What started as a bold, overdue conversation at CSE Live 2025 has evolved into something much bigger—a national movement to drive real, long-term change in the Canadian events industry.
The idea was born during “The Event Industry Revolution: Shaping the Future of Events in Canada”—a landmark panel that brought together planners, suppliers, educators, and venue professionals for a raw, transparent dialogue about the challenges we face and the future we want to create (Read the White Paper).
We talked openly about the broken RFP process, the prevalence of unpaid creative work, and the hidden commissions that erode trust and value across the supply chain. Then we asked the question that changed everything: What would it look like to build something better, together?
That conversation sparked a shift. It became a white paper. It formed a working group. And now, it’s become something more: The Business of Events.
What Is the Business of Events?
The Business of Events is not a company or governing body. It’s a grassroots-led, industry-driven initiative focused on co-creating a healthier, more ethical, and more sustainable events ecosystem in Canada.
At its core, this is a collective space for meaningful conversation and strategic action. Our goals are rooted in leadership, ethics, compensation, education, and community wellness. The initiative brings together professionals from all corners of the industry to tackle the systemic issues that hold us back and to reimagine how we move forward.
Why Now?
Canada’s event industry is part of a $3.6 trillion global sector, yet it continues to face significant challenges. Practices are fragmented. Representation is limited. Compensation systems are outdated. And perhaps most urgently, burnout and mental health issues are widespread and under-addressed.
We are seeing seasoned professionals quietly leave the industry after years of being undervalued. At the same time, new talent is entering without clear pathways, education, or support.
The Business of Events aims to change that narrative. This is about bridging the gaps—with leadership that listens and solutions that are built to last.
What We’re Building
This initiative is not just talk—it’s action. We’ve launched a series of focused working groups across the country, each contributing to the development of core resources and standards. These include:
- A shared Code of Ethics and Fair Practices
- Clear and adaptable tools for pricing transparency
- Support networks for independent planners, suppliers, and producers
- Recommendations for education reform and new mentorship models
- A living, evolving Event Industry Manifesto
This is just the beginning, but the work is already well underway. The inaugural working group includes respected leaders who bring deep experience and heart to the process.
Together, we are not just shaping the direction—we are committed to listening to the industry and ensuring that what we build reflects the needs of the broader community.
How to Get Involved
If you’re a planner, producer, creative, technician, supplier, venue, educator—or simply someone who believes the Canadian events industry can and should do better—there’s a place for you here.
We’re welcoming new voices to:
- Join working groups and collaborative sessions
- Act as a sounding board for evolving ideas and proposals
- Provide feedback, share experiences, and shape solutions
- Participate in live events and online forums that foster real dialogue
Join the Conversation
We’ve created two digital spaces for ongoing discussion, collaboration, and community-building:
- Discord – Our real-time hub for chats, events, working groups, and resource sharing.
🔗 Click here to join the Discord - LinkedIn Group – A professional space to stay connected between meetings, share updates, and explore ideas with peers across the industry.
🔗 Click here to join the LinkedIn Group - White Paper – The White Paper included the findings report from the Business of Events Forum at CSE Live 2025.
🔗 Click here to read the White Paper
The Business of Events is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. We believe the future of our industry doesn’t belong to one person, one association or one company. It belongs to all of us. And the way forward begins with how we work, how we lead, and how we treat each other.
If you’re ready to help shape a stronger, more equitable, and more sustainable event industry in Canada, we invite you to join this movement.