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Action Packed

April 2021December 2022 in Articles

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April was an action-packed month virtually speaking, of course.

Hello Y’all … how are you guys doing?

Myself? I am ‘living the dream’, yup being a tad sarcastic, considering the situation we are in collectively. However, I am aware things can be sooo much worse.

As mentioned above, it has been quite an action-packed month. Starting with Easter celebrations extremely sparse socially distanced …so it is safe to say that it was not your typical traditional Easter at the Caputo / Paduano household. It is quite frustrating, but it is what it is. Eventually we will get back to whatever the new normal will be.

The second week of April was time for my seasonal Tire Change

Then was invited to be on a panel discussion for the annual conference called THE EVENT their was a segment that was all about the certifications we have attained over the years and its importance. It was appropriately named; “Alphabet Soup” it is in reference to the bunch of letters next to our names (also known as acronyms). Which basically represents our blood sweat and tears we worked towards for our beloved industry.

the-event-color-sheet-for-vaughan-tourism-daniela-caputo-1-1

Then there was a travel trade conference called Luxury Expo yes of course it was done virtually. This is great because we are trying to stay in touch and slowly to rebuilding/hanging on to our contacts/contracts that are in-limbo in our devastated industry. This trade show covered the destinations like: India – Greece – New York – Middle East – Cambodia, to name a few. (GOD I MISS TRAVELING)

Was also interviewed by EventPros podcast “Personally Professional” to discuss my journey as a Planner and Entrepreneur, here is the link.

And here is the link to the written article on Contract in COVID times:

Went on a “2 day” virtual FAM tour with the gracious invitation from Tourism Kelowna. WOWZER, we got tons of gifts from their world-renowned vineyards. Needless to say, it was educational, and we had a nice array of wine tastings. ChinChin!!

As if that wasn’t enough, I also took part of a fun fun Team Building activity … cookie decorating virtual context – here are the pictures you be the judge!?!

At Lasalle the winter session has wrapped up and so has the final exam corrections. Surprisingly enough, in the midst of all this, I was asked to be a Guest Speaker for two classes … pretty exciting. Because I actually got to school and do it in front of the students live!!! Understand, we were not allowed to go to school since COIVD … So technically it has been a year since I’ve been physically there. WOW what a weird eerie feeling it was, and I realized how much I MISS it!!!

Like every year at this time, I am part of a judging panel for the Ottawa Wedding Awards like everything else, it is virtually done. Another thing I did is Mentoring several future aspiring entrepreneurs. LOVE this so much and love getting feedback for it too ASPIRE to INSPIRE!!

Good evening Daniela,
How are you?
Thank you so much for helping me throughout the whole entrepreneurship contest. You were always there for me. You were always responsive and willing to help. Thanks to your guidance, I received the second prize! I am extremely grateful, Daniela! It was my honor to have you as a coach.

I am working to continue Agence Flyless. I plan to apply to Lab culturel https://www.culturepourtous.ca/professionnels-de-la-culture/lab-culturel/cohorte-4/

But I need to find a partner who has Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Do you know anyone who would potentially collaborate with me? Maybe your students or somebody who participated in the entrepreneurship contest?

Thank you so much and have a great day,
Khanh

I am continuously keeping in touch with friends on a weekly basis. Regardless, if they are industry friends, or school friends, friends are that friends. (they keep you sane somehow)

On a personal note, I got my 1^st vaccine YAY!! Ballo, my fur baby, finally had his overdue SPA DAY, yes, I am still cooking tons, walking everyday for a few hours and basically, taking advantage/enjoying the much-needed Vitamin D.

The last week of April unfortunately my dad was hospitalised for his heart once again. He has arrythmia and required hospitalization. The Doctor request he stays there to help rectify this condition. (hoping it will be a short hospital stay). Side Note: the staff there are AWESOMENESS – due to COVID we cannot visit him, however, we can call and get updates … those nurses are wonderful!!

As you can read, April was jam packed considering COVID situation!! I don’t know what May will be like. Stay tuned, hope it will be good at least with the weather … speak soon guys love you thanks for reading!!!

Month of Firsts

March 2021December 2022 in Articles

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Month of Firsts

March has come and gone already, but it definitely is starting to feel like Spring!

My month was interesting, simply because I was constantly push out of my comfort zone. (which I enjoyed BTW) It started with an invite to host and emcee College Lasalle’s Student Entrepreneurial event – this is besides that I am already being a coach/mentor to them. Then, I was invited to contribute in a panel discussion on Industry certifications. Lastly was asked to partake in an interview on my Meeting Planner journey… All very flattering; feeling honored and humble to share and inspire… You see I enjoy being behind the scenes more. Again, was honored they actually thought of me.

out-of-comfort-daniela-ellevate-i-support-women-entrepreneurs

Regarding Meeting Planning work, I’ve had some inquiries for this, however, truth be told, not for now. You see I need to wait till our government gives us the go ahead to start and without that go ahead I feel I can’t do anything – c’est la vie! I am however, keeping up and networking within the industry… (yes, I’ve been zooming tons)

Have not stopped cooking and exploring new ideas there! Thankfully, I have also resumed my walking. I took a little hiatus from morning walk for winter because it was just too cold, but I’m back at it and it feels great!

On the covid vaccination side both my parents and hubby got their first round …. Can’t wait till it is my turn and all this is over!!!!!

I hope you all had a great, productive month of March. April is upon us and so is that warmer weather. Stay well and see you in a few weeks!

A LOVE-ly and busy February

February 2021December 2022 in Articles

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A LOVE-ly and busy February

Happy February to all my readers! I hope you have had a great, productive month, you stayed warm, and you had a LOVE-ly Valentine’s Day. We celebrated by ordering in some sushi. YUM YUM!!

I’m still teaching at College Lasalle even though my hours DRASTICALLY were reduced due to lack of student signing up for certain programs. Oh well this is my reality right now.

Speaking of teaching and loving it … I spontaneously got some student love – it’s nice to be appreciated…

Even though my teaching hours got cut, I am busy with special projects that the school requires help on. Because of this, I am pretty much keeping busy and to my surprise learning another type of hustle: Coaching our future entrepreneurs!! There is one thing I’ve come to realize during this pandemic – one never knows the opportunities that are out there, it just takes us to be opened enough to welcoming them, even though I do not know where this is heading. However, I do know these are great opportunities, and I am loving the journey!!

Then BOOM one day to my surprise, one of the committees I sit on asked if I’d partake in emceeing the virtual event we are working on? And of course, I accepted (I mean how cool is this!!)

This emceeing ties into the Global Student Entrepreneurship Contest we are currently coaching them on. It is an international competition, done every year, for up-and-coming young (student) Entrepreneurs and Lasalle College is one of the many colleges participating in this! FUN FUN FUN!!

A bit of background: this competition happens every year and to put it in perspective the approach is very much like the TV program Dragon’s Den &/or Shark’s Tank, only difference is at the collegial level. I’m excited and honored to have been through the process with them.

Speaking of emceeing – guess what… I was asked if would like to co-host an upcoming workshop for one of MPI Ottawa’s virtual events. And I did…

Come to think of it, mmmm, is the universe trying to tell me something??

Will my new hustle be emceeing? And or Coaching Entrepreneurs? Stay tuned….

Ok ok I digress… and as it has become the norm (for now). I have attending several virtual industry meetings. Yes, folks, I NEED to keep up with all the changes/transformations my industry is living right now. And of course, it is nice to re-connect with my industry peps from all over the world.

Small side note: normally these meetings are held at the actual destinations like Hawaii – Croatia – Cape Town – New York – Arizona – etc. you get the picture and since we cannot travel, it is now all done virtually…. (ohhhhhh how I miss traveling… sigh)

Yup, I’ve continued to cook and am now exploring new recipes – trying to get out of my comfort zone. With all the restraints happening we need to challenge ourselves at times.

And because February is a uber busy Birthday month for our families. We celebrated, at a distance, my Hubby – Nephew – Cousins and Uncles all via Zoom/Messenger.

On a personal note, I will share that I am starting to become a mush-brain… lol… BOY I can’t wait for spring so I can get out more and change the scene. I guess like most people, I’m just going through the motions and taking things day by day, yes, I am UBER UBER thankful and grateful with things right now… Because I am aware that it can be so much worse.

With this in mind I wrapped up the month with a WONDERFUL surprise from a ROCK STAR REMAX Real Estate Agent Salvatore Orfeo, you see, to thank me for a few referrals I sent over to him. I received a GOURMET DELISHOUSNESS of a gift basket … YUMMO…

Stay healthy and safe, my friends, and see you in March!

Welcoming in a New Year

January 2021December 2022 in Articles

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Welcoming in a New Year

Happy 2021 everyone! I know it was a strange 2020, so here’s hoping things only go up from here!

On January 1^st I got a cake and smashed it to “smash out” 2020. I don’t know if it worked (lol) and I’m not trying to be negative – I thought it was a fun way to welcome a New Year.

Luckily, this winter, my parents decided not to go to Florida… thank goodness! I think it’s safer that they stay here closer to us. I’m hoping (so are they) will get their vaccine first.

I started a new session at Lasalle College with the online school this month. However, the pandemic did and is hitting the school hard too. What I mean is that from March to Dec 2020 I was lucky enough to have 15hour week teaching schedule and as of January till Summer 2021 it was drastically reduced to 6hours a week…. OUCH indeed…. (I guess it could be worse). But on an brighter note I am getting involved with special projects the school has … for instance pedagogically speaking revamping classes and becoming a coach for the new Entrepreneurship program offered – fun fun fun…

Believe it or not, I’ve gotten a few referrals for weddings. But how do you plan a wedding when so many vendors are unsure about taking bookings?

I’ve been slowly restarting the online Zoom networking/industry meetings which includes making new industry vendor contacts from all over the planet again. Sometimes we got to do what we got to do to keep up with the industry. Needless to say, I still meet with my ‘GIRLS’ either every week or other week to keep our sanity in check.

On a personal note, I’m still walking every other day or so. (it’s freakin BURRRRR cold)

And yes I’m still cooking my heart out, and probably gaining weight in the process unfortunately!

I did loose weight before COVID so hopefully I haven’t gained it all back.

All in all, I’m looking forward to a better year. Wishing all my readers, friends and family the best for 2021.

Zoom-bie kind a month

December 2020December 2022 in Articles

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Zoom-bie kind a month

It’s a Zoom-bie attack!

Ohhhhh boy what a month (actually a year) of the living Zoom-bies meetings!!

In other words: my month was filled with Zoom meetings! Whether it was with colleagues or friends, I made contact (through the screen) with a lot of different people. I am like a Zoom zombie these days – I miss seeing hugging and shaking hands with people and the face-to-face thing toooo!!

networking-freinds-weekly-talk-with-the-girls

However, believe it or not, I did do some traveling:

♥ Australia
♥ Thailand
♥ Indonesia
♥ Latin Countries
♥ Puerto Rico

Yes yes of course it was with the utmost safety measures – virtually speaking ..

Also kept up with my networking throughout December, and I made new contacts with some future travel partners. Indonesia here we come!!

The session (classes) at Lasalle College have wrapped up and the students successfully graduated. Watch out world a new BATCH of Meeting Planners are on the loose!!

Unfortunately, it looks like this coming January’s winter session will not begin… due to the pandemic there has not been many students signing up (so the school will have many cutbacks). I am however, waiting to see if I will be teaching the online classes for ilasalle; this is Tutoring work slightly different than the teaching gig.

Speaking of teachings, I attend a virtual course myself needed to sharpen my virtual meeting skill for my clientele – Proud to announce that I am now officially a VEMM (Virtual Events & Meeting Management)

As for the Christmas parties clearly it quite quiet these days with a twist instead of getting together with meals and music with dancing… Many clients have opted to generously give out gift cards for food and online shopping and other treats, which was very nice option considering our pandemic situation…

I myself got spoiled from my students with thank you notes and gifts!!

thank-you-note-to-daniela-caputo-from-students

Which brings me to an UBER UBER quiet Xmas … no family gatherings and food overload!! Just drop off gifts and quick socially distant visits… and YES I continued to cook and bake …

To sum up my year much reflection was done … here is the link to my thoughts:

I hope you all have a safe, warm, and wonderful holiday season, and I wish you only the best for 2021. See you next year!

Message from the universe: it is Time for Recognition Daniela

November 2020December 2022 in Articles

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Message from the universe: it is Time for Recognition Daniela

Oufffaaa what a November!! I cannot believe we are heading into the last month of 2020 soon. Hope you have all been keeping well and staying healthy. Myself I’m STILL taking my daily 2hour walks with my furbaby Ballo….. super soothing….

Work wise this month was sort of a carbon-copy of last month, with a lot of online classes, including one that I’m taking for myself re: updating my platform knowledge for upcoming online planning events with tons of behind-the-scenes learning. (YES, I’m pivoting)

Also, been attending tons of meetings for destination options for my clientele in regard to their Incentive Programs (which will be restarting sometime next year (maybe in the 3quarter))

Went out on a limb and invited virtual guest speakers for my students – went GREAT and an inspiration to them.

Speaking of my future Event Planner ROCK STAR students – WOWOWOWOW this group jus BLEW my mind with the final stretch of their Fundraising Final Project and the success they had with it.

They made me PROUD and are officially Meetings/Event Planners ROCK STARS – WOWZERS!!

Since I have THE TIME now, I am helping to curate a School project called Coach’s Corner at Lasalle this is a competition-based workshop for future entrepreneurs starting a business. – similar to Dragons Den or Sharks Tank concept.

coaches-corner-departmental-weekly-meeting-college-lasalle

Believe it or not, I have gone to quite a few places… virtually speaking of course: the Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Ireland, Greece, and Florida to list a few. Fun fact, if COVID was not here I would have travelled to all these spots this year… alas I will digress…

YUP – I am still doing tons of cooking and baking…

All in all, it’s basically business as usual… just in a virtual world… YES I miss the in-person exchanges…

This brings me now to the Title of this month’s Blog … TIME for RECOGNITIONS

Interestingly enough there is a common thing that has been happening and has been flattering and pleasantly surprising. This year 2020 seems to be THE year that I have been receiving so MUCH recognition for my overall work over the years. It is down right out of the blue!! I mean people from all over the industry are coming out to congratulate me on work I have been doing and have done!! It is almost like having lifetime achievement moments!?!?!?!

I mean did an in-depth interview with local media mogul Jamie Orchard as well as a number of Podcasts in regard one career paths. Too boot, I was honored and given an award for my work by my industry peers (share it with you last month). I MUST admit, this is WONDERFULLY exhilarating and so very unexpected. I mean being recognized for all my work is a flattering and humbling experience and it does come at a weird time in our industry’s state … what I mean is that most people/peers I know are losing their jobs and our beloved industry has been devastated … I guess it boils down to one of the IRONIES of life. Come to think of it there is another layer of bizarreness because it is almost like receiving all of these accolades makes me think is my career now over?!? Do I need to change focus!?! OMGOSH I’m not ready for this … joking aside it is quite flattering, nonetheless.

Coach Jasmyne L’inspiratrice à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajm6rZrVRZI&feature=youtu.be

The Second Act Project à https://www.thesecondactproject.ca/sapstories/planning-for-the-unexpected

Stay well, stay happy, and most importantly stay SAFE – I will be back in December.

A spook-tacular October – pun TOTALLY intended BOOOOO

October 2020December 2022 in Articles

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A spook-tacular October – pun TOTALLY intended BOOOOO

The month was pretty action-packed, believe it or not. I was busy with work stuff, school obligations, and I had some stuff going on personally too. Let’s start with work…

I went on a 3 day virtual FAM (Familiarization) tour to Prince Edward Island (PEI) It was amazing! Every day we had activities that kept us engaged and it was TRULY fun even though it was virtual. You see, they sent us a big box ahead of time that had lots of local specialities: chips, chocolate, an Anne of Green Gables hat with the hair, autographed cook book from Michael Smith, sand and shells, and even a virtual reality visor for your phone to go on tours and feel like you’re actually there. This “event” really made me feel like I was back in the game, so to speak.

School is still happening online, and yes there are challenges, but it is overall great. I am so impressed by these students – they are putting on a online Fundraiser with no budget and very little knowledge of online behind the scenes logistics… WOWZERS, they are doing their own virtual event no matter what the obstacles…

teaching-online-as-a-speaker-at-college-lasalle

Speaking of virtual events, I too did my very first virtual event with the MPI Ottawa Education sub-committee team, and that was a lot of fun learnt tons. New challenges are coming …

Also partook, in several online virtual Networking events. Yes folks ‘we’ all need to keep up with things!!

And yes, I am still fulfilling my creativity with tons of cooking and baking – god I LOVE this!! My husband and I continued our quest of small renos here and there. We are keeping busy, however, these where things that needed to get eventually done. So, we obliged.

On a personal note, I NEED to send a HEARTFELT SHOUT OUT, to the team of Doctors and Staff of the Glen Hospital!!! (they don’t call it the super hospital for nothing) As a preventative measure I had a full-on Hysterectomy operation (the least invasive version). I cannot get over the WONDERFULNESS that was displayed. Utter grace and skill they had from the bedside manner to the after-care patient operation … As nervous as I was – they made me feel so safe!!! WOWOW MERCI – THANK YOU – GRAZIE!!!! I am recovering slowly but surly. Also, another HEARFELT thanks to my friends and family for sending me get well wishes and LOVE.

Finally, to close out the work side of the month, I virtually attended the MPI Ottawa’s Annual Gala (virtual version) … Learnt tons and loved to see everyone – CONGRATS to the winners and organizers!!!