BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Dive deeper with focused, high-impact breakout sessions

Monday, February 2 | 1:30PM - 2:30 PM (1st Block)

Beyond the Trends: Design to Impact with Kristin Banta

Speaker: Kristin Banta

In a world where social media algorithms and AI-generated content shape client inspiration, how do you break free from the expected and design the exceptional? Join Kristin Banta in this interactive breakout session, where she will explore the latest trends and guide attendees through real-world case studies of her client work. From Pinterest boards to AI-curated references, she’ll show how to turn familiar ideas into layered, high-impact experiences that tell a story.

This breakout session will equip creatives with strategies to pitch bold concepts, elevate a client’s unique vision, and design with authenticity and lasting impact. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions for an open Q&A, making this a hands-on, interactive experience.

AI in Action: Case Studies and Workflows for Planners

Speaker: Anca Platon Trifan

A collaborative lab where we deploy real event workflows powered by AI. We'll work through essential AI tools event professionals need now, analyze case studies to identify what worked and what failed, and practice spotting ethical red flags before they become problems. Participants engage in guided exercises to co-create solutions, exploring where automation or augmentation delivers real value without cutting corners. Leave equipped with actionable workflows, tested tools, and the confidence to adopt AI responsibly in your events.

The Brain Behind the Braindates:

A Fireside Chat with Christine Renaud & Adrien Tombari

Speakers: Christine Renaud & Adrien Tombari

Session Description Coming

This session is sponsored by adn.

Event Sponsorship Toolbox For Success

Speaker: Brent Barootes

The terrain you work in has changed. And it will have changed again by next year (if not next week). This means to generate sponsorship revenue you have to adapt. This session will provide you with the Four Steps to Event Sponsorship Success. Understand how technology has changed this terrain; how data collection is essential and what a real “relationship” is! Through story telling, case studies, discussion and interaction you will walk away with a quick and easy blueprint to raising more sponsorship revenue for your experiences and events. 

Women in Leadership

Speaker: Trish Knox

A candid, collaborative conversation on building leadership careers in an era of disconnection—and redefining what leadership in events can look like.

In an industry built on connection, many women are navigating careers in a world that feels increasingly disconnected—less face-to-face time, fewer organic mentorship opportunities, and more pressure to “self-manage” their growth. At the same time, women in events are stepping into boardrooms, leading agencies, and shaping the future of the profession in powerful new ways.

In this session, Trish Knox draws on her 30-year journey—from young mom balancing early career demands to corporate boardroom contributor to global agency leader—to open an honest discussion about what it really takes to grow, lead, and thrive today.

We’ll explore the realities women face, the skills that accelerate leadership, and the mindset shifts that create opportunity.

This is not a lecture—it’s a collective conversation. Together, we’ll unpack the evolving career landscape and share practical strategies for building influence, confidence, and leadership paths that feel authentic and achievable.

How Much Should I Charge?

Speaker: Sebastién David

Is your pricing strategy still relevant, or has it become a relic of the past? Hourly, fixed, or hybrid—discover the perfect mix, just like crafting a great cocktail.

We'll dive into mark-ups, kickbacks, discounts, and, most importantly, how to present all of this to your clients in compelling proposals. To make it even more exciting, we'll sprinkle in some mathematical and chemical formulas to ensure your pricing strategy is as precise as a Swiss watch.

Get ready to explore the must-dos and avoid the pitfalls of event pricing with insights that will elevate your approach to the next level.

From Operator to Architect: Leading, Building, and Staying Relevant in a Changing Events Industry

Speaker: Carly Silberstein

Session Description Coming

Creating Culturally Safe Event Spaces for Indigenous Peoples

Speakers: Michelle Lean & Matt Ward

This session will provide planning considerations for supporting Indigenous Peoples and events and the types of questions to ask and prepare for. This will include planning for protocol and ceremony, what Elder support looks like, how to support Indigenous businesses, and space to ask questions in a safe and supportive environment.

Making the Magic Look Easy - Practical Tips for Stage, Talent, and Production Management

Speaker: AJ Carroll

This session will dive into the nuts and bolts of making events run smoothly—from stage management to talent coordination—so your team and your audience experience the magic without a hitch.

Key Takeaways:

  • Approach to Stage Management

    • Stage Managers' Checklist

    • What to have in your tool kit

    • How to anticipate needs, keep the show on time, and stay calm under pressure.

    • How to run an effective rehearsal

    • Tips for managing cues, timing, and transitions.

  • Talent Management

    • Effective pre-production communication with performers and speakers.

    • Creating a seamless experience from arrival through the end of the show.

    • Best practices for supporting everyone involved in your event.

  • Recommended Positions for Stage & Talent Management

    • Who you need on your team and what each role contributes.

  • Integrating with the Production Team

    • How to collaborate with AV, lighting, and technical crews.

    • Strategies for clear communication and shared responsibilities.

  • Tips for Last-Minute Stage Managers

    • When you’re hired only for the day of the event, what documents do you ask the event producer to provide, and how do you quickly get up to speed and manage the show effectively?

Outcome:

Attendees will leave with practical strategies, real-world tips, and insider insights to make their events run flawlessly while keeping the backstage chaos invisible to the audience.

Exclusive Tour: Behind the Scenes with Production World

Go behind the curtain of the GO WEST Main Stage and see how big ideas become live experiences. This exclusive tour offers an inside look at the technical production powering the show — from lighting and audio to cues and show flow — while connecting you with the expert Production World team who brought the vision to life.

Monday, February 2 | 2:45PM - 3:45 PM (2nd Block)

Event Registration and How to Use AI to Help

Speaker: Evan Babins

AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a game-changer for how we plan and manage events. In this breakout session, Evan Babins will discuss how event teams can streamline registration processes, personalize attendee experiences, and automate time-consuming tasks using AI tools already at their fingertips. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, real examples, and easy ways to start integrating AI into their workflow, right away.

Wired for Engagement: The Neuroscience Behind Memorable Events

Speaker: Lisa Schulteis

By integrating neuroscience into event design, you can design experiences that resonate with your audience, driving stronger connections and leaving lasting impressions.

This session explores how understanding the brain’s natural processes—like trust-building, memory formation, and sensory engagement—can transform your events into extraordinary experiences that leave your audience inspired and connected.

Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, marketing activation, or large-scale conference, you’ll gain actionable strategies to design events that captivate and engage.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how to leverage neuroscience principles to build trust and foster authentic connections during events.

  • Discover how to craft challenging, engaging content that stimulates curiosity, retention, and emotional resonance.

  • Apply multisensory techniques to design experiences that inspire action and create lasting value for your audience.

Beyond the Keynote: Building a Complete Content Experience

Speaker: Adrien Tombari

Session Description Coming

This session is sponsored by adn.

Break Into AI: Your Interactive Guide to Practical Event AI

Speaker: Arthur Kerekes

Stop sitting on the sidelines....it's time to break into AI. This isn't a lecture; it's an interactive session where YOU choose what we explore. At the start, we'll vote on which AI topics matter most to you right now: Prompting Techniques, Vibe Coding, Productivity Hacks, Marketing & Content, Data & Analytics, or Understanding LLMs. Then we'll dive deep into your chosen topics with live demos, practical examples, and tools you can use immediately. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, this session adapts to what you need. Come ready to participate, learn, and leave with actionable AI strategies for your life and business.

How to Budget AV for the WOW Effect

Speaker: Etienne St. Jacques

Join Avante’s Technical Director, Étienne St-Jacques, for a clear and practical breakdown of how to budget effectively for AV needs at your next major event. Designed for planners working on conferences, galas, and other flagship experiences, discover how to stretch your AV budget dollars further into a show-stopping ‘wow’ moment your audience will remember.

Étienne will guide you through navigating in-house AV rules so you can work with your preferred partner, while avoiding unexpected costs that can erode your budget. You’ll learn how to make smart technology choices and plan with intention to produce an exceptional experience from start to finish.

Attendees will leave with a simple, repeatable budgeting process that can be applied immediately—so your next high-impact event looks exceptional without blowing the budget.

Think You’re Not Creative? Give Me 60 Minutes!

Speaker: Joelle Tripp

So many of us say we “aren’t creative,” as if it's reserved for artists or designers only. In this high-energy session, Joelle breaks down how creativity actually works and shows you how ideas really form — from noticing tiny details, to sketching concepts, to turning ordinary spaces into memorable experiences. You’ll learn how to wake up your creative instincts, where to look for inspiration beyond Pinterest, and how a few intentional design moves can elevate even the most standard event. If you’ve ever doubted your creativity, give Joelle 60 minutes — she’ll prove you wrong.

Fueling Generosity: The Strategy Behind Game-Changing Fundraising Events

Speaker: Margo Buckley

This session will help the event professional partner with purpose. How to spot and support a healthy non-profit - from their mindset to event expectations. This breakout session will also explore The Champion Model: a 4-step fundraising strategy that is event-driven & built from a philanthropic mindset. Learn how to fill the room with people ready to give, the power of storytelling, and the science of the ask (and who should make it). This is the event pro’s playbook for fundraising success.

Turning Host Cities Into Powerful Storytelling Assets

Speakers: Jessica Haire & Anna Look

Learn how to collaborate with DMOs to expand your program’s impact, elevate the attendee journey, and showcase your host city with intention. From destination storytelling to building more robust content, this session shows you how “place” becomes part of the experience. This session is designed for multi-city planners and DMOs alike, offering a shared space to explore how destination storytelling elevates the event experience.

Exclusive Tour: Behind the Scenes with Edmonton Convention Centre

Step inside the Edmonton Convention Centre with a private, guided tour of its versatile event spaces. Explore the venues, layouts, and behind-the-scenes details that support events of every scale — and gain insight into how this world-class convention centre delivers seamless experiences.