what-s-in-your-story-box-segun-olude-on-design-and-storytelling-to-preserve-a-language/2 Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailIt’s Jaclyn Falkenberg’s calling in life is to support people to be successful. This is most evident in her career that has stretched over 20 years working as an Administrative Professional in various sectors including youth justice, charity, and finance. As a Senior Executive Assistant, she has supported five C-Suite Executives at TriWest Capital Partners, one of Canada’s leading private equity firms, for the last 10 years. She’s an expert at juggling multiple and competing priorities, strategic planning, event coordination, and partnership building. To enhance the scope of support she provides, she completed her Co-Active Leadership Coach training and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. She currently owns and operates Dare to Imagine Coaching Inc. and Indispensable EA Coaching & Consulting where she helps leaders maximize their personal and professional potential. Jaclyn has been an active volunteer for many non-profits. She just recently served her third term as a board director at Kids Up Front Calgary. As President of the Association of Administrative Professionals – or AAP – Calgary Branch, she is excited and honoured to lead an incredible team that supports administrative professionals to learn, grow and thrive and to advocate for the profession on a broad scale.As a long-time partner with AAP branches across the country, it’s been my joy to connect with Administrative Professionals over the years. But it’s extra special when I see the positive impact the group has in my own backyard here in Calgary!• • • • • Reach out to continue this conversation with Jaclyn Falkenberg on Linked in HERE or by email at [email protected] more about AAP HERE www.canadianadmin.ca or – if you are in the Calgary area – register HERE for Canadian Administrative Professionals Summit 2023 taking place on Administrative Professionals Day – April 26. {Registration closes April 17, 2023}• • • • • Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailDr. Victoria Burns, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband Hervé and Pinot, their grumpy poodle-bichon.As a registered social worker, educator, researcher, and engaged activist she has invested her energy and expertise in the homelessness and addiction-recovery sphere for over 15 years. She comes to her work with lived experience of addiction, recovery, and disability.Even with all her accomplishments, accolades, and awards I didn’t know of Victoria – her brave story of recovery – until last summer. She was introduced to me by a mutual connection and I learned she was the Director of the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) and Recovery On Campus (ROC) Alberta. Together with her ROC Team – which now includes me and my Candy Team – Victoria is on a mission to co-create peer-driven campus communities that support and celebrate all pathways of recovery for students, faculty, and staff in Alberta, Canada and beyond.I’ve had the joy of supporting the ROC Team as they officially launched the initiative in September of 2022 – helping them to strategically connect well with those they were looking to serve – the 26 Post-Secondary Institutions (PSI) spread far and wide in Alberta.We’ve also started to coach these passionate PSI’s to plan events as the start of what will become a network of recovery communities in the province!In our conversation today Victoria shares how the research shows that providing fun, informative, recovery-friendly events is one of the ways “community” is built on a campus.  And we're already seeing the result! You can connect with Dr. Victoria Burns via LinkedIn HERE.Read more about her work on the University of Calgary website HERE.  Learn more about UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) HERE. Learn more about Recovery On Campus (ROC) Alberta HERE. Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailDr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister is a lifelong learner who lives out her leadership through service to others. As an evidence-based chiropractor she provides exceptional and quality care to her patients through manual treatment, education, and rehabilitation exercises.Since we first met, I have been intrigued and inspired by Dr. Rebecca’s focus on collaboration with both patients and partners.She appreciates the role of all healthcare professionals within the healthcare system and fosters an inter-professional and collaborative approach to the care of each of her patients.When I asked Dr. Rebecca what “Connection” meant to her she quickly pulled from Brené Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection, quoting, “Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.”She believes it is imperative that her patients possess the self-confidence, and are equipped with the tools, to be active participants and self-advocates for their healthcare.Dr. Rebecca lives out her value of connection in her practice and, in our talk today, she even mapped out the road to creating and maintaining groups that can lead participants to a greater experience of health but also better connection with each other! You can find Dr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister via LinkedIn HERE or on her website HERE. Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailSharayah and Journee are deep thinkers, thoughtful connectors, and are sisters who have been through thick and thin together.They are two of the most intriguing and inspiring people I know ... and just happen to be my daughters.If you have been following my journey as I have built my business over the last 14 years, it’s almost guaranteed that you have seen snaps of my girls or heard my overwhelming gratitude that I get to be their Mom.I was so thankful when Sharayah (26) and Journee (22) agreed to sit down with me to have the conversation about connection as they have been my constant companions and courage-building companions through thick and thin too.For as long as I can remember the three of us have enjoyed mapping out a road trip, preparing the seats in the mini-van with big comfy blankets, packing up the dogs, cranking up the tunes and heading on the open road to enjoy time by a lake, in the mountains, or cruising over the Coquihalla Summit to visit my parents on the West Coast of Canada.These road trips have been – and continue to be – times to shut out the world and connect but also to coil into deep conversation about current events and concepts we are curious about.The miles we’ve travelled together have been a gift and the winding roads became a treasured thread through some very tough times.Thank you for choosing to join us on today’s “road trip” as we chat about what connection means to them, what strategies they used to manage making friends through almost a dozen moves in their younger years, and what it’s like to navigate connection as bi-racial young adults.If you’re snuggled in … let’s dive in!Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailJessica McNaughton has learned that by chasing the things that bring her joy and that help her feel fulfilled – more would come.She now spends her days following that positive energy and engaging with those that drive her purpose forward. As the CEO, and Founder of memoryKPR technologies, Jessica is joyfully building a company committed to connecting the world through story. She believes we all have more habits to capture media than ever before but fewer safe solutions to create and protect our stories for the future.Jessica is ensuring we have somewhere to keep the most cherished memories for years to come.Prior to starting memoryKPR, she was a C suite exec who spent 25+ years in progressively senior roles in some of Canada's most respected companies, building high-performance teams and managing transformational change.As a busy Mom, Jessica jokes to her children often, that she has 3 kids, Jacob, Jakson, and memoryKPR. Something my kids could certainly identify with – lol!I chatted with Jessica virtually from her home of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan about her exciting start up based out of the near-by, vibrant prairie city, Regina, the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.I love how Jessica shares how connection – to her – feels like a big warm blanket that wraps us up and warms our relationships.Given that she is calling on her long-time relationships to build a platform that helps us all create deep, lasting, long-time relationships – it’s a perfect analogy.You can find Jessica via LinkedIn HERE or on the memoryKPR website HERE.Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailDr. John Rook is a passionate servant leader who champions the belief that poverty can be solved. With a doctorate from Oxford University, he has spent years both at the front lines and in academia to gain both a theoretical and practical understanding of the issues facing people in poverty. It is this perspective that makes him a desired speaker at conferences – tackling topics related to poverty and prosperity and policy change. As the President & CEO of Simon House Recovery Centre, John builds trust with his practical, hands-on approach thanks to several decades of work in the trenches.Simon House in Calgary, Alberta, has been in their community for over 40 years, and has been founded on a culture of care. The goal of the organization is to guide and empower men to achieve long-term recovery from addiction and all its effects. Under John’s leadership, and his empowered staff, Simon House leads from the Core Values of compassion, acceptance, respect, integrity, accountability, and innovation, and are leading the way in addiction treatment and lifelong recovery.In our conversation we discussed that many going through challenges use substances to help them disconnect from life’s pain. John shares with us how by building a trust-filled community at Simon House, men in the program can start a new journey, and begin the work of reconnecting with life in healthy ways! You can find John by email at [email protected] or learn more about Simon House on their website HERE.  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailPreethi Balasubramanian, MBA, ACEA, CCAP, PACE learned from an early age the value of connection.She soaked in the connection with her family growing up in India and naturally worked to bring friends together into that feeling of family as well!Preethi has grown into her life path as an award winning, certified experienced Administrative and Human Resources professional with 15 years of experience supporting senior and C-suite executives, Board of Directors, and leading HR initiatives at various organizations from start-ups to large Multi-National Corporations.Currently as the Owner of her own Virtual Executive Assistant business, the Wonder EA, Preethi provides administrative, social media and communication, people and HR, board governance and executive support services to coaches, speakers, and small entrepreneurs. Preethi holds an MBA degree with a double major in Human Resources and Information Technology. She also obtained a Certificate in Business Communication for The University of Toronto and participated in The Leadership in Administration Program at The Rotman School of Business. She holds the international designation as an Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant (ACEA). She also has the Canadian designation Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) and the American designation Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE). Preethi and I met in her role as the President of the Toronto Branch of the Association of Administrative Professionals of Canada where I have been investing as a long-time partner through Candy Event Consulting, supporting Admin Pros who plan and promote their own events. What a joy to learn more about Preethi in our conversation and be inspired by her unique and infectious way of creating connections!You can find Preethi on LinkedIn HERE – or on her Wonder EA website – HERE. Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailI had been following James Robilotta, CSP – an accomplished author, speaker, coach, and emcee – on LinkedIn over the last couple of months but it wasn’t his credentials that caught my eye – it was his keen focus on authentic connections that made me curious.When inviting him to a conversation about connection (that I recorded for you all to share in) it was cool to hear how his definition of “Connection” was right in line with the foundation of our Candy Community – specifically that connection grows when all feel “seen, heard, and considered”. James has aspired to live his life authentically – for his whole life – and chose to put pen to paper in 2015 to write his first book “Leading Imperfectly – The Value of Being Authentic for Leaders, Professionals, and Human Beings."Long before the book came to be, James had been speaking internationally to willing & unwilling audiences about curiosity, authentic leadership, and vulnerability since 2009. He now speaks to over 60 groups a year, bringing his thought-provoking talks, each one infused with self-awareness and comedy stemming from his background as a trained stand-up and improv comedian. His clients include American Express, General Electric (GE), Accenture, SHRM, ATD, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many others. It’s his goal to leave audiences feeling happier and ready to take on their responsibilities and the world. I’m all for that. Thanks James.  I was able to visit James virtually who was in his home in St Paul, Minnesota. You can find James on LinkedIn HERE – or on his website – HERE. www.JamesTRobo.comMeaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailLindsey Sinclair is an active listener, big picture brainstormer, passionate problem solver, energetic educator, and – yes – a natural connector. Lindsey happily puts all these skills – and her ability to show up authentically – to her work as the Business Development Manager at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis.Her background in events began over a decade ago from coordinating festivals to then working as a supplier in a Destination Management Company (DMC), to diving into the Destination Management Organization (DMO) world where she now is a resource for planners who look to host their events in Canmore and Kananaskis.Like many people emerging from lockdowns in the travel, tourism, and “events world” – Lindsey and I reconnected with a renewed enthusiasm and curiosity to explore what could be next for connectors like us! On October 22-23 I hosted Candy’s first 2-day, deep-dive retreat for everyday event planners – The Ultimate Event Experience in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  The room was filled with comfy chairs, coffees in hand, and concentrated conversation about how to create alignment between who we truly are and how we show up to the world around us. We then applied that learning a to find alignment between the purpose of our events and how we could share that purpose with others.  Lindsey agreed to jump in to not only learn with the small group of seven in-house and do-it-yourself event planners over the two days, but also showed up to offer feedback in our “Purpose Presentation” portion of the weekend. In our conversation today Lindsey unpacks some insight she received from her time at The Ultimate, and shares her thoughts on shifting from being approval-driven to living authentically! You can find Lindsey on LinkedIn HERE – or on the Tourism Canmore Kananaskis website – HERE.  www.ExploreCanmore.caProduction Note: This episode was previously recorded the week after Candy's retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - that took place on October 22-23, 2022#candyevent_theultimate #candyeventretreat2022 #candyeventcommunity #candyeventworkshops #candyeventacademy #candyeventconsulting #theconnectionarchitect #lisagareauconnectioncoachMeaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailKyle Craik is a martial arts black belt, wellness community builder, and the Founder of The Wellness Dojo*.When Kyle thinks about connection he thinks about community. His journey to a black belt took patience, care, and an ability to embrace the journey. It also took a network that was ready to support him, push him, lift up him up, and – yes even knock him down (in a healthy way!) – so he could get stronger.  With nearly 30 years in martial arts, he has brought the world of discipline, learning, self-exploration, and focus that martial arts taught him and created a community built to help anyone take control of living a healthier life. At Candy’s first 2-day deep-dive retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - Kyle led us through an exclusive, poolside "martial arts 101” wellness session. The few of us that joined in felt a bit out of our element as newbies, but we also felt that warm the feeling of connection. Now Kyle finds joy working with his clients in the areas of massage therapy, fitness and nutrition coaching, and martial arts and, and, in our conversation today, shares how anyone can become a "Wellness Black Belt"!You can find Kyle – and discuss how he could help you on your wellness journey – HERE. Interested to hear the inspirational story of Pam, one of Kyles clients? You can find Pam's Story HERE! *Curious what the word "Dojo" means? Listen in to find out! Production Note: This episode was previously recorded before Candy's  retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - that took place on October 22-23, 2022  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailEver since she was young, Lucy Brazier, OBE*, has been driven to drive people together to have conversations. As one of the world’s leading authorities on the administrative profession, CEO of Marcham Publishing, specialist publishers of Executive Support Magazine, Lucy’s passion is for the Assistant role to be truly recognized as a career and not just a job. With access to the most forward-thinking, passionate, and knowledgeable administrative business leaders in the world, as well as personally meeting and speaking to literally thousands of Assistants over the last 10 years, Lucy’s knowledge of the market and what Assistants all over the world are facing on a day-to-day basis are second to none. In a survey conducted by Lucy’s team, she found 87% of assistants plan events as part of their role. That’s no surprise as Lucy shares the assistant’s superpower is process and procedure ... all mixed up with great people skills. Who better to plan events for a business, organization, or group!We talked about the difference between “teamwork” and “collaboration”. Brilliantly, Lucy shares how collaboration is not just working together, it’s thinking together. She advocates that it’s time for Executives and Assistants to start thinking together so that – together – they can work toward larger, more meaningful goals.Lucy now lives in Spain – 100 meters from the sea – which is where I caught up with her for this conversation.  You can find Lucy anytime – even as she travels the around the globe with her message – HERE. Find a Resources and Conversations on her Executive Support Magazine Channel on YouTube HERE. *In 2021 Lucy was awarded an OBE in recognition for her services to office professionals. The OBE is an Officer of the British Empire which was awarded by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List in 2021.Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailTrish Tutton helps organizations and individuals learn to use mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety so that they can thrive in life and at work.After years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success, Trish suffered a shocking loss and things became clear: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to live and work happier to thousands of professionals and has created positive change for her clients to become happier, more productive, effective and successful without the busy badge of honour. In our conversation today Trish shares with us what it means to “re-member” who we are by reconnecting the parts of us that have been scattered. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.Her warmth and wisdom shine through in her coaching and training … and just as much in this conversation.You can find Trish on her website HERE, Instagram at @trish_tutton or on Facebook at Trish Tutton Mindfulness page HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca  The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca   Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailCaitlyn Hamblin is a natural connector, creator, and podcast enthusiast. She learned from her mom – who she called the "Mayor of Truro, Nova Scotia" – how to walk up to anyone and make them feel seen, heard, and considered.Caitlyn is an Executive Assistant in Business Development and Marketing at Lindsay Construction based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia near Halifax, an Atlantic Ocean port in eastern Canada - the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. A leader in her profession, she now puts her “connection savvy” to work as the President of the Atlantic Branch of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP). And AAP is the reason we met - and became fast friends at at the AAP National Conference in PEI this last June where I was honoured to be chosen to speak to the dynamic and dedicated Administrative Professionals in attendance.In our conversation Caitlyn expressed how “when we’re surrounded by people we naturally connect with, we can do great things."!  Her new passion project, “Cait Collabs”, launched in 2022 with the goal of connecting brands and generating collaborations between big-picture creative women. Her collaborative initiative is such a great example of her belief in action! Connections can be polished, professional, and also be a lot of fun like the doing goofy Instagram reels on a cold beach in PEI! (Yes, you'll hear that story when you listen in.)  Caitlyn also reminds us that keeping connections strong we need to be intentional about reaching out while – at the same time – taking care of ourselves along the way. This conversation was a fun one and became a natural first episode for Season 2. I think it will set the tone for our new season The Connector Next Door and I hope you do too. Welcome back Connectors! You can find Caitlyn on LinkedIn HERE and check out her new passion project “Cait Collabs” on Instagram HERE.A special note as of September 24, 2022: My conversation with Caitlyn was recorded before the devastating “historic” storm hit Atlantic Canada. The next days and weeks will be difficult for those in the area because of Hurricane Fiona. We wish all those affected a safe and speedy recovery once the wind and water recedes. Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailMy long-time, dear friend, Grace Gee, is a Chinese Canadian who now resides in Louisville, Colorado. Grace has lived and worked in Canada, the US and Hong Kong and has traveled widely in Europe and Asia. It was over 25 years ago that we met in Calgary, working side by side at a postal plant conveyor belt sorting holiday packages to their final destinations. We both knew our time there would be short lived, but our friendship endured. Grace is an artist. Her life and work as an artist have been deeply influenced by her bi-cultural upbringing and she’s strongly rooted in spiritual growth, healing, and transformation.As she explains in our conversation today, her art holds space for vulnerability to exist, and her upcoming installation is evidence of how deeply that is true for her.Grace has exhibited across the US, in both group and solo exhibitions and her award-winning work has brought her invitations to exhibitions, artist residencies, interviews, and even published works. What a joy, on this my last episode of Season one, to sit down and explore how art can awaken us to the value and importance of deep connection with each other.You can find Grace on her website HERE ( www.HealingGraceStudio.com ) and on Instagram HERE. Learn more about her Brave Pathways Exhibit HERE . You can participate in her upcoming project Bubbling Up: Giving Voice to Injustice at the following two events:• History Colorado Center in Denver on May 7th for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Wellness Day Event. • Denver Zoo (at the Toyota Elephant Plaza) on May 15th  for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Celebration Event. You can contact Grace by email to learn more, connect, volunteer, or support her work at  [email protected]  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailChrista Hiebert is a soulful advocate who approaches life with open arms; no challenge is too mighty.As a community builder, Office Manager and Executive Assistant at Alaris Equity Partners, and a dedicated mom of two girls, she looks at every challenge as a chance to learn, grow, and thrive.She’s an igniter and inspiring leader who serves as the volunteer President of the Calgary Branch of The Association of Administrative Professionals. Since Christa and I met a couple of years ago I have admired her sass, grit, and unshakable belief to change the status quo. We became fast friends and aligned in our desire to empower those working behind the scenes to make their companies, organizations, and communities stronger and more connected to those they work to serve.It was with that grit and a growing appreciation for those that have fought – and are still fighting – for our freedom that she advocated to paint a Poppy Crosswalk in her home of Chestermere, Alberta and founded "Glorious and Free" a Canadian Veterans Awareness Group in 2021.In her downtime her thirst for adventure takes over and has landed her on multiple wake surfing podiums and her fearless tenacity guides her through avalanche terrain on her snowmobile.Today she continues to use her platform to uplift others while staying connected, supported, educated, and empowered to shine.   You can find Christa on LinkedIn HERE, learn more about the Association of Administrative Professionals HERE, or support her “Glorious and Free” initiatives HERE!  Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailWakefield Brewster – “Da Lyrical Pitbull” – is a proud, professional poet, spoken word artist, and Professional Poetic Interpreter™️.Since January 1999, Wakefield has been known as one of Canada’s most popular and prolific Performance Poets. He is a black man born and raised in Toronto, by parents hailing from the island of beautiful Barbados, and he has called Calgary home since 2006. In 2019, he was appointed as the very First Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the E.A.R. Society – Emergency Artist’s Relief Society, providing emergency relief funding and affordable Health Care for Artists. Wakefield says one of his greatest presents to the world is bringing a poetic presence into places where people don’t expect poetry to be. In this age of information and sharing stories, Wakefield believes in the power language and in this artistic form – the live expression of these stories. He believes poetry is a way of bringing people together. A way to create safe place for people to connect. These days Wakefield is everywhere but it was a gift to slow down, have a seat on his virtual couch, and discuss how connection is built through poetry and to hear more about the passion he carries for the spoken word … and it’s unifying nature. You can find Wakefield – everywhere online – AND at his NEW website at www.WakefieldBrewster.com    Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us Fan MailEvan Babins is a self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie”, a tech savvy event producer, and event industry trendsetter. He has managed event logistics and technical event production for many world class clients like: Nissan Canada, Equitable Bank, Kia Canada, Novartis, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, just to name a few. He continues his passion for events as the new Events & Marketing Manager for Klir. He has hard-won, long-time, experience in both the live, hybrid, and virtual event spaces. That experience has won him a reputation as someone to watch as the events grow and change in the months and years to come. Evan has been listed as one of BizBash’s Top 250 Event Professionals and one of Special Event Magazine's “Top 20 Young Event Pro's to Watch”.He believes it’s so important that event planners come together to share ideas, resources, and connections. When we open the curtain to reveal the experts behind the scenes, we can all learn what it means to create a seamless event production by connecting well with our event teams, partners, and attendees. Evan sat down with me for this virtual visit from his home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and quickly shared how it’s his desire to work with good people, doing good work, for good clients. I’m thankful to have met Evan – a truly good person in the events industry – and to be able share our conversation with you all!You can find Evan and continue the conversation on LinkedIn HERE Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!