July 10, 1996
Founder Fox calls a meeting to form Canadian Independent Meeting Professionals (CIMP) (10 entrepreneurs attend). Those 10 enterpreneurs discussed their unique challenges for the first time, including growing your business, insurance, contracts, forming alliances, and more.

First meeting held at the Westin Harbour Castle (24 planners attend)
Developed Mission Statement: “to promote support and education to independent meeting and event planners and create public awareness around our profession: Slogan: Promoting Professionalism, Creating Awareness”
Joy Fox installed as first president

September 1997
CIMP officially becomes Independent Meeting Planners Association of Canada (IMPAC)
First AGM takes place, electing 1997/1998 officers

October 1997
First Conference takes place at Grandview
First-annual-conference

January 1998
“The Independent” Newsletter first published

October 1999
3rd Conference at Muskoka Sands
Working group was created to develop a Code of Ethics

2007
IMPAC Rebranded as Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP)

2009
CanSPEP becomes one of the founding members of the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada (BEICC)

Present Day
Our members continue to dedicate themselves to the event industry at-large. Strategic, creative, and client-focused, CanSPEP members are at the forefront of industry change, sitting on several boards, working groups, and speaking at many events.

CanSPEP continues to support the entrepreneurial event professional, and encourages business relationships with the events community at large.