CanSPEP - Business Associate Advisory Council

What is a CanSPEP Business Associate?

A Business Associate is a valued industry partner—hotel, destination, venue, service provider, or supplier—who supports and engages directly with Canada’s leading independent event professionals.

By becoming a Business Associate, your organization gains:

Direct access to a national network of planners and event agency owners
Visibility and positioning as a trusted partner to top-tier professionals
Opportunities to grow your business through targeted engagement

This is more than a membership—it's a seat at the table where Canada's top event entrepreneurs gather, share, and source.

To be eligible, you must:

Provide products or services relevant to the events industry
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the independent planner business model
Uphold CanSPEP’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards
Respect the planner-only nature of our community, acting as a collaborator—not a competitor

Please note: CanSPEP maintains a 60:40 ratio of planners to business associates to preserve the integrity and focus of our network. All Business Associate applications are reviewed by our Board of Directors for fit and alignment.

Click here to apply

Introducing Our Business Associate Advisory Council (BAAC)

The Business Associate Advisory Council is a select group of industry partners—hotels, destinations, service providers, and suppliers—who play a strategic role in shaping how CanSPEP engages with the wider events ecosystem.

This advisory group provides insight, innovation, and collaboration between our supplier community and our independent planners. Together, they help:

Guide sponsorship opportunities and supplier engagement strategy
Co-develop meaningful content and education for both sides of the industry
Act as a feedback loop between planners and partners
Elevate the overall business value CanSPEP offers to its members and stakeholders

We created the BAAC to ensure our Business Associate members have a voice—and a seat at the table—while staying true to our mission of supporting the entrepreneurial event planner.

Business Associate Advisory Council 2025

CanSPEP continuously builds connections within the industry. We invite expertise and input from partners and suppliers through our Business Associate Advisory Council (BAAC). BAAC members share best practices and knowledge that enhance our educational offerings, strengthen sponsorship opportunities and relationships while providing support for CanSPEP’s growth objectives.

Robert Thompson

Vice President Sales/Partner AV-CANADA Inc.

Robert is passionate about innovation and delivering quality products for events. As Managing Partner of AV-CANADA Inc., his ...

Bradley Styba

Manager, Business development Tourism Burnaby

Bradley Styba is an experienced professional in the events and hospitality industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Education ...

Karen Doucet

Sales Manager, Destination Moncton-Dieppe

Karen joined the team at Destination Moncton-Dieppe in 2022, bringing with her a longstanding commitment to the business events ...

Helen Bird

Account Manager, Convention Sales, Shaw Centre

Helen has worked in the hospitality industry for most of her professional life. To kick start her career, she gained employment with Westin Ottawa, where ...

Krista Cameron, DES

Vice President, Industry Relations and Business Development, Canada Encore Canada

Krista has been in the M&C industry for 27 years and excitedly joined the Encore Canada team ...

Orest Gawdyda

Manager, Business Development Events Regina Business

Orest is the Manager of Business Development with Events Regina Business, an affiliate of the Regina Hotel Association. He was born and raised ...

Krista Sidhu

Sales Manager, Inn at Laurel Point

Krista is a seasoned sales professional proudly representing the stunning Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, BC. She is dedicated to helping ...

Ted Robinson

Business Events Specialist, Tourism Kingston

Ted manages the business events portfolio at Tourism Kingston and thrives on creating one-of-a-kind event experiences for meeting and conference ...

Lori Lopez

Manager, Business Development (Eastern Market), Tourism Richmond

After 20+ years on the client side with a national sport association, Lori joined the Tourism ...