Articles Archives - Montreal Event Planner

More Celebrations

August 2024September 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

Close-up of multi coloured confetti flying mid-air against black background.

August this year so we got together to celebrated Gabby my wonderful niece, her birthday, and OMG she’s now in her 20’s where does time go??? Also, we Hubby and I celebrated our 38^th wedding anniversary!!!! Now whenever I say it out-loud I realize that it is a long, long long time and to me it doesn’t feel like it. To add to the fun, we went out with my niece and nephew for an overdue outing with them … We saw one of the shows Cirque du Soleil puts on every year….

OUFFFFF, I don’t know where the time goes but I do know it gooooooossss.

Why I called it a ’more celebrations’ month is because as I mentioned there was personal celebrations … but also professional ones.

The school summer session wrapped up. And by fluke of life this gave me the opportunity to fly out to Toronto and Las Vegas within the same week… both destinations were for conferences one was the annual CMEE conference every year in Toronto where all the Canadians in our industry gather to network and celebrate each other…. and then mid week I ended up going to Las Vegas for the other conference and more exciting a Gala called Smart Women Awards, where I was one of the many women receiving an award … my category was for Entrepreneur of the year. Snazzy I would say… WOWZERS what an honor… (especially a Canadian Woman winning in the US Market … ceiling broken) BOOMMMMMM !!! What a whirlwind of a trip it was. Came back exhilarated but exhausted ….

Once back right away it was back to reality and work work work … School’s fall session orientation for the teachers at the college. And my clients upcoming events/programs for the fall + winter seasons too. OUFFF what a whirlwind comeback.

Yes, I know I don’t talk about my events a lot because this summer I usually am not busy. With events, I’m usually doing the wrap up paperwork preparation logistics wise in the paperwork situation so does not know events being executed. It starts usually mid to end of September, October, November, December, January, February. March. And then it stops in April again. May maybe, but very rare.

And that’s August. Looking forward to September, it’s going to be another BIG MONTH. Stay tuned…

Month of Celebrations

July 2024September 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

Boy, the summer is flying by fast without the great hot summer weather – it’s been raining I guess it’s always better than snow.

The summer session at school is going on strong and I have another FULL schedule and yup everything is coming along smoothly. I’ve said it before and will say it again …I truly have a lot of respect for my students, they are just WOW … you see 99.99% are international students and I’m sure they are struggling being in a new country with all the culture shock … and yet are managing to do everything. Hats off to them WOWZERS!!!

This month usually means there’s a lot of birthday celebrations. It starts with my mom’s birthday, then my brother’s and then throw in a mix, of friends. This is a GREAT excuse to get together.

My brother had a surprise-ish birthday party with all his friends and family. It was a milestone birthday he turned 50… then came my mom’s and we got together with the Caputo clan and lastly but not least we celebrated my niece Ariana who turned 15 on the Paduano side of the family. It’s always nice to get together with family.

The end of the month, everything starting to wrap up; When I say everything, I mean summer school session; all has come to a close with final exams – final projects and for my Event/Meeting Planning it is the summer, so it is quiet for a change. (my corporate clients are off on their own vacations with their families)

Which means I have a little bit of time to spend with friends and family work on other personal stuff, which is nice for a change.

Ciao for now – see you all in August …

June lightspeed force

June 2024August 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

Like I mentioned in May the school summer session started and so far, sooo good, I’m really enjoying these Business Management students. Love them because there is an aura about them that impresses me continuously.

During this period had the opportunity to travel and scout out Egypt. Yes, Egypt and what an adventure that was. To start it is a GREAT destination with fantastic and iconic experiences. I strongly, strongly suggested you put it on your bucket list. However, please hire a certified guide or Tour Operator. Not because it’s dangerous, not all, it’s just a better option for logistical convenience. There is sooo much to do and see that if you don’t do this you may miss out on some treasures. Being such an exotic destination one can easily get wrapped up in the moments that you can miss out on other. Just trust me it is convenient. Egypt, well me tell you it is another world, and the heat was BALMING. For example, some of the days started at 50° in the early morning. So, you can imagine how hot it was the rest of the day. Having said this, it was sublime experience; the temples – pyramids – sphynx what awesomeness to be in the presence … one is just gobsmacked at the wonder creations before them at every visit… when there in front of these artifacts, you keep thinking how they did this back then?!?!?!?! I mean the temples were not only fabulous but build to perfection. What a mystery this is and not to forget those pyramids and sphinx WHAT !!!!!

Many still have strong opinions on how it was built without any sort of mechanical machineries. It would be hard today, so, imagine back then when it was simply human power (or was it- wink wink). Anyways, the great debates/mysteries continue amongst us the people. 😊

Thank the lord for technology … I was able to do the classes online that week due to the time difference. So no one missed a beat .. technology at times is a god sent.

Click here to look at the PDF Dragon Den here

That basically wraps my month between classes and my Egypt adventure …. enjoy the pictures…

We’ll catch up in July….

Lots of movements at all levels

May 2024August 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

This month was the end of the Spring Session at College Lasalle. MY work did not stop there then there is the process of correcting all the projects and final exams… (it was quite a task – but all got done in time)

The ‘wonderfulness’ of all this as a teacher is when you spontaneously receive a appreciation note written by one of your students .. WOWZERS – I cannot express to you how it helps me move forward, not that I don’t enjoy it but a written note from a student is AWESOMENESS to the MAX…

Click here to take a look at the PDF letter

Once all was entered and submitted, we headed off to Florida. You see originally, I was supposed to go alone for a week with a mission to ‘finalize’ the purging and cleaning of all things in the condo. This is due to my parents decided to sell it after owning it over a decade… (for me it was kind of bittersweet moment)

As stated, I was to go alone, however, my wonderful hubby ended up coming along which was really great cause we can accomplish TONS in a shorter amount of time… once all the packing and purging was accomplished (basically in a few days)… we turned it into a vacation and enjoyed it for one last time… was great and I soooooo needed the break. Truth be told I was saddened by the thought of them selling it, but it is what it is, it was spot. Being a few decades younger we would have bought it but at this point in our lives we decided to over come our temptation and just enjoy it one last time…. The plan is to travel more, with no commitments, and owning anything is a commitment.

When these intervals happen between sessions, I do my best to grab the time to take vacation if possible and if I don’t have any client programs/events going on at the same time.

Moving forward, after the two weeks break, we came back, went straight into the day-to-day work mode. Attended an industry info session, started the Summer Session at the college. And Tony helped his brother with the landscaping work. We also, squeezed in a few milestone birthday celebrations including friends and family.

Going back on the session during the summer, it is extremely quiet (very weird for me). I usually go average of two or three days a week. This summer it’s, every day. What an adjustment it was and there is a TON of changes coming this Fall … meaning building construction, rebuilding, renovating at the school and an INFLUX of students this coming September, which is good for everyone. This is progress/evolution… stay tuned.

That’s basically my month. June will be another exciting/action packed month. Can’t wait to share.

We sprang into spring

April 2024August 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

April was another month of action-packed. Had a mini-High school reunion, which we haven’t done in awhile.

Began wrapping up the winter session at the college. and was able to ‘squeeze’ in inspirational Business speakers to come speak to my business students and hopefully help inspire them in the business world.

Our friends from the Dominican Republic sent us a nice little note of the ongoing shenanigans there they are sooooo much fun. Nice and inspiring to see people having fun and having no care in the world.

We also went out a few times with friends of ours. It nice to catch up and to change the pace. We also went to a fundraiser organized by “Friends 4 Cause”. All the benefits go to an awesome charity focused on Autism.

Since we wrapped up the winter session at school had a few weeks break so we took advantage and went to my parent’s condo in Florida. By doing so we killed tow birds with one stone; took time off and finalized the wrapping/cleaning up of the condo items left. Did this to get it place ready for future buyers. There were bittersweet moments, but it is what it is.

May here we come!!!

March Came & Went

March 2024July 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

Picked up the snowbirds (my parents) from the airport. As per usual the looked great that kind of weather looks good on them – alas it looks like it’s going to be the last year for them going down south in an extended period … traveling seems to be too much for them now. They’ve mentioned it is getting tougher and tougher for them to travel … it seems that it takes longer and longer for them to re-coop back to normal, it’s become quite cumbersome as of late. It’s too bad, but it is what it is, and it will happen to all of us. They did announce to us that they’re putting their Florida condo for sale, so it’s kind of the finally for them.

Due to different circumstances, like timing and other situations, we finally got to celebrate my husband’s February birthday in March.

Speaking of birthdays, we started putting the planning of my big day into full gear. I’m reaching a milestone and hubby wants to (or should I say insists) to celebrate me. My birthday is in September, and Tony insists to throw a party, so we’ll do it, but I really don’t feel the need for this – I’m happy just having an intimate celebration and escaping somewhere warm ….

Arianna my niece on my husband’s side, it’s not doing very well. Her situation is not good to the point she has been hospitalised, due to her autism diagnosis and is now being monitored by the specialists. (more about this later… once we know more…)

Great surprise I was awarded a Woman Entrepreneurship Award from the organization called Smart Women in Business!!! WOWZERS this is very prestigious award. Even though this organization recognizes several of us in each category it is a wonderful thing. You know it’s nice to be recognized.

Easter came and we celebrated with our respective families. We hosted everybody. And FULLY enjoyed it. It’s nice to have the family together, really, really nice. For me it’s a warm and fuzzy feeling, to see my peeps and to catch up them. Family is important to me, very important.

That’s all folks, see you next month …

Cabarete Life

February 2024August 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

A month has gone by, and no one yet hired to do the logistics work I came down to the DR to do …

Not a bad gig – however, I am beginning to miss home … ‘living’ and working in Cabarete was quite educational for me… in a GREAT way!! Even though I worked approx. 30-40 hours a week in paradise. I still was able to get a glimpse of regular life there.

WOW it is quite eye opening. Example, we could have taken advantage of the restaurants and the all-inclusive buffets nearby. However, we opted to do our own grocery shopping and prepare our meals as we would back home…. We figured why not adapt to the day-to-day life there.

It was great and hubby found himself in his element. He basically ‘took over’ the day-to-day things while I was busy working … This scenario/situation was great for me (and him) cause after a full day’s work – I wanted to just chill, and it kept hubby busy.

Even though my work was not physical demanding it was mentally draining … this is due to getting used to all this newness around me and to boot teaching online. So not having that extra responsibility was FABULOUS !!! It basically made the transition easy for me in immersing myself to the day-to-day life of working in Cabarete.

I did manage to ‘steal’ some time for me. We went for early morning walks along the beaches before my day started. I took advantage of this as much as possible. What surprised me the most was how many fellow Quebecers I encountered there?!?!?! (they seem to be everywhere lately)

To my surprise there where many expats; Canadians folks from Ontario, Winnipeg, Newfoundland. Also, from Europe, Italy, Germany to name a few.

All fantastic joyful people. Of course, they are joyful!!! Who wouldn’t be they are retired and living their dream in the Caribbean !!! What else can one ask for?

Ok back to work see you in March. Hopefully I’ll be back to my own reality by then.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!

January 2024July 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

Hope you all had great festivities, much Family time and of course tons of food.

This time of the year we all tend to get together and enjoy our close ones more that the usual time…

This January was not the case for us … parents in Florida (snowbirds).

The winter session began at College Lasalle.

Spontaneously, hubby and I went to Cabarete, Dominican Republic. I had to work and fill in for a 8 weeks on a project my team and I organized due to lack of manpower… (this ‘lacking of ‘ manpower thing seems to be the norm lately)

What can I say things happen and we just deal with it by making dew the BEST we can…

Don’t get me wrong we did spend time together with our respective families at Christmas and it was wonderful… it was just sudden and new to start 2024 in the DR without seeing them ….

Yes, we were in paradise. And yes, we took advantage full advantage of it … more my hubby than me – I worked 90% of the time… Not to bore you all with too much detail; due to labour shortage in the DR with my DMC (event partner/supplier), they lost a key employee and couldn’t find someone to do the logistics in time for our clients 8-week Incentive Road Show Program. So, I needed to step in while the search went on ….

It was beautiful location they set us up in a wonderful Airbnb (my first time experiencing this) and it was paradise … Only difference was worked 7days a week, all most 14hour days for my client’s incentive program and then in between I taught my business program classes online… God bless my students and their patience with this situation.

Small price to pay but all worked out fine (except I was exhausted after the 8week gig…) Like some one said, “the show must go on!!!” 😊

No complaints, however, what an experience it was it being so last minute. This is when you learn how resilient one can be. Because sometimes one has to do with one has to do.

So once again I wanted to wish everyone a VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, all the BEST in HEALTH and LOVE and of course NEW ADVENTURES.

See you in February

Happy Holidays to all

December 2023January 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

This month was usually calm. While the typical holiday periods my client’s holiday parties are in full swing and over the top this year was extremely quiet. Wondering if it is a sign of the coming year? In the meantime, I took a well-deserved R&R did absolutely nothing for a change.

However even though I did not organise client events this meant I was able to (finally 😝) attend all the Holiday parties I got invited to … it’s nice to be a guest for a change…

And boy did I celebrate from my networking groups – supplier’s annual ‘thank you for your business parties and the school’s staff party. I got my fill and love it… CHEERS !!!

This year, winter started with a BANG …. 1^st snowstorm of almost 30cm it’s been a cold wake up call. Having said this it ended up we had a ‘brown’ Xmas no snow and it doesn’t’ look like we will get any of that white stuff till maybe mid January.

I do tons of ‘catching up’ on my selfcare I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. It was very very cathartic.

The second half of December became a little busy with the corrections of exam and tying up loose ends with all the aspects on the professional and teaching side of 2023. I’m now working/preparing for January. And it’s going to be an exceptionally different kind of month. But I’ll tell you about it once I’m there.

Meanwhile as I celebrated with my small FAMIGLIA the holidays, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a VERY MERRY XMAS & a VERY VERY HEALTHY WEALTHY NEW YEAR!! Xoxo ❤ ❤

See you all in 2024. 😊

Wrapping things Up

November 2023January 2024 in Articles

0 Comments

What a month, of November it was.

Wrapped up a weeklong client conference… YES it was a success. I cannot take the credit for it alone … the TEAM I worked with helped TONS… they are the ROCK STARS – I’m speaking of the suppliers, without them can’t do much….

Attended another great educational conference this time here in Montreal. Love to continue my education on my industry… there is so much innovation coming and some here already … the hard part is the minute we think we got it, and we are ahead of things BAM there is something new to learn again. It is great but it also moves uber fast too that one head can spin quickly… Thanks to technology and innovation….

More meetings with my regular clients and potential suppliers. The landscape of my industry has changed soooooo much since COVID …. It’s almost like starting over and over and over again … I’m not complaining it’s just a much faster pace with short lead times … BIG adjustments in organizing these events are changing by leaps and bonds and it’s an adjustment for the suppliers too …. I guess it’s a sign of the times.

For the school front, ended up inheriting a new class (midway through the session) class content is easy but not pleasant for the students I’m sure … I became their 3^rd teacher within 8weeks …. Too boot it’s online even more difficult (very impersonal). Moving forward tweaked and worked on midterms plus the final projects for this session… Boy it’s a lot of work however I truly truly love this sharing and educating our future workforce &/or entrepreneurs and am always humbled when they share their appreciation back … YES, I still aspire to inspire…

On a personal front continued our get-together with friends and colleagues for the holidays – it’s nice to catch up with folks before we delve into our Holiday stuff with our families… we had the honor of attending one of our good friend’s 1^st grandchild’s baptism. Speaking of family, I helped get things done for my parents annual ‘snow-birding’ adventure in Florida.

See you next month…. 😊

Montréal, Québec

Call us anytime

514-212-5549

More Celebrations

Month of Celebrations

June lightspeed force

Lots of movements at all levels

We sprang into spring

March Came & Went

Cabarete Life

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!

Happy Holidays to all

Wrapping things Up