Speakers
We search for the best and brightest minds in our industry. We are bringing them together at GO WEST 25 for you to learn from and connect with. Our speaker lineup is strategically curated to provide you with the greatest value. Our speakers are committed to immersing themselves in and being prevalent throughout the 3 days. This is your opportunity to engage directly with industry thought-leaders.
Aaron Billesberger – Vancouver, British Columbia
Regional Programming Co-Chair, The Event Safety Alliance of Canada
Aaron Billesberger is an accomplished crowd safety manager with over 29 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. His expertise encompasses event crowd safety planning and management as well as incident, emergency and crisis management and response. He currently serves as the Regional Programming Co-Chair for the Event Safety Alliance of Canada and Director of Special Projects & Training at Guardteck Security Co.
Aaron is a certified Crowd Safety Manager through both the Square Meter Group (UK) and the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He is also an active member of the Event Safety Alliance of Canada (ESAC), Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA), and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM).
Throughout his career, Aaron has worked with multidisciplinary teams in every stage of planning and delivering for over 1200 special events across western Canada. He is currently contracted as the Director of Security & Crowd Safety for several major Live Nation festivals and events in Western Canada as well as various other live music, sporting and special events.
Aaron has played a key role in designing and facilitating training and mentorship programs for security teams, commercial tenants, property managers, and emergency managers.
As a lifelong learner, Aaron continuously seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge, which he shares with others. He has most recently presented on event safety topics at the Actsafe Safety Association Conference (2024) and the Event Safety Alliance of Canada Conference (2024).
Anh Nguyen – Calgary, Alberta
Founder, Spark Event Collective
Anh Nguyen is also the founder of the Spark Event Collective, a network of independent planners collaborating to deliver event experiences across Canada.
Anh is a seasoned business event professional who possesses over 20 years of event design, production, and management experience. She has managed a vast array of events including intimate corporate functions, awards and fundraising galas, large conferences, virtual events, and conventions and tradeshows and is known for her keen eye for detail while being able to lead, inspire and manage large, global teams.
Anh discovered her passion and enthusiasm for the industry early and has held senior event management roles at a number of event management and event technology agencies.
Anh has held her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and has served on the board of directors for many industry associations including the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Anh lead 50 leading event professionals to coordinate the Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) Goes Virtual initiative, was a PCMA Visionary Award finalist, and in 2024 was named one of the most influential event professionals in Canada.
Avery Swartz – Toronto, Ontario
Founder & CEO, Camp Tech
Avery is the founder and CEO of Camp Tech, and author of the best-selling book See You on the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing. Avery is the resident tech contributor on CTV Your Morning and is regularly heard on CBC Radio. Avery was ranked number 5 on Search Engine Journal's Top 50 Women in Marketing list and hosted the AI Meets World podcast from Microsoft and The Globe and Mail Content Studio.
Azaali Jetha – Edmonton, Alberta
Owner, Prickly Pear Creative
Azaali Jetha is a passionate digital marketing professional and the owner of Prickly Pear Creative, an Edmonton-based marketing agency. Her diverse career has taken her from marketing for a robotics company to promoting a wedding venue, showcasing her adaptability and expertise across industries.
An avid traveler and world explorer, Azaali draws inspiration from her global experiences, bringing fresh perspectives and creativity to her work. With extensive experience participating in tradeshows and events, she has a keen understanding of how to create impactful campaigns and engaging content.
Azaali loves empowering others by sharing her knowledge, whether it’s through crafting innovative marketing strategies or teaching workshops on practical skills like phone photography. When she’s not helping brands grow, you’ll often find her planning her next adventure or blending creativity and strategy in the dynamic world of digital marketing.
Brandee Gaar – Winter Garden, Florida
Owner, The Wedding Pro CEO
Brandee is a luxury Event Planner, Wedding Industry Thought Leader, Educational Speaker and Host of The Wedding Pro CEO Podcast. She’s on a mission to help wedding business owners scale to 7 figures without the burnout.
Through online courses, strategic coaching, in-person summits, and dynamic social media content, Brandee is leading a movement of wedding business owners ready to embrace their role as CEO and build the profitable businesses they’ve always envisioned.
Brian Hansen – Edmonton, Alberta
Creative Director, fuze ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS
Brian Hansen is a highly regarded creator and performer with over 19 years of experience as the Creative Director of fuze ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS. A prominent figure in the entertainment industry, Brian is known for seamlessly blending artistry, innovation, and strategic vision in every project he oversees.
His career began in the world of dance, where his passion for movement and experimental theatre laid the groundwork for his early work. This deep understanding of choreography and performance dynamics naturally transitioned into his role in corporate entertainment. In 2006, Brian co-founded fuze ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS, a company recognized for its pioneering experiential design, custom performances, and multimedia productions. Under his direction, fuze has become synonymous with high-energy, visually stunning experiences that redefine corporate entertainment.
Brian’s expertise extends beyond directing; he excels in creating immersive experiences that captivate and leave lasting impressions. His unique ability to combine artistic flair with strategic insight has made him a sought-after collaborator for a broad range of projects, from prestigious corporate events to innovative performance art.
Spanning over four decades, Brian’s work continues to influence the entertainment industry. As Co-founder and Creative Director of fuze, he plays an integral role in talent management, developing new entertainment acts, and shaping the company’s creative direction.
Brian’s portfolio includes events such as choreographing for Disney during CBC’s 50-Year Anniversary Special, creating and executing entertainment at a private event for Prince Charles, and designing and choreographing a performance for Germany’s Emmy Awards in Cologne. His work has been featured globally across North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, and has collaborated with renowned brands such as IBM, Toyota, Panasonic, Canon, Sony, UBS, Dentsu, and Jack Morton.
Caitlin McElhone – Edmonton, Alberta
Owner & Lead Planner, CM Events Inc.
Caitlin is the visionary force behind CM Events Inc., recognized for her dynamic leadership, creativity, and meticulous organizational skills.
From her beginnings in Marketing and Clothing & Textile Design at the University of Alberta, Caitlin worked as a lead planner with ComLinks Events for six years, contributing to projects locally and globally. Since founding CM Events in 2011, Caitlin has curated exceptional experiences, notably the award-winning CASA Gala which she earned distinction as an Esprit Award finalist for Best Gala Décor and Production in 2023.
Recognized as Planner of the Year by MPI Edmonton and a consecutive winner at the Edmonton Event Awards, Caitlin is not only an influential event professional but a dedicated educator and leader, contributing to the NAIT Event Management program for over 8 years and participating as an active board member on ILEA for almost a decade.
A true advocate for Edmonton and passionate about urban living, she actively supports local businesses, markets, and festivals. Caitlin resides in downtown Edmonton with her husband and two sons.
Clark Campbell – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Principal Founder, RVRB
Clark is the Principal Founder of RVRB, a visual content partner specializing in emotionally-intelligent, real-time content for live events. With a passion for crafting high-impact messaging that aligns with business objectives, Clark has built a global career producing inspiring content for a wide array of events, including leadership conferences, entertainment events, and major brands like Delta Air Lines, NASCAR, the Southeastern Conference, Chick-fil-A, and CVent.
Clark and his team are renowned for developing world-class messaging strategies that resonate across multiple platforms. Under his leadership, RVRB continues to set new benchmarks for speed and quality, empowering organizations to communicate effectively and leave lasting impressions.
Based near scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee, Clark is a proud father to his two children, Emma and Reid. When he’s not driving creativity at work, he enjoys hands-on hobbies like yard work and piloting small aircraft across the South.
Darby Lee Young – Calgary, Alberta
Accessibility Strategist and Founder, Level Playing Field Inc.
Darby Lee Young is a leading accessibility strategist and the founder of Level Playing Field Inc., with over 16 years of experience in creating inclusive spaces and events. Born with mild cerebral palsy, Darby draws from her lived experience and professional expertise to help organizations break down barriers and move beyond compliance.
Her work includes high-profile projects across North America, such as consulting for the Stagecoach Music Festival and spearheading accessibility initiatives for major developments. As a former national para-alpine skier and a certified ADA Coordinator, Darby brings a unique perspective on the intersection of accessibility, design, and user experience.
Darby is a dynamic speaker who captivates audiences with actionable insights and a transformative vision for building a more inclusive and accessible world.
Dave Crainford – Markham, Ontario
Managing Director & Executive Producer, SenovvA
Dave has been inspiring awe and evoking wonder in audiences since he helped produce his first electronic music party at age 16. He left the business of nightlife behind long ago. But the concept of creating communal experiences that exemplify originality, stoke curiosity, and achieve a desired effect have defined his career ever since.
Today Dave applies his 20+ years of experience as a creative, technical, and strategic orchestrator of productions in his role as Managing Director. He guides clients through the process of creating a public presence that literally brings a brand to life and moves an audience to action.
Under his leadership, the company continues to grow by offering clients a wholly original opportunity to create the memorable, measurable moments that define brand-building in the modern era.
For Dave, a project isn’t an opportunity to show what SenovvA is capable of. For him, the only purpose is to prove what his clients are capable of, and give them the power to realize that potential effectively, efficiently, and delivered flawlessly.
Hannah Whittaker – Edmonton, Alberta
Event Lead, NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)
With a BA in Design for Theatre and Television, and a certified Event Accessibility Strategist, Hannah has been working in the events and theatre industries both locally and internationally for almost 20 years.
Most recently Hannah was the Events Specialist at Edmonton Public Library where she was responsible for the award-winning Grand Opening of the revitalized Stanley A. Milner Library. She also acted at the Program Lead for the Holy Mass at Commonwealth Stadium during the Pope's 2022 historic visit.
Hannah is currently an Event Lead with NAIT, has served on the Board of the Edmonton Chapter of the International Live Events Association, and is a member of the Event Safety Alliance Canada.
Jocelyn Flanagan – Toronto, Ontario
Founder & CEO, e=mc² events
As Founder & CEO of e=mc² events, a global event management and production agency based in Canada and recognized around the world, Jocelyn Flanagan is actively involved in every aspect of the company from business development to stage production. With innovative vision and a “can do” attitude, Jocelyn loves strategizing with clients about how to achieve their objectives and then bringing it to life in new and unique ways.
An idea initiator, a strategic wizard and a choreographer of things that matter, Jocelyn is the underlying inspiration that continues to push e=mc2 . Beyond building her business, she is passionate about helping aspiring industry leaders, Olympic athletes and youth to reach their full potential through her powerful, caring and humble mentoring style. She has been recognized as; a Woman of Inspiration, a Business Leader of Tomorrow, a Top 40 under 40, the Canadian Event Producer of the Year and has received the Spirit of the Industry award. Her company, e=mc2 has been listed as one of the 50 Top Event Companies in the world and has been awarded nationally and internationally with over 55 event awards to date. They have also recently added e=mc² productions, a production and broadcast division to their portfolio.
Jocelyn believes we can change lives through live event experiences and she relishes any opportunity to promote the industry in front of any crowd that will listen.
Jody Paulson – Edmonton, Alberta
National Chair, ILEA Canada
Jody is a highly skilled event professional with an impressive 30 years of experience in the planning, management, and development of high-quality events. With a diverse background encompassing both not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, Jody possesses a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in orchestrating successful events of various sizes, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions hosting up to 2,000 participants.
Jody has been instrumental in managing Centennial celebrations for four faculties at the prestigious University of Alberta. Jody joined Athabasca University in 2019 as they prepared to celebrate 50 years.
Jody's dedication to professional development is evident in her attainment of the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation in 2014. She has been an active member of the International Live Events Association (ILEA) since achieving her certification, holding various leadership positions including two terms as ILEA Edmonton Chapter President. She is currently serving as the Chair for ILEA Canada.
Keri Miller – Calgary, Alberta
Chief Creative Strategist, e=mc² events
Keri is Chief Creative Strategist of e=mc² events, a global event management and production agency based in Canada and recognized around the world. With a global presence and exceptional reputation, e=mc² events is a leading live experience design, management and production company. The team has been honoured with over 55 national and international awards and recently added e=mc² productions, a production and broadcast division to their portfolio.
Keri directs the company’s marketing and communications and is on the leadership team in a strategic role with a focus on people, culture and vision. Keri has been integral as Creative Director or Producer on many of the company's most high profile and signature events in her 22 years with the brand.
Keri is globally recognized as an event industry leader and was proudly awarded the inaugural Leslee Bell Spirit of the Industry award in 2022. She has been named as one of the Top 250 Event Professionals in Canada and Top 500 Influential People in events by Bizbash. She is also a past Canadian Event Professional of The Year and was a member of the Global Leadership Forum pre-covid. Keri mentors many and continues to grow the industry through scholarship initiatives and speaks internationally on a variety of business or creative topics.
Keri believes in the immense value of creativity and the transformative power of live events. She’s an outspoken advocate for fair compensation and unafraid to champion the idea that event professionals must charge what they’re truly worth. Keri speaks openly about pricing, believing that when we value our creativity and expertise—and share that openly—we not only elevate individual success but also raise the standards of the entire industry.
She also hugs people.
Lauren Sergy – Edmonton, Alberta
Up Front Communication
Communication expert Lauren Sergy has helped thousands of people become more effective leaders through skilled communication. She has worked with clients and audiences in Canada, the US, and beyond, including 3M, Cargill, Service Canada, Imperial Oil, and many more. Lauren has taught business communication at the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton, and is an accomplished Master of Ceremonies. Her book, The Handy Communication Answer Book, was featured on Library Journal’s Best Reference Books of 2017 list. Her latest book, UNMUTE! How to Master Virtual Meetings and Reclaim Your Sanity is available via all major online booksellers. You can find her online at LaurenSergy.com
Margo Buckley, CFRE – Edmonton, Alberta
Fund Development Consultant, Good 4 U Consulting Inc.
Margo has been a fundraiser for over 12 years & founded Good 4 U Consulting Inc. in 2020. With experience in every corner of fund development, Margo specializes in creating & executing annual campaigns, grant writing, fundraising events & helping non-profits create functional fundraising & stewardship plans.
Margo has worked with over 12 different non-profits in a consulting capacity and in the last 2 years secured over $1 million in grant funds for several non-profits. As a consultant, her focus and approach are based on mindset before money – how understanding the power of gratitude and stewardship can inform every part of a fund development plan and prepare non-profits to receive and care for the donor before the ask is made.
Matthew Byrne – Toronto, Ontario
Founder and President, Byrne Production Services
Host of Production Value Matters: The Business Events Podcast, Matthew Byrne is the Founder and President of Byrne Production Services, a company that specializes in technical and production management, stage management, and production design for large-scale live events and entertainment. He is a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) and a certified specialist in Vectorworks design software, with over 25 years of experience in the event industry.
As an executive producer, event technology expert, entrepreneur, and nerd, he leads a team of hard-working professionals who are on a mission to create more value through the production of events, meetings, and conferences. He has worked with a variety of corporate and agency clients, helping them achieve their business goals with meaningful event designs and elevated production value. He has developed the Production Framework™, a detailed process that enables his clients to deliver high-quality events with the right people, right technology, and right process.
Michael Hoffman – Chicago, Illinois
Co-Founder & CEO, Gather Voices
Michael is the co-founder and CEO of Gather Voices, a technology company that makes it simple for event professionals to capture video from attendees, speakers and sponsors. He is also the founder of See3 Communications, a digital marketing agency in Chicago. Hoffman taught marketing at the University of Chicago and is an internationally sought-after speaker and trainer who is a trusted advisor to business and event leaders on engagement strategy.
Scott Frankel – Baldwin, New York
President, Animatic Media
Scott is an industry leader in event production and sought-after speaker at industry events. Animatic is a full-service video and event production company founded with the idea of offering agency-style service without the agency price tag. Since 1996, Scott and his team have produced events for clients of all sizes, from Fortune 100 conferences with thousands of attendees to smaller road shows and events.
Scott is an innovator in the event technology space and insists on perfection and flawless execution for all events. Scott has received recognition from many industry leaders such as a Connect/BizBash “15 over 50”, Eventex “Most Influential People in the Events Industry, Smart Meetings Catalyst Award and more. In 2020 Animatic Media relaunched their on-demand web service as Conference-On-Demand +LIVE. COD +LIVE is a full-service virtual/hybrid event platform for fully “produced” virtual and hybrid events.
In August of 2024 Scott and Animatic launched a groundbreaking and innovative Augmented Reality offering built for the live events industry called Intelligent Content℠.
Sébastien David – Montréal, Québec
President, Sénik Events
Sébastien's passion for the event industry was sparked in the late 1980s when he stumbled into a part-time job as an event coordinator. While juggling his Political Science degree and dreaming of diplomatic ventures, he quickly realized that planning events was way more fun than international politics. In 1996,
Sébastien founded his first event production company. A few years later, Sénik Events was born, followed by the acquisition of Champagne Events in 2020 and e=mc2 events and productions in 2024. Producing around 150 corporate events a year across the globe, Sébastien's team of 50 event professionals operates from coast to coast, ensuring every event is unforgettable.
Sébastien has become a familiar face (and voice) at industry conferences like The Special Event and Canadian Special Events, often sharing his wisdom—and the occasional dad joke. His trophy shelf is quite crowded, highlighted by his Event Professional of the Year award at the 2020 Canadian Event Industry Awards. In his spare time (like that exists!) He has served on the Board of Directors of ILEA Canada and ILEA Toronto. He is currently the Immediate Past Chair of ILEA Canada.
Shaylon Bourque – Edmonton, Alberta
Regional Representative, Indigenous Tourism Alberta
Shaylon Bourque (B.Th.) is a ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Cree woman) is a member of Heart Lake First Nation. She was raised in Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement and currently calls Treaty 6 her home, residing in Amiskwaciwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton).
Shaylon has over eight years experience working with non-profit organizations and strives to help others succeed by helping them to recognize the wonders within themselves that can lead them towards success.
Shaylon is also a vision keeper and the owner and operator of Shaycreeative Photography company. Her passion for capturing the world around her has ignited the desire to share, educate and inspire the essence and beauty of her people.
As part of the Membership & Development Team, Shaylon supports the development and implementation of ITA’s funding, development, and training programs, and works directly with Indigenous tourism businesses and communities to help build or strengthen their tourism products and experiences.
Stephanie Bach – Edmonton, Alberta
Vice President of Strategy and Policy at Diplomat Consulting
With nearly 20 years of experience, she is trained in molecular genetics, agriculture, plant breeding, and food science.
She has worked at companies that undertake genetic plant breeding programs, indoor & outdoor agriculture, conventional & organic growing systems, food & microbiology testing laboratories, and food product development for the international market.
Between 2016 and 2018 she was the Chief Scientific Officer at NutraPonics Canada Corporation, where she was in charge of all facets of the organization except finance. NutraPonics housed a vertical aquaponic farm with a 10,000 ft2 cultivation space and 3 MT warm water aquaculture system. At the time of operation, it was the largest indoor vertical aquaponic farm in North America. She has been nationally recognized for her work, including a Top 10 under 40 award from Greenhouse Canada, a Canadian publication.
Stephanie has worked with several groups across Canada on the development of aquaponic greenhouse systems and has extensive knowledge on horticultural systems. Her work is mostly with Indigenous First Nation groups that develop their own food security and food sustainability initiatives to ensure high tech food production exists on their sovereign lands.
Stephanie has also spent over 5 years working in the cannabis industry, having conducted every task from cultivation, product development, operations, quality assurance, and more. She worked to develop and launch innovative products to the Canadian market to serve medical patients and the new legal recreational market. Additionally, she has helped companies secure their Health Canada production, processing, sales, and research licenses. She imparts her expertise by teaching courses at AAPS in support of their Food and Cannabis Diplomat programs.
Her government relations experience includes, but is not limited to, supporting the Winspear Centre in obtaining $8.5M from the Provincial government and implementing prescription contraception and birth control in the Canadian national pharmacare plan.
Stephanie has a B.Sc. (Hons) in Molecular Genetics from the University of Alberta and an M.Sc. in Plant Breeding & Genetics from the University of Guelph.
Tahira Endean – Vancouver, British Columbia
Head of Programme, IMEX
Author, Intentional Event Design
Tahira is a curious event designer and curator of education for the MICE industry. She is passionate about global travel, intentional event design and the integration of technology into our lives and events to enhance the human experience. A believer in life-long learning, Tahira recently completed her MSc in Creativity and Change Leadership to build upon her industry certifications, Instructors Diploma, Event Management Diploma and Bachelor of Hospitality Management. Stay curious, be kind and always say yes to anything with bubbles!
Tim Lang – Vancouver, British Columbia
President, CAVPA | President, Proshow Audiovisual
Tim Lang is the president of Proshow Audiovisual, based in Vancouver, BC, and a founding member of the Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association (CAVPA). Tim is a highly regarded leader in the Canadian AV industry with over 30 years of experience in audiovisual services and event production, and more than a decade in senior management roles overseeing operations, finance, and HR.
As a founder and president of the Canadian Audiovisual Providers Association (CAVPA), Tim has been pivotal in advancing the association’s mission to represent and support Canadian-owned audiovisual companies. Under his leadership, CAVPA has achieved significant milestones, including engaging with the Canadian Competition Bureau to address anti-competitive practices, forging valuable partnerships with sponsors and stakeholders, and elevating CAVPA’s profile within the live events industry.
Tim is deeply committed to advocating for the audiovisual and events sectors, fostering awareness among government, event planners, and other stakeholders. His focus on education, collaboration, and strategic advocacy continues to amplify the voice of Canadian-owned AV companies across the industry.