PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
KEYNOTE
For over 25 years, Wayne Lee has been one of North America’s premier corporate presenters, entertainers, and peak performance experts. During his career, he has helped people from over 6000 organizations and various walks of life develop the subconscious mindset that allows them to perform at a high level no matter what challenges they face.
It’s a mindset that empowered him to become a 5-time national wrestling champion and achieve excellence his whole career, but it trance-formed him even more during the pandemic when business came to a screeching halt. Faced with such an intense season of adversity, Wayne had to double down on his own mindset to pivot and grow in new and unexpected ways.
Experiencing again how mindset can change everything further fueled his lifelong passion for empowering people to achieve their full potential. He began coaching and developed an enhanced system for achieving peak performance, The TRANCE-FORM Process.
Today, he works with leading brands to guide their teams through the high-stress, constant change, and face paced environment that is now commonplace. Wayne shows each audience how to reconnect with what matters most so they can achieve any result, all while enjoying the ride of their life.
KEYNOTE
Public speaking and 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, the UK, and Europe including KPMG, 3M, Cargill, the University of Alberta, DeGroote School of Business, the Government of Alberta, and many more. Lauren has taught programs on business communication at the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton, and regularly guest lectures at other post-secondary institutions.
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 now available via all major online booksellers.
OPENING RECEPTION ENTERTAINER
CONCURRENT SESSION PRESENTERS
Erin Walton has been part of the Conference and Events industry since 2002 as the Coordinator of Conference Services at the Kings University College in Edmonton. From there she moved to MacEwan University where she worked for 15 years, most recently as the Senior Manager of Conference and Event Services. Throughout her time at both institutions, she was always heavily involved with CUCCOA, first as the Western Region Director, then as President for 4 years and most recently as a speaker at regional, national and virtual speaker series. CUCCOA will always remain very near and dear to Erin's heart!
In addition to speaking engagements, Erin loves to share her knowledge in the classroom. This passion began in 2016 when she began teaching for the Edmonton Oilers Hospitality Institute at Norquest College and continues today. Still teaching in the Hospitality Management program at Norquest College, she is also now involved in Instructional Design for this program. Today, Erin shares her experience in hospitality and guest services as the CEO, Emmanuel Senior Living Society.
Anthony Falls
Anthony has a passion for post-secondary with over15+ years of experience in a variety of post-secondary positions including Event Management, Residence Life, Guest Accommodations and Residence Operations. Currently, the Senior Manager, Residence & Guest Services of an 860-student residence at MacEwan University. Anthony is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Royal Roads University.
Taron Grover
Tarun is the Manager of Front Desk & Guest Services at MacEwan University, with over 13 years of experience in the post-secondary and hotel industries. He holds a Bachelor's in Commerce, a Hotel Management Diploma, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Tarun excels in using technology to enhance student and guest experiences. He developed a dashboard in StarRez that optimized residence team workflows and led him to the finals of a global competition of post-secondary institutions. Recently, he introduced an automated parcel locker system to streamline package management for residents. Tarun enjoys spending time in nature, particularly camping, hiking and star gazing.
Richard MacIsaac
Richard MacIsaac serves as the Regional Manager of Northern Ontario for Residence & Conference Centres, overseeing properties in Barrie, Sudbury, North Bay, and Timmins with a primary focus on summer operations. He has collaborated with teams at all locations to consistently achieve revenue targets and attract a diverse array of conferences and sporting groups. For the past two years, Richard has also held the position of Marketing Director on the board of directors for CUCCOA, an organization he has been a member of since 2017. Throughout his tenure at RCC, Richard has received numerous accolades, including team player awards and Y2Y sales growth awards for multiple RCC locations.
Program Title: Get the most out of your CUCCOA membership – A overview of CUCCOA’s Member Website
In this session, we will conduct a comprehensive overview of the member site, guiding attendees step-by-step to ensure they fully utilize the available databases and member benefits. We will delve into the extensive resources offered on the site, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools to maximize their membership experience.
Peter Cottan, Director, Business Events - Explore Edmonton
Peter’s passion is hospitality and tourism, and he is currently Director, Business Events at Explore Edmonton Corporation. He has held a number of positions such as Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, International and Corporate U.S Group Sales Manager with the Pan Pacific Vancouver and also F&B manager at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, San Francisco. He also worked at Golden Gate University as Associate Director of Advising Services while he earned his MBA in marketing.
He is passionate about events and networking and enjoys advising his clients on the many things Canada has to offer both for business, and as destination of choice. Peter has more than 20 years of combined business development experience in the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada.
Stephanie Lynch, Senior Manager, Business Events - Explore Edmonton
Stephanie is a successful tourism and hospitality professional with over 20 years experience in attracting meetings and conventions to Edmonton. Partnering with meeting planners to understand “what success looks like” for their event to guide them to achieve their meeting objectives.
Recently, she has started to work with our local Ambassadors; the academics, thought leaders, experts in their industry through their ambassador network. Reach out to ask her more about this program on how we support local leaders to attract business events to our city.
Stephanie's passion is for the meetings and events industry where planning the next trade show, industry event or marketing activation allows her to think differently and engage with her clients in new and exciting ways. From executing an Escape Room for planners to learn more about Edmonton; to her own video series called Stephanie’s Diaries; to leading a snowball fight in summer to engage while also having a bit of fun too!
Maddie Radvanyi, Senior Event Coordinator - Acadia University
Maddie Radvanyi is the Senior Event Coordinator at Acadia University and has been with the department since December 2020 having started originally as a summer student assistant in May 2015 until she graduated in the spring of 2017. She has a degree in Kinesiology from Acadia, and an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources from Nova Scotia Community College but could not turn down the call to return to her passion of events. She is the manager of Acadia’s summer hotel operations and loves being able to showcase Acadia to visitors of the Annapolis Valley. Maddie is an avid reader who also enjoys yoga, hiking, and cooking.
Tash Reynolds, Associate Director, Accommodation - University of British Columbia
Tash Reynolds has spent the past 19 years as a Student Housing Professional in Western Canada, holding roles in both Residence Life and Housing Operations. She is currently the Associate Director, Accommodation at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan and oversees Residence Administration, Front Desk Operation, as well as the Conference and Accommodation units on campus.
In 2007, Natasha won the NWACUHO New Professional Award and more recently in 2019 the Josie Lamothe Memorial Award for Outstanding Service. Tash has served on national and international boards of professional associations such as the Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I), Northwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (NWACUHO), Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) as well as serving as the President of the Residence Life Professional Association (RLPA) in 2018.
Rosetta Vannelli, Associate Director, Housing & Conference Services - McGill University
Rosetta oversees over 3000 student rooms and apartments during the academic year, approximately 900 guestrooms during the summer months and a year-round conference services operations. She has been with the university in a variety of roles since 2000. She was a board member of the Quebec Tourism Industry Corporation for over 5 years representing the educational institutions. She held senior leadership positions in the hospitality industry for over 12 years with positions in Montreal, Edmonton and Kananaskis. She has a passion for community engagement and currently sits on the Milton-Patk Committee addressing homelessness and community safety issues. Rosetta has been an active member of CUCCOA for over 10 years, contributing significantly as a member of various planning committees for both annual and regional conferences. She has also served as a speaker, presenting sessions both in-person and virtually at these conferences. Additionally, Rosetta proudly held the position of Regional Director for the Central Region.
Heleena Stephens, Acting Director of Food & Conference Services - Lakehead University
Heleena was born & raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Having left to experience life outside of Northwestern Ontario, Heleena completed the Tourism & Hospitality-Business Applications diploma program at Humber College in 2007. The program included a study abroad opportunity which had her working in various hotels, conference centres and restaurants in France, Holland, England, and Spain, and eventually returning to Thunder Bay in 2010.
Since starting at Lakehead University as a Conference Coordinator in 2014, Heleena has moved upwards within the department to Senior Coordinator, Manager, and is currently Acting Director of Food & Conference Services for both Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. Attending CUCCOA Conferences - regional, national and virtual - have always been a life-line for guidance, support and best practices in the ‘Post-Secondary Hospitality’ industry. Heleena still enjoys travelling with her husband, Matthew, and fosters dogs locally while at home.