In the realm of event planning, Hailey Dawood is more than just a leader; she’s an innovator and a visionary. Winning Event Professional of the Year in 2023 was a career highlight and a moment of profound affirmation from her peers in the Canadian Special Events community. For Hailey, this accolade represented recognition and a renewed commitment to elevate the industry she loves.
A deep-seated curiosity about people drives Hailey’s ethos – what drives them, inspires them, and, most importantly, how she can help them succeed. This fascination with human behaviour steered her towards a marketing degree focused on consumer behaviour, which later became the cornerstone of her success at The Idea Hunter. She views her role as a business leader, a connector and an educator, striving to align deep-seated client needs with innovative event solutions.
” I’m captivated by athletes, CEOs, and individuals who epitomize top-tier performance.
Having gotten to know Hailey as a friend and colleague, I was thrilled to sit down with her to discuss her career trajectory, explore her insights into business innovation, and discover her secret to the steely determination that drives her to excel.
SW: OK, firstly, Hailey, you have a will of steel. You are constantly evolving, setting and then crushing your goals; where does that come from, and what’s your driver?
HD: At my core, I’m driven by understanding people – their actions, motivations, and even what songs they sing in the shower. This curiosity guides my approach, not just in connecting with people but also in educating them.
Personally, I’m driven by the idea of peak performance living. I love fitness, pushing my body and sharpening my mind to continue climbing bigger mountains. I am someone who has always enjoyed competing against myself. This fascination for elite performance led me to start the ‘Neon Peak’ podcast during the pandemic (on hiatus, but I plan to bring it back). I’m captivated by athletes, CEOs, and people who epitomize top-tier performance. The notion that we can continuously evolve and enhance ourselves fuels my passion.
This philosophy extends into my approach to leadership at The Idea Hunter. I see myself as a team coach, always seeking improvement areas. It’s not just about excelling at work; it’s about enriching lives and chasing dreams. While I set high standards, I do it with empathy, compassion, and care. My aim is to assist everyone in reaching their peak potential, metaphorically helping them ascend to the summit of their personal ‘mountain of success’.
SW: Your trajectory has been epic, culminating in winning Event Professional of the Year after not too long into your event journey. Could you share how you started in the event industry and the momentum you’ve built?
HD: My entry into the event industry was somewhat accidental. After a restructuring left me jobless at General Mills, I turned to my mom, Janice Cardinale, the founder of The Idea Hunter, to keep busy while figuring out my next steps. But destiny had different plans. As soon as I started working with her, I knew this was where I needed to be; this was the first role since university that felt like it fit, that I was excelling, and honestly, it was a relief after 3 years of trying to make different jobs work.
I knew next to nothing about events, so I had a steep learning curve. I soaked up knowledge like a sponge, learning everything I could by sitting beside my mom and emulating her every move, showing up and tackling every challenge one at a time. My corporate experience quickly became invaluable as we merged my skills with my mom’s expertise, and the outcome was astounding – our company grew fourfold within five years.
It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. I had to work hard to earn my place in this industry. Despite the formidable challenges and without actual ownership, I adopted an owner’s mindset from the start, treating each day with the same care and dedication as any owner. I firmly believe this mindset transformed into reality.
SW: Reflecting on the major projects you’ve managed, how have these experiences shaped your journey and approach to events?
HD: Reflecting on my numerous impactful projects, I often revisit the early ones. These were fresh challenges, new frontiers to conquer. They demanded everything I had massive passion, perseverance, and grit. They were the proving ground, and overcoming the hurdles was a testament to hard work and a commitment to both client and personal expectations.
MAC Cosmetics – Cross Canada Store Activations marked the genesis of The Idea Hunter’s evolution into a nationwide entertainment provider transcending its Toronto origins.
West Jet Sherway Gardens Activation – with Charlie And Sprocket, one of my first experiences working in extensive entertainment production.
It was in this adrenaline-fueled environment I discovered my knack for managing teams under high-stress circumstances.
YPO Toronto Conference – with Moniker Partners. Being entrusted with the entertainment for a huge three-day conference was a turning point. We poured our hearts into it and won the Conference of the Year award at the Canadian Event Awards, which was a tremendous confidence booster.
SW: What has been your career’s biggest challenge and learning with TIH?
HD: The pandemic – full stop. We let go of our team and office and had to rebuild from scratch. During this period, I purchased The Idea Hunter from my mom, adding to the pressure but also fueling my determination to recover.
The nonstop effort led to burnout, weight loss, and anxiety. This tough time enhanced my empathy and leadership, helping me foster a company culture focused on mental well-being.
SW: You talk a lot about resilience and strength. What strategies or mindsets have you found essential in maintaining your competitive edge?
HD: I attribute my resilience to three key mindsets: Unemotional Adaptability, Embracing Change, and Embracing Failure. During the pandemic, for example, I had to detach emotionally from traditional ways of hosting events, focusing instead on how best to assist our clients. Embracing change is crucial; it’s a natural part of evolution, and resisting it only holds us back. By embracing it, I could seize new opportunities and grow. Lastly, embracing failure meant acknowledging my beginner status and being open to rapid learning. 2020 was all about experimentation and adjustment, which prepared me well for the future expectations of our clients. Each of these experiences shaped my outlook and reinforced my resilience.
“When envisioning the production of our entertainment, I immerse myself in the event’s space, visualizing flow of the experience.”
SW: So, let’s talk events. What’s your event planning philosophy?
HD: My philosophy is deeply rooted in understanding the core objectives of each project. Drawing from my background in consumer behaviour and marketing insights, I start by dissecting the fundamental purpose behind each event. What drives this event? What emotions or messages should it convey? This understanding is critical before choosing the right entertainment or thematic elements.
When planning, I visualize the event space, and the experience flow to ensure seamless integration of all elements. Collaboration is also a cornerstone of my approach. I prioritize working with people who treat others well and share a vision of mutual respect and creativity.
SW: What sets The Idea Hunter apart?
HD: What differentiates us is our flexible service model, which we call our ‘Idea Menu.’ It allows clients to pick exactly what they need, whether that’s a single DJ or a full event management team. With almost 500 options, we truly have something for everyone. What keeps clients coming back is our commitment to exceptional service, our responsive communication, and, of course, trust is paramount in our relationships; our clients know that if we say something will be done, it will be done.
SW: Who inspires you?
HD: First and foremost, my mom, Janice Cardinale. She embodies spontaneity and empowerment, a force to be reckoned with in any room. She has been a steadfast cheerleader throughout, and I’m forever thankful for the world she built at The Idea Hunter and the opportunity she gave me to be a part of it. Also, Amanda LeGresley, one of our initial team members, was a design virtuoso and an incredible teacher. And my husband, Fadi Dawood. His confidence in me fuels me every day. He has been by my side since the very beginning and I am forever grateful to him and lucky to now have him working with me on the strategic growth of The Idea Hunter.
SW: Looking ahead, what excites you, and what can we expect from the Idea Hunter?
HD: The future of events is incredibly exciting. The Idea Hunter is expanding into new markets and continuing to evolve our offerings to include the latest tech and creative concepts. Our goal is to grow into a larger entity that not only represents but also supports a wide array of talented artists and delivers an increasing number of unforgettable events. Like most business owners, we want to keep growing and finding new opportunities to make an even bigger impact. So keep following The Idea Hunter because we have lots more growth ahead of us!
Hailey Dawood’s journey is not just about managing logistics or coordinating entertainment – it’s about creating moments that resonate deeply with people, fostering connections, and building a business that continually seeks to innovate and inspire. She is constantly evolving, growing, learning and elevating a better version of herself every day; the impact she has on those around her matters, and she emulates that in everything she does.
To Learn More About Hailey Dawood and The Idea Hunter, check out their social media platforms and website theideahunter.ca.
