HELLO CANDY

Candy’s Turning SWEET 16! Since founding Candy Event Consulting in 2008 I have had the job - and JOY - of serving and supporting in-house, do-it-yourself event planners with connection-focused coaching, interactive workshops, and relevant resources. I am so grateful for each one who has been part of our Candy journey as a core team member, a community contributor, or as one of our treasured clients. It’s been Candy’s diverse, dedicated, and dynamic community that has helped her stay grounded and growing over all these years! It’s with a world of gratitude that I invite you to share in this sweet milestone as we gather to celebrate via Zoom on Friday December 6 from 4-5 pm MST (3-4 pm PST / 5-6 pm CST / 7-8 pm AST / 7:30-8:30 pm NST). In our hour together, we will reflect, reconnect, and reenergize with a vibrant virtual disco party expertly facilitated by Carolina Panoff, Founder of “Be You Disco” beaming in from beautiful Florida. Carolina will bring her combination of movement, meditation, coaching, and dance into a transformative experience that will uplift, inspire, and increase our mental and emotional health. Be You Disco is the next generation of corporate wellness and team building and we’ll get to experience a taste of the Be You Disco experience! Simply DM us here, we'll send you the link, and Zoom will send you the party link to join in for free. I can’t wait to celebrate with you! @lisagareau_connectioncoach Connection Strategy Coach and Candy Founder www.CandyConsulting.ca • www.LisaGareau.ca Learn more about Be You Disco at www.BeYouDisco.com @beyoudisco @beyoudisco.teams

Posted @withregram • @tukoda_productions You will walk away with skills that can transform how you plan and execute events, making them more inclusive and impactful. Register using the link in the bio.

3 things that helped me make the most of my morning. 🧢 ☕ 💬 Choosing my @thesinners2saints hat to cover my #snoozebutton #bedhead, a random inspirational mug from the @cspace.mardaloop tenant's kitchen (and a latte from @aromacafebaryyc) 😘 , and a kind comment from my coaching client after I apologized for the hat ... "If all you need is a hat to help you through the day, that's pretty good." 😋 In reality these 3 things represent three things that I love about my world and my work as a Connection Strategy Coach... 1. The inspiration I get from learning about local artisans (Love my hat that I got last year from this fun local brand ... you can find them at @marketcollective) 2. A creative and community-focused place to work (my co-working desk is in one of the most beautiful arts hubs in Calgary @cspace.projects) 3. My purpose-driven @candyeventconsulting clients who care just as much - maybe even more! - about people as they do the projects and events they are working so hard to plan. 🥰 #grateful #gatheringmyself #givingitmyall #lisagareau_connectioncoach 😊#eventcoaching #entrepreneurmindset #toolsofthetrade #takingamoment #gettingthroughtheday #womanpower

Posted @withregram • @theconnectionarchitect Mike Morrison @mikesbloggity 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. @socialwest @socialeastca @socialpacificca @socialnextca 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!

After being down for the count with covid, managing the messy middle of course creation, and riding the wave of a family wedding last week - I'm "back at the board". 🤓 There are few places I feel totally immersed and inspired. Coaching individuals and teams to build better connections through the events they plan is one of them. 🥰 Are you planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Check out how Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger can help make you and your team stronger ... and more connected to your customers, clients, core team, or community members! 😁 www.CandyConsulting.ca • www.LisaGareau.ca • www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

What a gift to partner with the great people at @weareforgood Are For Good to help #community #changemakers and #socialimpact leaders together to have meaningful conversations at #impactup centred around the theme of "PAUSE" in alignment with #worldmentalhealthday yesterday. All around the world changemakers enjoyed a full day virtual event hosted by @jonforgood and @beckyforgood 👏 Then 29 diverse cities around the world were the scene of deeper, local conversations where we discussed how to find the "power in the pause" and talk about our mental health - together. In our corner of the world - here in #Calgary - we gathered around snacks, stories, and squishy hearts. 🥰 Thanks to the beautiful Ila Edgar @bigc.hange for the homemade hearts, for sharing your journey to "spaciousness" in your life, and for the challenge you gave us to sit with the discomfort in our attempts to "pause". Some from our group were actively working in the non-profit sector and feeling the need to pause, others had taken much needed time away from what became toxic workplaces, still others have now found their way to practicing the pause even when it's uncomfortable. One of the most impactful aspects to the evening for me was a surprise guest who saw the poster for our meetup and choose to attend. He is someone who is currently living homeless, was recently incarcerated, and shared openly that during that "pause" for him he learned to mediate, breathe, and was inspired to continue his art. He wanted to sit in with our group as he has dreams of starting a non-profit to encourage others to embrace their artistic side. It was not lost on me that when we were discussing our inability to put down our phones to "pause" this kind man was living without one and without many of the "distractions" we love to hate. Even with the disparity of our worlds it was an opportunity to see one another as the humans we are. As I gathered up a goodie bag for him at the end he expressed his gratefulness for the welcome he received by the whole group, "It was nice to feel welcome". Thank you to all who chose to attend, share your experiences, and open your hearts to the humanity of others. ❤️

We’re officially live and are ready to kick off a day of connection, reflection, and wellness! 🥳 There’s still time to join us. Sign up to join the livestream at weareforgood.com/impactup (it’s free!). P.S. If you have already signed up but can’t find the link, search for “notifications@airmeetevents.com” in your email. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder, too! If you need help, please send us an email to hello@weareforgood.com. #ImapctUp #Pause #CommunityIsEverything #WorldMentalHealthDay

It’s time to build cultures of wellbeing from the inside-out and we want YOU to PAUSE with us. DM us for links to learn more about the We Are For Good Community, the Impact Uprising movement, and to register for the world-wide virtual event, and/or join us for our in-person gathering in Calgary on October 10 from 6-8 PM thanks to our meetup venue host Kids Up Front Calgary . @kidsupfrontcalg @kahanoffcentre @candyeventconsulting @lisagareau_connectioncoach @bigc.hange Together we’re getting ready to build an Impact Uprising with @weareforgood … Are you with us? 😀

We Are For Good is getting ready to build an Impact Uprising - around the world - THIS Thursday ... in 2 more sleeps! Use this link to save one of the last seats for our #impactup in-person meetup* right here in Calgary! 🙄 OR DM us! 😁 https://www.weareforgood.com/impactup-local-meetup *Seats are free but limited. Link through to save yours! 😃 #impactup Calgary is powered by these amazing partners! 🥰 Jon McCoy, CFRE @jonforgood Becky Endicott, CFRE @beckyforgood Ila Edgar @bigc.hange Nicky Nash @thenickynash Kids Up Front Calgary @kidsupfrontcalg The Kahanoff Centre @kahanoffcentre Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger @candyeventconsulting Lisa Gareau @lisagareau_connectioncoach

Are YOU a Social Impact Leader, Non-profit Team Member, Local Changemaker? We’re excited to welcome you to ImpactUp - the quarterly gathering of the We Are For Good Community where caring community changemakers meet virtually by day to start convos and then continue discussions in local meetups around the world. One day. One theme. One bigger convo ... and an even bigger impact! On October 10 we are aligning with World Mental Health Day, for ImpactUp: PAUSE. It’s time to build cultures of wellbeing from the inside-out and we want YOU to PAUSE with us. DM us for links to learn more about the We Are For Good Community, the Impact Uprising movement, and to register for the world-wide virtual event, and/or join us for our in-person gathering in Calgary on October 10 from 6-8 PM thanks to our meetup venue host Kids Up Front Calgary . @kidsupfrontcalg Together we’re getting ready to build an Impact Uprising with @weareforgood … Are you with us? 😀

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach Are YOU a Social Impact Leader, Non-profit Team Member, Local #yyc Changemaker? 👏 We’re excited to welcome you to ImpactUp - the quarterly gathering of the We Are For Good Community where caring community changemakers meet virtually by day to start convos and then continue discussions in local meetups around the world. One day. One theme. One bigger convo ... and an even bigger impact! 🎉 On October 10 we are aligning with World #MentalHealthDay, for #ImpactUp: PAUSE. It’s time to build cultures of wellbeing from the inside-out and we want YOU to PAUSE with us. 🧡 The We Are For Good Community headed up by @jonforgood + @beckyforgood started the Impact Uprising movement which is a world-wide virtual event. It’s followed up by local in-person discussions - including an in-person gathering here in Calgary on October 10 from 6-8 PM at The Kahanoff Centre thanks to our generous meetup venue host Kids Up Front Calgary. Special gratitude to Ila Edgar who will join us to share her story of learning to “Pause” in her own work and life. Together we’re getting ready to build an Impact Uprising. DM me for the link to learn more about the movement and/or the link to register for our free, in-person, intimate meetup of Calgary (CAL) #chanagemakers 😊 Hope to have you with us! @kahanoffcentre @kidsupfrontcalg @lisagareau_connectioncoach @candyeventconsulting @bigc.hange

Huge WELCOME to @bigc.hange Ila Edgar - a very special friend and trusted thought leader - who will be sharing her experience of "PAUSE" at the @weareforgood #impactup Calgary meetup on Oct 10. Thank you Ila for your example of an authentic approach to life ... and for your willingness to to encourage those who will be with us next Thursday evening! + You can read Ila's full reflection of her summer PAUSE here: https://www.bigchangeinc.com/ ++ If you haven't registered for the Calgary meetup yet here's the link to save your seat! https://lu.ma/5wxlybn5

Posted @withregram • @weareforgood Ready to hit pause ⏸️ on the grind? This #ImpactUp, we’re gathering on World Mental Health Day to dive into powerful conversations by day and take them to local meetups worldwide by evening🌍 Listen in as Jon + Becky share what’s coming up on October 10th and why you don’t want to miss it. It’s time to build cultures of well-being from the inside out. Grab your (free!) spot now at the link in our bio. 💡 Learn -The importance of pause and mental health in our sector -Findings from We Are For Good’s Mental Health Survey -Overview of the Impact Up gathering on October 10th

Are YOU a Social Impact Leader, Non-profit Team Member, Local Changemaker? We’re excited to welcome you to ImpactUp - the quarterly gathering of the We Are For Good Community where caring community changemakers meet virtually by day to start convos and then continue discussions in local meetups around the world. One day. One theme. One bigger convo ... and an even bigger impact! On October 10 we are aligning with World Mental Health Day, for ImpactUp: PAUSE. It’s time to build cultures of wellbeing from the inside-out and we want YOU to PAUSE with us. DM us for links to learn more about the We Are For Good Community, the Impact Uprising movement, and to register for the world-wide virtual event, and/or join us for our in-person gathering in Calgary on October 10 from 6-8 PM thanks to our meetup venue host Kids Up Front Calgary . @kidsupfrontcalg Together we’re getting ready to build an Impact Uprising with @weareforgood … Are you with us? 😀

16 years ago @lisagareau_connectioncoach had a dream, put her stake in the ground, and started a business for in-house and do-it-yourself - “everyday” - event planners who wanted to gain clarity, get connected, and grow in confidence. The Candy circle of coaching clients, workshop participants, magazine readers, podcast listeners, sweet partners, and encouraging friends have played an important part in her ability to stay grounded and have inspired her to keep going - and growing - over the years. Today she’s more motivated than ever to see everyday event planners embrace their brilliance, activate their experience, and make connections that will last for their businesses, organizations, or groups through the events they plan. Never one to miss an opportunity to celebrate a milestone, Lisa is ready to celebrate her SWEET 16 year of business on Saturday, November 16 from 6-9 PM at the recently revitalized @houseofskateyyc rink right here in Calgary ... and is excited to have YOU there! 😀 DM us for the link learn more and snag your “Sweet Roller Ticket” or a non-skater “Sweet Rinkside Ticket”! 🎉

What does it take to have an idea, "hang a shingle", hang on through tough times, and to continue to help everyday event planners to gain clarity, get connected, and grow in confidence for almost 16 years? 😮 It takes clarity of vision. 👓 It takes authentic connections. 🧩 It takes confidence that what we can uniquely offer will have a place in this world. 🧡 We're still here. We're still strong. 🌼 And we still are living the SWEET life here at @candyeventconsulting ... and getting excited to celebrate SWEET 16 with you in the next couple of months! 🥰 PS 🥳 Watch for links to join in on our Sweet 16 roller skating party on November 16 at @houseofskateyyc here in #calgary 🛼🛼🛼🛼🛼 … and/or our virtual party - with a VERY fun and exciting special guest - in December! @lisagareau_connectioncoach

Good morning #calgary 😍

"An event is not just an event, a campaign is not just a campaign ... it's so much more." 💯❤️ Jon shares his thoughts on The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners - Season 4 Episode 2! 👏 You can DM us for the link ... 👍 or find the link to the episode here ... 👇 www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca/Podcast or listen directly at ... 👇 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/15783227 "With a background in design – Jon McCoy @jonforgood has spent more than 15 years in the nonprofit world, starting as a graphic design intern, then marketer, and ultimately a fundraiser. A role he says – he still doesn’t really identify with – so he calls himself a “marketer disguised as 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. @weareforgood 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 Impact Uprising - 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 in this episode, 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." 🙌 The Program: @theconnectionarchitect The Host: @lisagareau_connectioncoach The Producer: @candyeventconsulting

That’s a wrap on @podsummit 2024 #podsummit2024 😁 Huge thank you to Tim Truax and his team for bringing this incredible 2 days to life. 👏🏼 I’m leaving today full of ideas for expanding my message, curious about what’s next for me as a newbie podcaster, and inspired by the connections made! #grateful #grounded #growing PS 👋🏼 You can listen in to Season 4 of the podcast for everyday event planners - The Connector Next Door - hosted by @lisagareau_connectioncoach for @theconnectionarchitect program here! 👇🏼 www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca/Podcast 😁

Meet @jonforgood 😀 Jon McCoy, CFRE 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. A role he says – he still doesn’t really identify with – so he calls himself a “marketer disguised as 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. @weareforgood 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 Impact Uprising - 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! DM us to get the link to listen in to my conversation with Jon on The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners or cut and copy this link into your browser: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/15783227 @theconnectionarchitect @lisagareau_connectioncoach

Brisket for the #birthdayboy at @haydenblockyyc 🥳 Happy Birthday @timgareaumusic - love you! 😘

Posted @withregram • @theconnectionarchitect @petebombaci Pete Bombaci – and his team at @genwellproject GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement – are encouraging all Canadians not to wait to make those large, life-changing connections that we often dream about. BUT if we look for and lean into the little, everyday connections - like making eye contact, shaking a hand, or saying hello to a stranger - we’ll be 100% happier than if the connection never happened!* • • • • • Welcome my very first conversation of Season 4 with Pete - an inspiring Social Change Leader, Connection Visionary, and Natural Connector You can find Episode 1 of The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners here - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/15725459 - or wherever you get your podcasts! • • • • • Pete Bombaci is a visionary business and social change leader who believes that by doing the right thing every day, exceptional results are created. In 2016, Pete 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. 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! • • • • • The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners is hosted by @lisagareau_connectioncoach as an extension of @theconnectionarchitect Program and is produced by @candyeventconsulting : Making Your Team Stronger / www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca/Podcast

Here’s the @rocalberta and @ucalgary_wedorecover team happily braving the elements at Recovery Day organized by @rockymountainrecoveryalberta on #princesislandpark today! 👏 “ROC is the central point of contact for services and supports, research and collaborations, and education and training to support recovery communities on campuses throughout Alberta.” - https://www.recoveryoncampusalberta.ca/who-we-are “Recovery Day is committed to mobilizing and organizing Canadians in recovery from addiction and addiction related problems. Our mission is to build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving life for individuals, families, and communities. We believe that recovery saves lives. We envision a world in which recovery from addiction is a common, celebrated reality – a world where individuals will not experience shame when seeking help. We are passionate about sharing the faces, voices and stories of recovery in hopes of inspiring and inviting others to join us on the rewarding, yet diverse, path to wholeness. Together, we will demonstrate the power and proof of recovery from addiction.” - https://rockymountainrecovery.ca/recovery-day/

Announcing Candy’s Sweet 16 Celebration! 🥳 Watch for links to join in on our roller skating party on November 16 at @houseofskateyyc here in #calgary 🛼🛼🛼🛼🛼 … and/or our virtual party in December! For now … add the year you turned 16 in the comments below! 👇🏼 For me - @lisagareau_connectioncoach - I turned 16 in 1986! 😁

For the last 2 years I have had the joy of serving Recovery on Campus (ROC) Alberta through my biz @candyeventconsulting : Making Your Team Stronger in my work as a Connection Strategy Coach. 💜 @rocalberta / @ucalgary_wedorecover / @lisagareau_connectioncoach How exciting to see the University of Calgary sign the Recovery-Friendly Campus pledge this week - and to see the ROC influence growing with many post-secondary schools considering doing the same in the months to come! 🙌 (The pledge, which aligns with ROC’s mission to sustain programs that support all pathways to recovery, has eight criteria. You can read through them in my last post!) To promote sustained recovery there is a need for more recovery focused spaces and events on campus, peer support, substance-free housing, sober role models, and built-in, bold opportunities to connect with peers on similar paths. 👍 Substance-free, recovery-friendly, on campus events are an important part of the vision. 🎈 As this new school year starts, I'm proud to continue on with the team at ROC - once again coaching committed students, faculty, and/or staff in the 26 publicly funded post-secondary schools to host fun, informative, innovative recovery-friendly, on campus events. 😊 If you're curious to learn more, ready to lean in to volunteer, or inspired to show some love with a donation to ensure the sustainability and growth of this important province-wide initiative reach out to Founder Victoria Burns, PhD, RSW @thesoberprofessorphd or ROC Manager Chelsie Graham @thematurescholar or visit www.RecoveryOnCampusAlberta.ca 👈

Congratulations as UCalgary signed the Recovery-Friendly Campus (RFC) pledge on Tuesday, September 10 at the UCalgary Recovery Community Hub located in the Yamnuska Hall student housing building! “The University of Calgary is set to become the first Alberta post-secondary institution to sign the Recovery-Friendly Campus (RFC) pledge. The pledge is part of a broader initiative led by the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) and Recovery on Campus Alberta (ROC) to create a campus environment where all recovery pathways are prioritized and celebrated, for students, faculty and staff. Aligned with UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan and Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, the pledge is tailored to the unique needs of Alberta’s post-secondary community. Both the UCRC and ROC were founded by Dr. Victoria Burns, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, an addiction-recovery researcher and a person in long-term addiction recovery herself. The pledge, which aligns with ROC’s mission to sustain programs that support all pathways to recovery, has eight criteria: 1. Provide peer-centred, all-recovery pathways programming for students and employees. 2. Raise awareness, educate and advocate about addiction recovery to reduce stigma. 3. Ensure that recovery is normalized, valued and celebrated through increased visibility. 4. Provide a recovery-friendly space on campus to build community. 5. Create recovery-friendly events and activities on campus. 6. Ensure student and employee support teams meet the needs of campus members along the addiction-recovery spectrum. 7. Increase awareness and address the needs of family members/friends of campus members in or seeking recovery. 8. Promote inclusive campus life by addressing systemic barriers for campus members along the addiction-recovery spectrum.” “UCalgary Recovery-Friendly Campus pledge opens a new chapter” by Megan Creig, Communications

This week I've landed back at my coworking desk in the Sandbox at @cspace.mardaloop ... and love passing through my fav installation to grab a coffee at @aromacafebaryyc 😍 "Imaginarium by daniel j kirk and Katie Green >>> https://cspaceprojects.com/public-artists/imaginarium/ <<< Imaginarium was commissioned from artists Katie Green and daniel j kirk after winning an open call to Alberta artists. It uses a multimedia approach to transform the contemporary main entrance of cSPACE into a space devoted to the imagination. The work stretches across the entire four-storey stairwell with a mixed material installation/mural using low relief, collage, built material, light and shadow (LED lighting), silhouettes and screens. Imaginarium seeks to better understand how people engage their imaginations and the relationships we form with the creative process. This installation began as an investigation of how the surrounding community of Marda Loop and the tenants of cSPACE relate to their creativity. The artists reached out to the surrounding community of Marda Loop and the tenants of cSPACE for stories to inspire the project. Participants were welcomed to an onsite studio space for drawing sessions, and the artists distilled participant stories into their own visual interpretations. The project is supported through the City of Calgary 1% Public Art Policy. The artwork is included in the permanent collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts."

"UCalgary Recovery-Friendly Campus pledge opens a new chapter" by Megan Creig, Communications for @rocalberta @ucalgary_wedorecover "The University of Calgary is set to become the first Alberta post-secondary institution to sign the Recovery-Friendly Campus (RFC) pledge. The pledge is part of a broader initiative led by the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) and Recovery on Campus Alberta (ROC) to create a campus environment where all recovery pathways are prioritized and celebrated, for students, faculty and staff. Aligned with UCalgary's Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan and Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, the pledge is tailored to the unique needs of Alberta’s post-secondary community. Both the UCRC and ROC were founded by Dr. Victoria Burns, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, an addiction-recovery researcher and a person in long-term addiction recovery herself. The pledge, which aligns with ROC’s mission to sustain programs that support all pathways to recovery, has eight criteria: 1. Provide peer-centred, all-recovery pathways programming for students and employees. 2. Raise awareness, educate and advocate about addiction recovery to reduce stigma. 3. Ensure that recovery is normalized, valued and celebrated through increased visibility. 4. Provide a recovery-friendly space on campus to build community. 5. Create recovery-friendly events and activities on campus. 6. Ensure student and employee support teams meet the needs of campus members along the addiction-recovery spectrum. 7. Increase awareness and address the needs of family members/friends of campus members in or seeking recovery. 8. Promote inclusive campus life by addressing systemic barriers for campus members along the addiction-recovery spectrum. UCalgary will sign the pledge on Tuesday, September 10 at an event running 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the UCalgary Recovery Community Hub at 5, 3500 24th Ave. N.W, located in the Yamnuska Hall student housing building." Register to join ROC Founder @thesoberprofessorphd Victoria Burns, PhD, RSW, Manger, @thematurescholar Chelsie Graham, the team, and me - @lisagareau_connectioncoach 🎉

In August I had my first real visit back to my "heart-home" #Winnipeg #Manitoba in about a decade. When looking for parking to meet a new friend, I had the happy surprise of parking near my first “office” for my new-at-the-time biz – Candy Consulting. The space was on the second floor of this beautiful building in the Historic #exchangewinnipeg Exchange District. Thanks to dear friend, graphic designer, and creative collaborator @segunolude 'Segun Olude for believing in me, building an enduring brand for my dream, and making this space available as I started out in 2008! - @lisagareau_connectioncoach 🥰 #throwbackthursday #timeflys #timewithgoodfriends #smallbusiness #returninghometomyself #dreamshappen

What are you reading today? 📚 Share to inspire others! 🪴 #learningeveryday #goodreads📚 #everydayeventplanners

I wasn't born in Calgary. I chose Calgary as my home - twice! - because I could feel the energy, saw the community of entrepreneurs, and admired the drive for excellence and innovation. 🤩 But I'm a #mountainmama to my core and usually go running for the hills when the city fills with Stampede activity. ⛰ This year I decided to get curious about what this special city-wide celebration means to me. 🤔 I know - in my head - the incredible economic value of the #calgarystampede and the unbelievable efforts of 1000's of individuals who make it what it is - #thegreatestoutdoorshowonearth 💯 - BUT this year I gave it a chance to speak to me personally and to find ways to participate that felt right. 🤠 I'm already making my #stampedewishlist for 2025! #moretocome 🌟 For now I'll leave you with a late night #throwbackthursday shot of my #hunkyhubby @timgareaumusic and his (short-lived) love affair with a bucket of #minidonuts 😍 Thanks to everyone who made this year's Stampede a special one for me! ❤️ - @lisagareau_connectioncoach

How it started. 😅 How it’s going! 🥳 #whiteboardwisdom #coursecreation #eventplanning #auartscontinuinged #candyeventconsulting

@lisagareau_connectioncoach is happily stuck in her happy place of course creation! 🤓🥰😀@candyeventconsulting and @albertauarts are collaborating to bring a brand new, purpose-powered, 5-part event planning training course tailored for creatives who are ready to add core event planning and promotion skills to their lives and work. 🙌 Watch for updates … and plan to register this Fall! #eventplanning #eventpromotion #eventplanningskills #creativeentrepreneur #creativebusiness #creativeplanning #creatingcontent #creatingopportunities

Awesome day for some pancakes and handshakes at the @cspace.mardaloop #calgarystampede pancake breakfast for artists and friends today!

When I moved from Winnipeg to Calgary the first time in 1994 I arrived in a city that seemed to be lacking in grassroots arts, activity, and opportunities for young people like me to engage in the arts. I dug hard and found a few diehard musicians, artists, and arts communities working hard at their craft but it seemed to stop there. I knew Winnipeg as a vibrant, welcoming, “arts for all” culture. It wasn’t necessarily about the expertise of the artists or the groups - it was more about bringing fringe ideas to public places, giving audiences exposure to new perspectives, and seeing those “putting themselves out there” doing so with the support of the community. In 2001 I moved away from Calgary only to return 10 years later to a vibrant, welcoming, “arts for all” focus in the city I knew was now home for good. (Even though I #istilllovewinnipeg 🥰) Yesterday I had the joy of attending a very special announcement event at #artscommons @yycarts celebrating “the largest philanthropic gift to the performing arts in Canadian history” that “will create a hub for creativity, education, and community engagement in Calgary.” There are many reasons I am proud to call Calgary home. … The investment in innovation and big ideas, the recognition that access to the arts is an essential human right, and seeing evidence that Calgarians are excited to #buildconnectionpoints through the thousands of events that happen here each year! Thank you to the artists that take a chance to create, teach, inspire others. (Great time see you @paula_timm_artist 😁 @yycartsed ) Thank you to the teams that help bring arts experiences to all - including the committed, creative event planners! Thank you to those that invest - like @davidwerklund - for helping Calgary feel like home. Thanks to @alexsarian and his team for the invite - and the reminder that arts are alive and well here in Calgary! Now it’s up to all of us to ensure there are arts experiences that represent - and are open to - all! Learn more about ACT here: artscommons.ca/act

So inspired listening to the @calgaryartsdev report to the community at @cspace.mardaloop Studio Theatre today! @patti_pon_yyc shared “Innovation has to include artists” saying, “If you hear someone say “We have to be more creative!” … ask them, “where are the artists?” #artsforinnovation #artistseverywhere #artistsplanningevents #yyccreatives #eventsbyartists #eventplanninglife

There are not too many places I can show up an hour late not feeling great and leave feeling right on time and feeling fine. 🥰 Thanks to the @yycaap board and members for (always!) creating “meaningful connection points” for partners like me - and all participants - to belong! @candyeventconsulting has been a long time partner with this group of next-level, heart-centred, leadership-focused #adminpros and there is a deep and enduring reason for that. If you’re looking for a place to “learn, grow, and thrive” as an admin - while having a whole lot of fun - connect with the team about membership and monthly events starting again in September! www.CanadianAdmin.ca 👏

Celebrate the beginning of SUMMER (and Maya's Birthday today!) with the last conversation of Season 3 of "The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners" with compelling, creative, connection-focused couple Maya Corona and David ⚡ Schmeikal! @mayacoronaart @davidschmeikal @thebearandunicorn You can find the link in my bio or listen in here ... https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/15291674 "Maya and David 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!" The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners is produced by @candyeventconsulting : Making Your Team Stronger as part of Candy's "Connection First" Course & Community - @theconnectionarchitect Program! >>> www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach DYK? The Healthy Campus Albeta (HCA) Wellness Summit serves as an annual gathering for the HCA Community of Practice, providing an opportunity to come together, learn, share, and celebrate efforts across the province to strengthen post-secondary mental health and wellness. This year’s theme: Introspection: Looking Back to Look Forward I’m loving the opportunity to attend, present, support, and celebrate with the Recovery on Campus (ROC) Alberta team! 🥰 @rocalberta @ucalgary_wedorecover ROC Alberta is on a mission to co-create, champion, and sustain recovery programs that support and celebrate multiple recovery pathways for all campus members in Alberta and beyond. 👏 Reach out to ROC Program Coordinator Chelsie Graham @thematurescholar (second from the left in the photo) to learn more about this important - exciting - initiative - or visit www.RecoveryOnCampusAlberta.ca

I’m #grateful to be in Edmonton this week to lean in with those working to create healthier campuses in Alberta at the Healthy Campus Alberta Wellness Summit hosted by Healthy Campus Alberta - presenting, supporting, and celebrating with the team at Recovery on Campus (ROC) Alberta*! 😀 Since the summer or 2022 Candy Event Consulting has been working with the @rocalberta / Recovery on Campus (ROC) Alberta and @ucalgary_wedorecover / the UCalgary Recovery Community teams. The months to come will be even more exciting with increased funding and growing engagement with the 26 publicly funded post-secondary schools all around Alberta! *ROC Alberta is on a mission to co-create, champion, and sustain recovery programs that support and celebrate multiple recovery pathways for all campus members in Alberta and beyond. Learn more about this important - exciting - initiative at www.RecoveryOnCampusAlberta.ca

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach How fun to join my energized event-planning, event-producing, event-supporting, event-loving friends* … and 100’s of friends of The Calgary Stampede ... last week to enjoy the highly anticipated opening of the expanded #BMOCentre at Stampede Park. #bmocentreyyc The President’s Event and grand opening (organized in part by the amazing community of planners at @sparkeventcol Spark Event Management & Collective!) was an incredible evening of celebration as the team opened the doors to Western Canada’s largest convention centre! To those in our Candy* Circle across Canada and around the world, If you’re looking at Calgary, Alberta, Canada for your next experience - conference, meeting - we ALL invite you to experience a “Greater Way to Gather”! @candyeventconsulting • • • • • Photo 1: David Woodward, Executive Director, Meetings and Conventions at Calgary Tourism (This project was a personal and professional milestone for him and his team! HUGE congrats David and team!) @tourismcalgary @meetingscalgary @woodyda Photo 2: Lisa Christensen, Art Historical Research, Writing, and Curatorial Services (Lisa curated ALL the amazing art on the walls of this incredible building! Oh, and Lisa and her husband Dave have been friends of my hubby @timgareaumusic since they were kids and I’ve been “Folk Festing” with them since I met Tim 12 years ago! So, yeah, we’re Calgary Folk Music Festival tarpies, lol!) Photo 3: Amanda Stephenson, Event Planning Entrepreneur, Founder, @lilyandlarch Lily and Larch Events and Experience Manager at Benevity (Amanda is an event planning powerhouse and is a long time friend of Candy Event Consulting. Great to see you Amanda!) Photo 4: …and many friends from Association of Administrative Professionals - Calgary Branch. @yycaap (Great to see these hashtag#nextlevel hashtag#adminpros Jimmy-Lee, Teresa, Jaclyn, Shayan, and Tammie!) BTW Photo Credit for #4 @cosmophotobooths 📸 www.cosmophotobooths.com

#somewhereovertherainbow 🌈😃

Just when you think the world is over saturated with sceptics and insurmountable circumstances you meet an incredible group of humans ready to build better connections through the events they’re planning. ❤️ #buildconnectionpoints Thank you to each one who put your hand up to join in on this special collab between Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger @candyeventconsulting and Alberta University of the Arts @albertauarts & Alberta University of the Arts - School of Continuing Education & Professional Development #auartsconed - a super-fast-track version of @theconnectionarchitect Program. 🤓 { www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca } 14-hours of learning and connection and they were still engaging and left energized to “Build Better Connections with Events”! 😀 Congratulations Nita, Stephen, Heather, Lori, Sean, Patricia, Pam, and Holly … and welcome to Candy’s growing circle of equipped connectors! 👏 #throwbackthursday #candyeventworkshop #theconnectionarchitect #lisagareau_connectioncoach #albertauniversityofthearts #auartsconed

@lisagareau_connectioncoach just wrapped up with a cohort of 8 everyday event planners who joined in on the “Building Better Connections with Events” Workshop this weekend! It was an online, fun, 14-hour, fast-track of @theconnectionarchitect program thanks to a fun collab with @albertauarts #auartsconed and @candyeventconsulting 😀 Special thank you to this amazing group of planners and to Heidi Brandley, Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation for all your support on making this learning possible for everyday event planners! #tcapconnectors #candyeventworkshop #auarts #lisagareau_connectioncoach #buildconnectionpoints

@lisagareau_connectioncoach is getting ready to facilitate “Building Better Connections with Events” - tomorrow’s online, fun, fast-track of @theconnectionarchitect program thanks to a fun collab with @albertauarts #auartsconed and @candyeventconsulting 😀 Tour today. 😍 Teach tomorrow. 🤓 Special thanks to Heidi Brandley, Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation for all your support on making this learning possible for everyday event planners! #tcapconnectors #candyeventworkshop #auarts #lisagareau_connectioncoach #buildconnectionpoints

DYK? The Connection Architect Program contains Four Levels of Learning? Level One • EVENT STRATEGY Level Two • EVENT PLANNING Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS Level Four • EVENT MARKETING But what inspired each, connection-building Learning Level? In 2022 @lisagareau_connectioncoach recorded a short four-part storytelling series on her podcast for planners sharing some of her life lessons and how those lessons informed and inspired each learning level of this "Connection First" course and community. We invite you to lean in and listen to all four episodes at the links below on "The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners" or comment which Learning Level interests you most and we'll send you the direct link! Level One • EVENT STRATEGY (17:57) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9358892 Level Two • EVENT PLANNING (15:40) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9387195 Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS (11:31) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9466329 Level Four • EVENT MARKETING (13:30) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9849252 The Connection Architect Program is for the everyday event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan. Are YOU ready? 😀 Sign up to join our next online, fun, fast-track cohort on May 25-26, 2024 in collaboration with the Alberta University of the Arts here - www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca or directly at https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events - and we’ll see you there! PS Add Promocode: TCAP2 to get $20 off your registration! 😀

Posted @withregram • @theconnectionarchitect Since founding @candyeventconsulting in 2008, Connection Strategy Coach, @lisagareau_connectioncoach has helped guide 1000’s of everyday event planners and their teams to build more meaningful connection points – aka events – for their customers, clients, core teams and community members. In her “Connection First” course and community called The Connection Architect Program (TCAP), Lisa now guides planners to first lay the foundation for better connections with the cornerstones of Mindset, Mastery, Mentorship, and Momentum. She then leads each cohort of connectors to Master the Four Levels of Event Planning & Promotion. But what inspired this game-changing, connection-building program? In 2022 Lisa recorded a short four-part storytelling series on her podcast for planners, sharing some of her life lessons and how those lessons informed and inspired the development of each learning level of The Connection Architect Program. We invite you to lean in and listen to all four episodes at the links below on The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners! Level One • EVENT STRATEGY https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9358892 Level Two • EVENT PLANNING https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9387195 Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9466329 Level Four • EVENT MARKETING https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/9849252 If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you already know events can be used to grow your business, create a positive impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. But meaningful connections don’t happen by chance. The Connection Architect Program is for the everyday event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan. Are YOU ready? 😀 Sign up to join our next online, fun, fast-track cohort on May 25-26, 2024 in collaboration with the Alberta University of the Arts here - www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca or directly at https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events - and we’ll see you there! PS Add Promocode: TCAP2 to get $20 off your registration! 😀

I had a fantastic time at the “Faith, Fundraising, and Communications Symposium” in Edmonton last week! https://ffcsymposium.net/ Thanks again to organizer and visionary Wilfred Golbeck (Skyline Communications) for the invitation to present my passion - and some practical learning - for those planning and promoting fundraising events. My first session on day one was “Making Your Event Matter” where we explored what would make our events matter to teams, donors, partners, and - ultimately - our attendees! In the second session on day two I had the joy of presenting - aka pinch-hitting - with friend and colleague Ashley Cruz about how to create an engaging social media campaign. The selfie here was a real-time example - and hopefully an encouragement - to “just get started” by telling their stories right-smack-in-the-middle of their everyday moments. (Thanks all for being great sports about taking the shot!) And to all of those that stopped me to chat about your event joys and challenges - thank you too. Your stories were an inspiration and remind me why I have chosen to do this work as a Connection Strategy Coach! PS If you are out there planning and promoting events for your non-profit, charity, organization, or group know that I’ve been there and I’m ready to be with you - and your planning team - as you work to make your events matter! www.CandyConsulting.ca/Clarity • www.LisaGareau.ca

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach Being a Mom has been one of the biggest joys of my life. 🥰 My girls have found their way to adulthood with grit and grace and are a constant source of learning, inspiration - and comic relief - for me. Love you @journee_live and @sharayaah - today and always! 😘 { PS I was able to record a “road trip” episode of my podcast with my girls Journee & Sharayah https://theconnectornextdoor.buzzsprout.com/1812614/12065297 }

What a joy to have met Inez Ashworth @inezashworth, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Strategist and owner of @inclusive.concepts and Narissa Jessa narissajessa, Inclusion Specialist and their work with #IDEAleaders and #HRprofessionals last month at their incredible #leadingwithheart2024 conference at the @kananaskislodge 👏 As part of their fantastic experience they made great resources available to each attendee including some thought-provoking and inspiring reading. I've been in deep conversation with event planning connectors over the last few months and making "IDEA" - or Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility - actionable is top of mind. I'm looking forward to diving into these books over the next couple of months and helping planners move from curiosity to conversation to caring to creating action. Do you have hashtag#IDEA hashtag#DEI resources, links, books, to share with the hashtag#eventplanners in my circle? Please add your favourites in the comments below! 👇 Wondering how to start the conversation in your business, organization, or group? Reach out to Inez and Narissa or link through to learn more about this important conference - and their important work - here: https://inclusiveconcepts.ca/events/leading-with-heart/ @lisagareau_connectioncoach @theconnectionarchitect @candyeventconsulting

Are you ready to build better connections through the events your planning? Welcome to a fun, fast-track, live, online, weekend experience of The Connection Architect Program @theconnectionarchitect on May 25-26 in collaboration with @albertauarts Alberta University of the Arts! Register to join in on this special cohort of event planning connectors here >>> https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events <<< and I’ll see you there! {Make sure to add the Promocode: TCAP20 to get $20 off your registration!} #buildconnectionpoints #candyeventconsulting #lisagareau_connectioncoach @lisagareau_connectioncoach

Posted @withregram • @eventmindsmatter If your an #event #meeting #incentivetravel or #hospitality professional than you want to be part of this conversation with @annette.m.gregg from @siteglobal and Leslie Bennett from @mentalhealthinnovations. #emotionalhealth and #wellbeing is not defined by a month, week, or day. It’s finding the everyday awareness and actioning solutions that benefit us and those in our workplaces and life. Join #eventmindsmatter May 28th at 11am EDT for an honest, organic and safe conversation about breaking a cycle of not prioritizing ourselves first. Registration can be found on our @eventmindsmatter LinkedIn page. We welcome your input and ideas. @lizakeyy @gisele.robert.1 @sitetexas @site.chicago @sitemtnwest @sitesocalyl @sitesoutheast @sitesocal @site_ireland @sitemexicochapter

What a day at the @ecschoolmuseum for the #eastcouleespringfest yesterday! Loved the road trip out through the #hoodoos, hearing my #hunkyhubby play his first #festival, and spending time in this historical location! #springfestival #timgareaumusic #festivalvibes #newconnections #eastcouleeschoolmuseum

Are you #livinthedream 😎 Who we surround ourselves with matters. 🥰 I’m so grateful to be with a true partner who supports my #candyeventdreams and who I can support as he pursues his #musiclifedreams 😀 #buildingalifeworthliving {PS My #hunkyhubby @timgareaumusic is on stage at 5:30 at the East Coulee Spring Festival!}@ecschoolmuseum #roadtrippin #timgareaumusic #prwifelife

We've been celebrating connection over the last couple of weeks! When I find myself saying it's "heavy conference season" I remind myself it's actually a "happy connection season". 🥰 Thank you to master connector Chelsie Graham @thematurescholar - who's sporting the pink flower glasses - for taking the time to support the conversations and connections at the #candyeventcoachingcorner at this year's @yycaap Canadian Administrative Professionals Symposium #CAPS24 for the 340 #adminpros attending! Loved that some of our Candy connections were ready to get silly too! 😄 Wonderful to reconnect with Carrie "cool" Mittelstadt @carriemittelstadt , Camille "OMG" Barry @camillebarry16 , Dinah "heart" Richard from the @aap_edmonton executive team, and Chrisy Burton @chrisyburton National Director- President at AAP @administrative.professionals of Canada! 🎉 Are you an Administrative Professional in Canada looking to "learn, grow, and thrive" check out what's possible when you get connected at www.canadianadmin.ca 💯❤️ 📸 Oh, and that's @lisagareau_connectioncoach repping a #yyc #cowtownhat #yycishomenow #yycbusiness 🤠 #buildbetterconnections #candyeventconsulting #lisagareau_connectioncoach #heavyconferenceseason #happyconnectionseason #connectionmatters

Posted @withregram • @theconnectionarchitect Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate the masses to participate in your project, product, or idea. In this fast-track weekend workshop, you will learn to plan your own events with a “Connection First” foundation, master the four levels of event planning and promotion, and start building better connections through any event you plan! Register to join in on May 25-26 as Candy Founder and Connection Strategy Coach, Lisa Gareau facilitates a fast-track of Candy’s course called “The Connection Architect Program” in collaboration with Alberta University of the Arts. @albertauarts @candyeventconsulting @lisagareau_connectioncoach @theconnectionarchitect This is an “affordable, accessible, and applicable” learning opportunity for anyone, planning any event, anywhere who wants to learn how to build better connections through the events they plan. Your customers, clients, core team, or community members are eager to connect. Are you ready to be their event planning connector? You can be by “Building Better Connections with Events”! Learn more and register today for this online, fast-track, #AUArts workshop taking place on the weekend of May 25-26 at https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events And if you’re reading this, you can receive $20 off the $97 CDN registration by using the PromoCode: TCAP20

Look honey! @timgareaumusic 😲 I learned to make sushi today! 😅 You can thank @wellnesswithnicole_ for her fun make-your-own-nutritious-lunch session at the 4 Wing Wellness Summit @4wingmesses @4winghealthpromotion 🍱. (Note: the state of my first sushi roll - aka sushi salad on the right - does not reflect on the expertise of the teacher - lol!) Thanks Nicole! 😁

What an incredible day for these #adminpros from around Alberta and across the country. Today over 300 are in attendance at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 👏 Every year the Association of Administrative Professionals - Calgary Branch (AAP) @yycaap executive team pulls out all the stops and pulls together this incredible day of learning and connection!

Every year the Association of Administrative Professionals - Calgary Branch (AAP) @yycaap executive team pulls out all the stops and pulls together to create an incredible day for #adminpros from around Alberta and across the country. Today over 300 are in attendance! 👏 I’ve been partnering with AAP for many years and am excited to be at the Canadian Administrative Professionals Summit (CAPS) again this year. Already getting hugs from old friends and ready to make new ones. 😀 Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger has been supporting everyday event planners - like the Administrative Professionals in the room - since 2008 ... and we’re not stopping now! 🙌 If you’re here at the @ctcc_calgary pop by our Candy connection area for a quick event consult, peer-to-peer connection opportunity, and enter to win some sweet gifts! 👋 #buildconnectionpoints #candyeventconsulting

#leadingwithheart2024 💙💚❤️ #earthday 🌎🌍🌏 #fireside #mountainview

Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate the masses to participate in your project, product, or idea. In this fast-track weekend workshop, you will learn to plan your own events with a “Connection First” foundation, master the four levels of event planning and promotion, and start building better connections through any event you plan! Register to join in on May 25-26 as Candy Founder and Connection Strategy Coach, Lisa Gareau facilitates a fast-track of Candy’s course called “The Connection Architect Program” in collaboration with Alberta University of the Arts. @albertauarts @candyeventconsulting @lisagareau_connectioncoach @theconnectionarchitect This is an “affordable, accessible, and applicable” learning opportunity for anyone, planning any event, anywhere who wants to learn how to build better connections through the events they plan. Your customers, clients, core team, or community members are eager to connect. Are you ready to be their event planning connector? You can be by “Building Better Connections with Events”! Learn more and register today for this online, fast-track, #AUArts workshop taking place on the weekend of May 25-26 at https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events And if you’re reading this, you can receive $20 off the $97 CDN registration by using the PromoCode: TCAP20

Beautiful morning at the #leadingwithheart2024 conference produced and hosted by the @inclusive.concepts team ❤️ This experience offers attendees a space for “collective learning and relearning in the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility space” - going “beyond learning, development and connection by providing intentional spaces and opportunities for attendees to reflect, rest and recharge.” Learn more at https://inclusiveconcepts.ca/events/leading-with-heart/

The Faith, Fundraising, and Communication Symposium brings together like-minded professionals from across Canada to Edmonton to learn, network, and be inspired about their work and career. The 2024 Symposium is now only three weeks away and Candy Founder @lisagareau_connectioncoach is excited to participate again - this time hosting a special session called "Making Your Events Matter". If you are contributing to the growth of your organization, be sure to register be part of this connection-building event on May 6-7 HERE! >>> https://ffcsymposium.net/about-the-symposium/ #fundraising #events #communicationskills #connectionmatters #claritycounts #candyeventworkshop #lisagareau_connectioncoach #yegfundraisingevents #clarity #connection #confidence

Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! 🥰 Your customers, clients, core team, or community members are eager to connect. Are you ready to be their event planning connector? You can be by “Building Better Connections with Events” facilitated by @lisagareau_connectioncoach 👋🏼 Learn more and register today for this online, fast-track, @albertauarts workshop based on Candy’s @theconnectionarchitect program on the weekend of May 25-26 at https://lnkd.in/g6yTtgjy (or send me a DM for the link) 😀 And if you’re reading this, you can receive $20 off the $97 CDN registration by using the PromoCode: TCAP20 🎉

So grateful for what felt like a “best of Candy” week! 😊 Here’s a few things that lit me up, let me play, and have me looking to the future! Loved the chance to sit down – face to face – with out-of-town client and friend Nita Knapp of Coaching with Nita! @coachingwithnita The launch of the ROC Event Toolkit yesterday was so exciting as it will become a living and breathing resource for those planning and promoting recovery-friendly, substance-free, on-campus events in many Post-Secondary Institutions in Alberta! www.recoveryoncampusalberta.ca @rocalberta @thematurescholar @thesoberprofessorphd Huge thank you to long-time industry friend, videographer, Sergey Abramov for the invitation to join in on the @mpiyyc ONE TALKS event yesterday to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day. It was a great day of connection and learning. www.newwestvideo.ca @new_west_video Aaaand … I’m thrilled to announce a new partnership between Candy Event Consulting and Alberta University of the Arts! www.auarts.ca @albertauarts @candyeventconsulting In the months to come we will be collaborating to bring brand new, virtual learning and connection opportunities for anyone planning or promoting their own events! Your first opportunity to tap into the power of this collab will be on the weekend of May 25-26 as I facilitate Candy's new course called The Connection Architect Program. 😀 It's an "affordable, accessible, and applicable" learning opportunity for anyone, planning any event, anywhere who wants to learn how to build better connections through the events they plan. I created The Connection Architect Program in 2020 for anyone who was ready to apply a more creative, artistic, “Connection First” approach to their event planning. @theconnectionarchitect www.theconnectionarchitect.ca You can register for this online, fast-track, AUArts workshop taking place on May 25-26 at https://www.auarts.ca/building-better-connections-with-events (or send me a DM for the link). Receive $20 off your registration with PromoCode: TCAP20 So grateful for this week. So excited to see what’s next. So ready to support you on your event planning journey! @lisagareau_connectioncoach

Getting ready for today’s ROC Event Toolkit Reveal with @rocalberta Recovery on Campus Alberta this afternoon! 😀 Want to participate? Send me a DM and I can get you the link! 👋🏼

Posted @withregram • @rocalberta Join Recovery On Campus (ROC) Alberta Program Coordinator, Chelsie Graham, and Candy Event Consulting Founder and Connection Strategy Coach, Lisa Gareau, as they reflect on a year of incredible recovery-friendly ROC events that have enhanced on-campus communities all around Alberta and reveal the brand new ROC Event Toolkit - loaded with great ideas and information! Recovery on Campus will be announcing the new ROC Seed Grant funding and process during this event! Looking forward to seeing all of you there. Registration in our Bio! @lisagareau_connectioncoach @candyeventconsulting @ucalgary_wedorecover @thesoberprofessorphd

Posted @withregram • @cspace.projects Exciting News! Introducing The Market at cSPACE Marda Loop! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the launch of The Market at cSPACE Marda Loop, a vibrant fusion of arts, culture, and culinary delights! Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating local talent and flavours. What to Expect: – Local Fresh Food Vendors – Arts and Craft Vendors – Engaging Free Kids’ Programming – Live Music from an array of established and up-and-coming artists Whether you’re seeking farm-fresh produce, unique handmade treasures, family-friendly activities, or simply soaking in the tunes, The Market at cSPACE Marda Loop promises something for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating our vibrant community! See you soon at The Market! Interested in becoming a Vendor? A Performer? A Volunteer? Check out the links in our bio! cSPACE recognizes the generous support of the @rozsafoundation. #cspacemarket #cspacemardaloop #cspaceprojects #themarketatcspace #yyc #yycmarkets #yycvendors #yycartsandculture #shoplocal #comingsoon

“What’s it all for?” My daughter asked me this question while we waited for a tow truck at the side of a busy highway in the middle of a spring snowstorm last week. We have a joke in our house that started with the fact that I can’t handle intense zombie movies or shows. For years my husband has tried to convince me to watch these shows with him saying, “but it’s all about the relationships!” - lol! “It’s all about the relationships.”, I said. In that moment we connected. In that moment it truly was “all about the relationship” we have built over the years. To celebrate my birthday in early March I took my yearly solo week away in the mountains. It turned out to be the start of an unplanned time off social media and a chance to live life under the radar for a change. As I was preparing to emerge and reengage in my social media accounts this week, my daughter’s question prompted me to revisit and share some memories from last month that will serve to remind me “what it’s all for”. So here we go! 1. Spontaneous road trips to to Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis this month have kept me creative and connected to myself! 2. I took myself climbing for my Birthday at the #spiritrockclimbingcenter in Kimberley during my solo week away and got a lesson from a friendly stranger. 3. I attended the inspiring 3-day “Nonprofit Marketing Summit” and ate my birthday cheesecake at Crème in Kimberley - discussing their last day in business. 4. Loved hosting my “Vision Board Boost” session with a virtual room of planners who were ready to live their best lives. 5. I joined in a meetup of inspiring women hosted by my good friend Nkechi Ogeah, Relationship Manager with RBC. 6. We celebrated #mygirl Journee’s 24th Birthday - and everything that is possible for her in the year to come! 7. We had family time with #mygirls Journee … and Sharayah who just left to adventure in Japan! 8. My hubby loves time with Journee’s pup … our furry grandpup. (I’m not jealous at all!) 9. Ok, I got a fun lunch date with my #hunkyhubby @timgareaumusic - this time at #lazyloafyyc 10. Since my girls were little, we’ve celebrated Easter Sunday with a silly riddle hunt and treats!

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach Last year I had the JOY of presenting on-stage activations for the Association of Administrative Professionals - Calgary Branch (AAP) @yycaap Canadian Administrative Professionals Summit (CAPS) in April of 2023. I’ve pulled together some highlights for you on our @candyeventconsulting Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/XgzAqCLuu9I?si=11MNZtRJRm7gisSa ... send me a DM for the direct link! It was so much fun to work with the executive planning committee and the summit speakers to support the learning throughout the day - reenforcing the message that it WAS possible for #adminpros to live and work at the “next level”! Throughout the day I brought the attendees through each activation with the happy hope that they would learn to understand what they truly want, believe it would be possible to experience it, and put their heart first as they pursue a “next level” life. Many attendees shared their own stories of transformation with me during the summit breaks. I loved connecting deeper with this dynamic community of Administrative Professionals I have been supporting for many years. If you are planning an event, conference, workshop, or gathering and would like to “activate the learning” for your group, members, or community - I’d love to hear all about it. Your next event CAN be an energized “connection point” where your clients, customers, core team, or community members can gather and grow. And I’m here to help! https://www.lisagareau.ca/ { PS Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger has been supporting everyday event planners - like the Administrative Professionals in the room - since 2008 ... and we’re not stopping now! 🙌 Candy will be at the Canadian Administrative Professionals Summit (CAPS) on April 25 of 2024 and there is still time to register. You can still register for #CAPS24 - find the link is in the @yycaap bio!

Posted @withregram • @yycaap We are happy to welcome back @candyeventconsulting to #CAPS2024. Join more than 220 of Calgary’s finest administrative professionals at this one-day professional development conference and learn from industry leading experts. Tickets on sale until April 19. Purchase at link in bio.

Posted @withregram • @eventmindsmatter The next episode of the Dr Will See you Now, comes to your screen Wednesday March 20th at 11am EST. Pop over to our LinkedIn event page to register for this discussion on the do’s and don’t’s of verbal communication when working with other members of your team. Clarity and Understanding: Verbal communication allows for clear and direct expression of ideas, instructions, and information. In the events industry, where precise details and coordination are essential, verbal communication helps ensure that everyone involved understands their roles, responsibilities, and the overall event plan. #virtualproduction #psychologicalsafety #eventprof

Sometimes creating means clearing what you already know to make way for what you are yet to learn. #sortyourthoughts #seesomethingnew #letitgo #letitinspireyou #minimizetomaximize

Did a deep dive with a group of dreamers today! 🥰 #visionboardboost #visionboards #inspired #everydayeventplanners #candyeventworkshop

Congratulations to those that chose to "boost their vision" by joining Candy's "Vision Board Boost" session today. Here are three important takeaways we talked about today ...

Posted @withregram • @rocalberta This week we celebrated the grand opening of the @ucalgary_wedorecover Recovery Hub, Alberta’s first on-campus drop-in recovery space, at the official launch event! Among the esteemed guests and speakers were Calgary Mayor @jyotigondek and Dr. Penny Werthner, Interim Provost & Vice-President of the University of Calgary. The hub, a pioneer in Alberta, offers substance-free events, peer support meetings, one-to-one support with social workers, and drop-in space for all campus members. ROC is changing the conversation about addiction and recovery so that campus members no longer suffer in silence. To learn more about Recovery On Campus - ROC Alberta or to get involved, click the 🔗 in our bio. #studentrecovery #collegiaterecovery #recoveringoutloud #recoveryliveshere #wedorecover #multiplepathways

Join me this Sunday March 3 from 2-3:30 PM MST via Zoom for a live – and lively – discussion about how to keep moving toward your best life. In this interactive session, I'll help you boost your planning engine so you can warm up to what's possible in your life and work! You CAN complete your physical or digital vision board and commit to whatever you want to be, do, or have in your life. This is your invitation grab your unfinished board, gather your vision-building supplies, and get ready to "Revisit Your Vision. Reset Your Dreams!" Send me a DM for the link cut and paste this Zoom link in your browser to register for FREE! https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-Gprz0qG9OwVNSWVUBiWfS3uGUPKwc0

Bump up your bravery today by listening in to my fear-busting conversation with Ashley Tedham, "Global Visionary, Courageous Leader, and Natural Connector" on The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/14598746 • • • • • Ashley 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. In April 2021, Ashley took on a new role with Benevity 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. @benevity @makingchangesyyc 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! • • • • • The Connector Next Door is produced by Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger as part of Candy's "Connection-First" Course & Community, The Connection Architect Program. @theconnectionarchitect more here: www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca/Podcast

Have you taken part in a vision boarding process with the goal of clarifying your direction, concentrating on what matters to you, or focusing on specific goals for your work and life? BUT … ... you've stalled in the middle of creating your vision board? ... you've shuffled your board away for "another day"? ... you've lost sight of the vision you once saw so clear? Candy's "Vision Board Boost : Revisit Your Vision. Reset Your Dreams!" is the chance for you to reset your vision and restart Planning with Vision! Candy Founder and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau will be online Sunday, March 3, 2024 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM MST and would love to have you join (for FREE) via Zoom for a live – and lively – discussion about how to keep moving toward your best life. In this interactive session, Lisa will help you boost your planning engine so you can warm up to what's possible in your life and work! You CAN complete your physical or digital vision board and commit to whatever you want to be, do, or have in your life. This is your invitation grab your unfinished board, gather your vision-building supplies, and get ready to "Revisit Your Vision. Reset Your Dreams!" Send us a DM for the link! ••• Presented by @lisagareau_connectioncoach @candyeventconsulting Learn more about Candy Academy of Event Management + Promotion at www.CandyConsulting.ca/Connection

I've always been curious to find the connections between my life and work. Through four decades of planning and promoting events, I've learned to embrace my life experiences as a source of inspiration for my work. I now coach everyday event planners to embrace their experiences so they can enhance their planning too. I'm excited to invite you to read my story-filled, heart-centered, just released book - "Event Planning from the Inside Out: Embrace Your Experiences & Enhance Your Planning". It just might be what YOU need to embrace YOUR experiences and enhance YOUR planning! You can learn more and link though to purchase the ebook on our Candy Event Consulting website here! https://www.candyconsulting.ca/resources OR link through to Save 25% on your purchase of the ebook on Smashwords through February here! https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1511405?ref= Want to explore what's possible in YOUR planning reach out for a free 30-minute hello by linking through here: https://calendly.com/candyeventconsulting/30min I can’t wait to help you embrace your experiences and enhance your planning! Published by Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger

Candy Founder @lisagareau_connectioncoach is looking forward to facilitating #connection activations for the @4wingmesses #pspwellnesssummit in April alongside the amazing @trish_tutton who will be speaking on #mindfulness 😊 #wellnessjourney “🌿 Embark on a wellness journey with keynote speaker Lisa Gareau at the upcoming summit. As a Connection Strategy coach and accomplished event planner, Lisa invites you to discover the profound impact of intentional connections and strategic well-being. Join us for an enlightening experience that transcends traditional wellness approaches. ✨” #PSPWellnessSummit #ConnectionStrategy #HolisticWellBeing #KeynoteSpeaker #StrategicWellness #4wingcoldlake Enbridge and Top Aces presents the first iteration of the PSP Wellness Summit, scheduled for 27 & 28 April, 2024! Hosted by 4 Wing PSP, this event offers a one-of-a-kind health and wellness experience to Cold Lake. This event is designed to encourage, develop, and solidify wellness practices - from breathing techniques and mindfulness, to community capacity building. We invite you to join a team of accomplished health and well-being facilitators from around the province, and like-minded individuals to gather, share, and celebrate health and wellness. Located in a calming environment at the Officers’ Mess the 2 day event runs from 0930-1530. A noon-hour nutrition break is provided each day. Tiered pricing available for military, defence team, and non-defence team. Tickets can be purchased beginning on 8 December at Col J.J. Parr Sports Center front desk. We look forward to seeing you at this incredible gathering! Ticket pricing: Military - $180.00 Defence Team - $218.00 Non-Defence Team - $248.00

#saturdayvibes ☀️☀️☀️

Linda Joyce Jones, SHRM-CP believes that gathering is essential to living a meaningful life. What a joy to be able to have Linda join me for a conversation about "connection" on the latest episode of "The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners". Grab your lunch, link through here, and listen in! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/14516469 • • • • • Linda is 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, but they haven’t thought about how they can apply their diverse skills to planning events. 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! • • • • • "The Connector Next Door is your invitation to meet natural connectors here in Canada and all around world. Each one is an everyday event planner who works to create meaningful connections through the events they plan. Their stories are familiar, fun, and full of charm. Your host, Lisa Gareau, is a lifelong Event Planner and has been a Connection Strategy Coach for over a decade. She knows events can become energized connecting points where communities can gather and grow. www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca/Podcast

What does 15 years in my biz look like? 🧐 It's relentlessly leaning into my passion. 💫 It's boldly speaking my truth. 💬 It's lovingly learning to set boundaries. 🚧 It's having the courage to live - and work - with ease. 🙋‍♀️ Sure I've faced many hard knocks. 🤕 But there is always a deep JOY in this heart-centred journey! 😁 If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group and feel you need support, know I've "been there" and I'm ready to be with you on your planning journey. 🧡 - @lisagareau_connectioncoach Learn more about how Candy Event Consulting @candyeventconsulting : Making Your Team Stronger can help make YOU and YOUR TEAM stronger here! 👉 www.CandyConsulting.ca 👈 #eventplanners #diy #inhouse #everydayplanner ✏ #gainclarity 💡 #getconnected 🔌 #growinconfidence 💪 #lisagareau_connectioncoach 👋 #candyeventconsulting 🍭 #connectionmatters 🤝 #capacitybuilding

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach My one and only. 🥰 #myvalentine @timgareaumusic

We LOVE events! 🧡 If you do too 🧡 ... we're excited to meet you! www.CandyConsulting.ca/Contact #eventlove #eventplanner #eventcoordinator #eventmanager

The Event Minds Matter community both applauds the drive for excellence in the event industry AND recognizes the need to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of driven event professionals. The struggle is (very!) real but together we are working to find solutions and are passionate to help the next generation of event pros feel safe and supported in their work. Event Minds Matter, Founder Janice Cardinale VEMM took the time have a conversation with Candy Founder and Connection Strategy Coach, Lisa Gareau on her podcast The Connector Next Door Podcast for Planners. @janice_cardinale @eventmindsmatter @lisagareau_connectioncoach Janice has had HUNDREDS of powerful conversations over the last two years since founding Event Minds Matter, and is an example of how "once we know better we can do better". And we must both change the conversation and take action for the sake of the next generation of event planners! Lisa is excited to be part of the much-needed movement toward #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalhealth #wellnessatwork for anyone who chooses to plan events. The struggle is real but the solutions are available ... and will make such a difference! ❤️ Link through here to hear the conversation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1812614/14380499 Learn more about Event Minds Matter on their LinkedIn community here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/event-minds-matter/ Lean in and start planning events with "Connections First" with Candy here: http://www.theconnectionarchitect.ca @theconnectionarchitect

Great night at cSPACE Marda Loop for a “mesmerizing musical journey”, as the acclaimed Robin Tufts Trio took center stage at the I Heart Arts Valentine’s Showcase. Renowned drummer and percussionist Robin Tufts, along with the exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist Jon Day and versatile bassist Simon Fisk, gave guests “an evening of jazz exploration that transcended boundaries.” Learn more about this incredible community of artists and creative entrepreneurs at www.:cspacemardaloop.com

Is what you’ve been doing in the past not working for you anymore? As you look to ramp up in 2024 it might be time to learn what you need to shake off and where and how to skill up in your event planning work!   Listen in to “ Candy’s Short Guide to Expanding Your Skills” - part of “Candy’s Short Guides to Learning” online teaching series - on our Candy Youtube channel here!   https://youtu.be/dpMNeiEHj7Y?si=vwXCCLLdOBUJZqlM … or visit www.CandyConsulting.ca/Guides to get the link!   { This presentation was recorded with a group LIVE on Zoom on Thursday, April 21, 2022. You can find the links to ALL Candy’s Short Guides to Learning replays here: www.CandyConsulting.ca/Guides }   • • • • •    🤓 BTW at the 6-8 minute mark Candy Founder and Connection Strategy Coach, Lisa Gareau shares how - if we get clear about the problem we’re trying to solve - we can apply our experiences to enhance our planning.   @lisagareau_connectioncoach recently used this concept to ground her new book “Event Planning from the Inside Out: Embrace Your Experiences & Enhance Your Planning”. Learn more and get your copy here: https://www.CandyConsulting.ca/Resources

Guess who? Yup! That’s Candy founder, @lisagareau_connectioncoach at 13. 😁 Lisa often shares how she is a “life-long event planner” and this - whether she knew it or not at the time - is where it all began. This super-snazzy school shot was taken just months after her family moved from Saskatoon to Winnipeg. In her new book “Event Planning from the Inside Out: Embrace Your Experiences & Enhance Your Planning”, Lisa shares what was modeled to her by her community-building parents, where she found her passion to plan events with a “connection-first” foundation, and how many of her experiences led her to her life’s work as a coach for everyday event planners and their teams. Here’s a sneak peek into the first chapter. 🔎 “Winnipeg called, and my parents carved the path to our new life. Soon after our arrival, my middle sister and I entered the rundown-drugstore-turned-church-building on the edge of Winnipeg’s downtown core. The two of us sat in the front row on one of the donated pews to listen to a welcome song lovingly performed on a guitar, piano, accordion – and if I’m remembering right – a kazoo! She nudged me, and we both knew. To quote Dorothy in one of our favourite movies, The Wizard of Oz, we “weren’t in Kansas anymore”. This was a whole new experience. It didn’t take us long to activate as a family. My dad prepared a talk each week. My mom started groups for women in and around the area. My sister started a coffee house where local musicians could play. And - at 13 - I started my first kids club, putting my love for crafts and crazy games to work for the families in the community. Many of our own family suppers sounded more like committee meetings! As I became more aware of the connections we were making, I became intrigued with what else was possible.” Link through here to purchase your copy of this story-filled, heart-centered companion to Candy’s Five Keys to Event Planning workshop: https://books2read.com/b/lisagareauinsideout ... or buy your copy on Smashwords and get 25% off in February as our gift to you! 💝 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1511405?ref=

What are you grateful for today? 😌 #graatefulfortoday #dailypractice #mentalhealthmatters #wellnessjourney

@cspace.mardaloop 🎨❤️ Fall in love with creativity at cSPACE Marda Loop’s Valentine’s showcase, I Heart Arts! 🌟 Join us on Thursday, February 8, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a celebration of the arts that goes beyond Valentine’s Day. 💘⁠ ⁠ Experience:⁠ ⁠ 💖 Free activities for all ages!⁠ ⁠ 💖 Charming demos by the artists and creatives in our cSPACE arts hub community⁠ ⁠ 💖 Adorable live music performances from to-die-for local artists The Robin Tufts Trio⁠ ⁠ 💖 Sense-ual signature cocktails by Alberta Craft Council⁠ ⁠ 💖 Eye-catching exhibitions from Exposure Photo Festival artists⁠ ⁠ 💖 Silent auction delights from Marda Loop BIA businesses⁠ ⁠ Whether it’s the silent auction, live music, or exhibitions that steal your heart, I Heart Arts is your ticket to warmth on a winter night. Don’t miss this chance to embrace creativity, community, and connection.⁠ ⁠ PS Free parking!⁠ 🌟 In the lot on 29th Avenue⁠ 🌟 Street parking around the building⁠ 🌟 In the Marda Loop Community Association lot, kitty corner to cSPACE Marda Loop on 16th Street SW.⁠ ⁠ PPS Let us know if you’d like to volunteer! ⁠ ⁠ ———⁠ ⁠ #cspace #cspaceprojects #cspacemardaloop #mardaloop #southcalgary #yyc #yycart #yycevents #yycliving #yycbuzz #jazz #exhibition #free

Are you needing an event strategy that will help you connect meaningfully with your customers, clients, core team, or community members in 2024? 💌 Online or in-person we’ve got you! 🤓 For over 15 years it’s been our job - and joy! - to guide everyday event planners and their teams to “Gain Clarity 💡, Get Connected 💞 , and Grow in Confidence 👍 .” Learn how @lisagareau_connectioncoach can help you build capacity and make your team stronger 💪 at www.CandyConsulting.ca 👩‍💻 #candyeventconsulting #eventplanningsupport #candyeventteam #candyeventcoach #eventstrategy #lisagareau_connectioncoach

All through the month of love - starting TODAY February 2 - @lisagareau_connectioncoach is gifting 25% off her new ebook “Event Planning from the Inside Out: Embrace Your Experiences and Enhance Your Planning”! AND with your purchase you’ll get FREE access to “Candy’s Five Keys to Event Planning” workshop series this Spring and a FREE copy of the corresponding, downloadable colouring book illustrated by Calgary's own Dean Stanton! Link through here https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1511405 and add code: WWDGB when checking out to receive 25% off until February 29, 2024!

"Easy as ..." You know the ending "... 1 - 2 - 3." A step by step process can help us simplify a task but what if you don't know what your "next best step" could be? 🤷‍♀️ If you are planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you may need to actually take a "step back" before stepping into what's next for you and your team. 🔍 Here at @candyeventconsulting we offer deep-dive strategy sessions that will have you doing the two step toward sweet event success for 2024! 🍭 Learn more about how @lisagareau_connectioncoach can support your team here! www.CandyConsulting.ca/Clarity { 📸 These coat hangers and numbers are in our view from our colorful coworking desk in the Sandbox at @cspace.mardaloop ... a good reminder to take the day "one step at a time"! }

Posted @withregram • @lisagareau_connectioncoach The road to my life’s work as a Connection Strategy Coach has been a journey of honouring my past as an “everyday” event planner - and staying in tune with the lessons I was learning along the way. Pre-orders are available for my new book “Event Planning from the Inside Out: Embrace Your Experiences and Enhance Your Planning”. Link through to the @candyeventconsulting website to learn more and to purchase your copy! www.CandyConsulting.ca/Resources { Special mentions to the beloved and bold - Calgary-based - artist @deanstanton1 Dean Stanton for the Book and corresponding Coloring Book art, to the brilliant @kirsteyjanecreative Kirstey Jane for the cover and author photos, and to @lucyellenbrazier Lucy Brazier OBE for publishing the first cut of my Five Keys stories in @executivesupportmagazine Executive Support Magazine. Thank you for being such an important part of my journey! }