By: Julie Danaylov & Kenn Kristoffersen. With Contributions From: Ruth Moyte, Steve Kemble, Andrea Michaels, Corinne Zane Dudine
“I am at peace with my life” and she closed her eyes and left.
True to form, the legendary entertainment mogul Debbie Meyers CSEP, CTEP made her final curtain call with grace & honour as she departed this earthly world earlier this year.
While here, her influence on the global events profession was profound. Her expansiveness was boundless, like her heart, and so in the season of giving, we couldn’t think of a better human to highlight because Debbie Meyers embodied the spirit of generosity year-round.
Those who knew & loved her have countless stories to share. We’ve compiled some here so that you too could glimpse the woman behind the curtain. She was able to “make the magic happen” in her business but also in life for all the people she would meet.
Debbie was the consummate volunteer, always giving generously of her time and expertise to the industry, her colleagues, and those in need. From her local ILEA chapter to international committees, the SEARCH Foundation, and TSE Advisory Boards, she was deeply committed to giving back. Her dedication extended beyond the event industry, as she was also actively involved in Entertainment Associations and played a significant role in her church community.
In one of her many visits to the Great White North, Debbie travelled to Toronto in 2012 to speak to the ILEA Toronto chapter on “How to Submit Award-Winning Entries,” a topic she was expertly qualified to discuss as a recipient of countless accolades within the industry. Though she hailed from Texas, Debbie was passionate about building relationships and supporting the growth of event professionals across Canada, always offering her expertise to elevate our industry.
Some of the most important takeaways included:
“Be generous with your colleagues and pay it forward.” Debbie immediately accepted the invitation to speak and made herself available as the first speaker of the season, asking simply, “How can I help?” This kind of enthusiasm and generosity is so rare.
“Become a master communicator and use humour whenever possible. The photos from the session capture attendees laughing uproariously. Debbie’s wit was unmatched, and she knew how to connect with her audience through humour.
“If you want to win awards for your work, support others so they can win too.” Debbie was true to her word”.
And she was as demonstrated by her countless support of others as they entered event awards. The list of lessons from Debbie is truly endless.
Sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Debbie’s entire family – blood and otherwise, on this monumental loss. There is no question she will live on in our hearts forever.
So that Debbie’s legacy can live on, we invite you to contribute your stories, memories and photographs.
Simply USE THIS FORM and your memories will be added to this page as they are received. Thank you, we hope you enjoy these memories from some of her dearest friends.
DEBBIE MEYERS MEMORY PAGE
Steve Kemble
The world is a better place because Debbie Meyers was in it. She filled all of her life with happiness, artistic expression and of course a deep love for music.
Debbie’s boldness and bravery touched us all. She displayed remarkable resilience, not only in overcoming her challenges, but also in her ability to inspire and support others. She taught us the importance of courage, curiosity, and embracing the journey that life presents. Debbie’s presence may no longer be with us, but the legacy of her adventurous spirit will forever light our way. Personally, she taught me how to transform challenges into inspiring lessons of hope and determination. Her life lessons were truly remarkable and something I will always treasure.
Ruth E. Moyté
Deb and I met at the TSE Advisory Board when we were judging the Special Event Gala Award entries – way back when we were both about 29 and holding. We hit it off, and from that moment on, we were sister-friends. Quiet generosity was second nature to Deb, but I didn’t measure it in gifts (and there were those too), but in the time she gave me so freely. Whether it was a long conversation over coffee (or something else), a late-night phone call, or simply sitting with me in silence, she made me feel like I was the important person at that moment. I think she did that with all the people she loved – she treasured us. She encouraged, mentored, prodded, poked fun, and even made me mad sometimes, but Deb loved hard, hurt hard and forgave hard. She was all in and authentic 100 percent of the time – and that’s just my kind of person. So, my story of Deb’s generosity is about the most expensive gift she could have given me or anybody she invested herself in. You just don’t find people who are willing to extend themselves to people in the way that she did. I can’t think of anything more right now that I would rather have than just a little more time with her – and I know she’d extend it to me if she were here. That’s just the generous soul that she was.
Corinne Zane Dudine
Debbie was a huge supporter of the SEARCH Foundation from its inception in 1997. She worked tirelessly as a SEARCH Board member and was a constant cheerleader, fundraiser and Ambassador for the Foundation.
Debbie suggested I go to work for the SEARCH Foundation when they were looking for an Administrator back in 2007. She set me on my path with this wonderful Foundation that has become near and dear to my heart. Debbie embodied the spirit of SEARCH and we are forever grateful to her.
Andrea Michaels
There was only one; there will ever only be one. Debbie Meyers was a unique individual, smart, sassy, and often inappropriate in the most kindhearted and loving of ways. She had a large personality and an even larger heart. She cared about friends, and everyone was a potential friend. I knew Deb as a friend, a confidante, through her friendships with others, and in business. She was a savvy businesswoman, and a creative individual, but her truest strength and attribute was her loyalty to people she cared about, and she cared about everyone.
We had much in common, both in our choice of career, and in our issues, with men, and with health, not to mention the things that come along with owning your own business…you know, like clients and employees. A fond memory is when she was in charge of The Steve Kemble Leadership Award and luncheon, and I was that year’s recipient, except that it was supposed to be a surprise. It was up to my son, Jon, and my friend, John Daly, to make sure I was at that luncheon and not let me know why. For some reason, I kept refusing to go because there was something else I needed to do. Finally, Jon gave it up and told me but insisted I act surprised. Maybe the fact that I dolled myself up for that luncheon could have given it away, but I did my best to act shocked and I think I carried it off. Sorry, Deb, it wasn’t a surprise and I never told you that. I was honoured by the award, and you presented it to me. So everyone who reads this and now knows my secret….shhhhh….I know she can hear you.
Deb knew I had cancer and I knew she did, too. Initially we could commiserate, until hers took a turn and I realized that I couldn’t ever be able to understand what she faced every day. She was brave; she was a fighter and she was way too young to be defeated by an opponent that had no mercy.
We all loved her, flaws and all…and don’t we all have them? We will remember her as a humanitarian, a leader, a force to be reckoned with. There will never be another and we will miss her.
Kenn Kristoffersen
In 2007, I ended up in the hospital for almost a year. Slowly dying as they tried to figure out what was wrong with me. My company was producing a huge corporate milestone event. Hanan, our Event Producer was so talented and smart, however, she had never produced an event this big or this layered. Completely unsolicited, Debbie stepped in (from Texas) took Hanan (all the way across and up in Calgary) under her wing and mentored her, guiding her and supporting the rest of the team for a year. To this day, I laugh out loud when I think of the first day that the client met Debbie. The photo below shows Hanan and Debbie accepting the award for Best Event Produced for a Corporation in the World. It was their moment and my pride for those two and what they achieved together was immense.
