Kitchener, Ontario
2026 FEO "SUSTAIN"
Conference
February 23 - 25, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026 Schedule
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Half Day Session
Enhanced Critical Path Development
Paid session $99 +hst for FEO Members
Enhanced Critical Path Development
Paid session $99 +hst for FEO Members
$149+hst for non-members
Location
Ontario B
Speaker
Marnie Lapierre
Northern Events and Tourism Consulting (NEAT)
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
First Timers Orientation
Location
Ontario B
7:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Experience Kitchener Welcome Reception
Light appetizers and cash bar.
Transportation will be provided to offsite venue
Light appetizers and cash bar.
Transportation will be provided to offsite venue
Location
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village
10 Huron Road,
Kitchener, Ontario, N2P 2R7
10 Huron Road,
Kitchener, Ontario, N2P 2R7
Kyle Sipkens
Festivals and Events Ontario
Board President
Board President
Louise Jackson
Festivals and Events Ontario
Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
Jazz Trio
Johanna Daze
Max de Groot
Liam Gallagher
Max de Groot
Liam Gallagher
9:00 PM - 12:00AM
After Hours Networking Hospitality Suite
Cash Bar
Cash Bar
Location
Michigan Room
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Schedule
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast (free breakfast for those staying at the hotel, cost to everyone else)
Location
Hotel Restaurant
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Official Conference Welcome
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Dave MacNeil
Festivals and Events Ontario
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Keynote
Drayton Entertainment
Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability. How a grassroots movement thrived and survived. A homegrown success story.
Drayton Entertainment
Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability. How a grassroots movement thrived and survived. A homegrown success story.
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
David Connolly
Drayton Entertainment Artistic Director
Steven Karcher
Drayton Entertainment Executive Director
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Plenary Session #1
University of Waterloo
Future proofing for community events and festivals: An ecosystem approach.
Plenary Speakers Sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
University of Waterloo
Future proofing for community events and festivals: An ecosystem approach.
Plenary Speakers Sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Dr. Kelly McManus
University of Waterloo
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Coffee Break
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Location
Waterloo Hallway
Speaker
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Plenary Session #2
Panel of FEO Suppliers
Supplier Solutions: Outside partners for onsite solutions
Plenary Speakers Sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Panel of FEO Suppliers
Supplier Solutions: Outside partners for onsite solutions
Plenary Speakers Sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Grand Ballroom
Speaker
Kyle Sipkens
Incirque
Joe Privatt
Little Electric Inc.
Rakesh Singh
Little Electric Inc.
Shaine Moore
Spectralite
Jake Rice
Moderator
11:20 AM - 12:05 PM
Plenary Session #3
Panel Discussion:
Crowd Planning Considerations for Extreme Weather Events.
Plenary Speakers sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Panel Discussion:
Crowd Planning Considerations for Extreme Weather Events.
Plenary Speakers sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Kevin Kennedy
Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions
12:05 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch and Marketplace
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of FEO Suppliers
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of FEO Suppliers
Location
Waterloo Hallway
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Conference First Timers
Orientation Session
Orientation Session
Location
Ontario A
Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Breakout Session
Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions
Basic Crowd Management
Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions
Basic Crowd Management
Location
Ontario A
Speaker
Kevin Kennedy
Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Breakout Session
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Building Effective Sponsorship Decks
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Building Effective Sponsorship Decks
Location
Ontario B
Speaker
Laurie Davison
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Breakout Session
aidapt
A.I For Festivals and Events
aidapt
A.I For Festivals and Events
Location
Ontario C
Speakers
Carl Karamaoun
aidapt
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Coffee Break
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Location
Waterloo Hallway
Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Breakout Session
Caledonia Fair
Discover how strong partnerships with your local Agricultural Society can enhance your festival or event.
Caledonia Fair
Discover how strong partnerships with your local Agricultural Society can enhance your festival or event.
Location
Ontario A
Speaker
Ian Thompson
Manager, Caledonia Fair
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Breakout Session
Odyssey Medical
Never Underestimate the Risk: Learn what can go wrong, how to plan for it, and what it takes to respond when seconds matter.
Odyssey Medical
Never Underestimate the Risk: Learn what can go wrong, how to plan for it, and what it takes to respond when seconds matter.
Location
Ontario B
Speakers
Kevin Jones
Odyssey Medical Inc.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Breakout Session
Vaughan International Film Festival
Sustaining Festival Growth: Marketing Strategies, Emerging Trends & Volunteer Creativity
Vaughan International Film Festival
Sustaining Festival Growth: Marketing Strategies, Emerging Trends & Volunteer Creativity
Location
Ontario C
Speaker
Christina Ciddio
Vaughan International Film Festival
3:45 PM - 06:30 PM
Free Time
Unwind after a busy day or catch up with friends before the Service Excellence Awards dinner.
Unwind after a busy day or catch up with friends before the Service Excellence Awards dinner.
Location
Anywhere You Wish - Fairview Park Mall is about 1 km away
6:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Cocktail Reception
A great time to socialize and share experiences after a long day of education or visit suppliers you may have missed earlier in the day.
Sponsored by:
PAL Insurance Brokers
A great time to socialize and share experiences after a long day of education or visit suppliers you may have missed earlier in the day.
Sponsored by:
PAL Insurance Brokers
Location
Waterloo Hallway
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Service Excellence Awards Gala
Recognizing outstanding members of our Supplier Community with well deserved awards and live entertainment from Carabana Ignite Festival and Reggaddiction.
Click here to see the menu for the Service Excellence Awards Gala
Sponsored by:
City of Kitchener
Live Entertainment
Caribana Ignite and Reggadiction
Recognizing outstanding members of our Supplier Community with well deserved awards and live entertainment from Carabana Ignite Festival and Reggaddiction.
Click here to see the menu for the Service Excellence Awards Gala
Sponsored by:
City of Kitchener
Live Entertainment
Caribana Ignite and Reggadiction
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Service Excellence Awards
Celebrating our FEO Suppliers
Live Entertainment
City of Kitchener Caribana Ignite Festival
Reggadiction Band
10:30 PM - 01:00 AM
Hospitality Suite Night #1
Theme: Apres Ski
When the lifts close and the night heats up, join us for the FEO Hospitality Suite After Hours Party on Tuesday, February 24 from 10:30pm–1:00am! We’re bringing the cozy, high-altitude vibes with an Après Ski theme—no skis required.
sponsored by:
Spectralite Sign o Plus
Theme: Apres Ski
When the lifts close and the night heats up, join us for the FEO Hospitality Suite After Hours Party on Tuesday, February 24 from 10:30pm–1:00am! We’re bringing the cozy, high-altitude vibes with an Après Ski theme—no skis required.
sponsored by:
Spectralite Sign o Plus
Location
Michigan Room
Live Entertainment
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Schedule
07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Location
Waterloo Hallway
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast (free breakfast for those staying at the hotel, cost to everyone else)
Location
Hotel Restaurant
8:00AM - 8:30 AM
Conference First Timers
Orientation Session
Orientation Session
Location
Ontario A
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Marketplace
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of FEO Suppliers
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of FEO Suppliers
Location
Waterloo Hallway
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Keynote Speaker
Ad Caffeine and Mad Ads Interactive
From Clips to Crowds, Digital Strategies to Fill Festivals
Ad Caffeine and Mad Ads Interactive
From Clips to Crowds, Digital Strategies to Fill Festivals
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Keith Walthers
President at Ad Caffeine and Mad Ads Interactive
9:25 AM - 10:10 AM
Plenary Session #1
Canadian National Exhibition
Leading with Organics: The CNE’s Path to a Sustainable Future
Canadian National Exhibition
Leading with Organics: The CNE’s Path to a Sustainable Future
sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
10:10AM - 10:25 AM
Coffee Break
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Location
Waterloo Hallway
10:25 AM - 11:10 AM
Plenary Session #2
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
From Site Plan to Sensational: Bringing Your Event Vision to Life
sponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Dorian Anderson
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
11:15 AM - 12:05 PM
Plenary Session #3
Panel Discussion
Provincial Supports for Your Festivals and Events: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming’s Experience Ontario Program and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fundsponsored by:
Smart Serve Ontario
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Speaker
Sweety Bharij
Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
Thomas Vaughan
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
Aruba Amed
Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
12:00 PM - 1:40 PM
Lunch and Marketplace
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of Vendors
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch
Meet & Greet & Shop with a room full of Vendors
Location
Waterloo Hallway
Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1
1:40 PM - 2:25 PM
Breakout Session
Connect Dot Management Inc
No Surprises: The Role of Communication in Managing Major Events
Connect Dot Management Inc
No Surprises: The Role of Communication in Managing Major Events
Location
Ontario A
Speaker
Meaghan Holder
Connect Dot Management Inc.
1:40 PM - 2:25 PM
Sustainable Waterloo Region
The Why and How of Sustainable Events
The Why and How of Sustainable Events
Location
Ontario B
Speakers
Tova Davidson
Sustainable Waterloo Region
1:40 PM - 2:25 PM
Breakout Session
Canada's Forest Trust Corporation
Smart Forests™: Growing Legacy Impact Through Events.
Canada's Forest Trust Corporation
Smart Forests™: Growing Legacy Impact Through Events.
Location
Ontario C
Speaker
Melissa Marie Maltais
Canada's Forest Trust Corporation
2:25 PM - 02:35 PM
Coffee Break
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Enjoy a coffee, tea or cold beverage and network with friends
Location
Waterloo Hallway
Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2
2:35 PM - 3:20 PM
Breakout Session
Influence Marketing
Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing for Festivals and Events
Influence Marketing
Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing for Festivals and Events
Location
Ontario A
Speaker
Chris Wilson
Influence Marketing
2:35 PM - 3:20 PM
Breakout Session
Town of Newmarket and York Regional Police
The Safety Equation: Municipal Planning + Police Partnership = Successful Events
Town of Newmarket and York Regional Police
The Safety Equation: Municipal Planning + Police Partnership = Successful Events
Location
Ontario B
2:35 PM - 3:20 PM
Breakout Session
Northern Events and Tourism Consulting
Volunteer Management Strategies
Northern Events and Tourism Consulting
Volunteer Management Strategies
Location
Ontario C
Speaker
Marnie Lapierre
Northern Events and Tourism Consulting
3:20 PM - 6:30 PM
Free Time
Unwind after a busy day or catch up with friends before the FEO Awards Gala and On-Line Auction.
Unwind after a busy day or catch up with friends before the FEO Awards Gala and On-Line Auction.
Location
Anywhere You Wish - Fairview Park Mall is about 1 km away
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Awards Gala Cocktail Reception
A great time to socialize and share experiences after a long day of education.
sponsored by:
PAL Insurance Brokers
A great time to socialize and share experiences after a long day of education.
sponsored by:
PAL Insurance Brokers
Location
Waterloo Hallway
07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
FEO Awards Gala & On-Line Auction
Theme: Glitter & Gold
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of festivals and events from around the Province with our prestigious awards and Top 100 celebration. Plus, live entertainment and an on-line auction.
Theme: Glitter & Gold
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of festivals and events from around the Province with our prestigious awards and Top 100 celebration. Plus, live entertainment and an on-line auction.
Click here to see the menu for the Awards Gala
Location
Waterloo Ballroom
Live Entertainment
FEO Awards Gala
Celebrating the best of the best festivals and events
On-Line Silent Auction
Bid on your favourite items
Live Entertainment
Amazing tributes to Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift as well as mentalist Mysterion The Mind Reader
10:30 PM - 01:00 AM
Hospitality Suite Night #2
Theme: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Prost! Keep the celebration going at the FEO Hospitality Suite After Hours Party on Wednesday, February 25 from 10:30pm–1:00am, as we bring the spirit of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest to life. The suite will transform into a lively festhalle complete with great music, light snacks, and an open bar
sponsored by:
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Theme: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Prost! Keep the celebration going at the FEO Hospitality Suite After Hours Party on Wednesday, February 25 from 10:30pm–1:00am, as we bring the spirit of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest to life. The suite will transform into a lively festhalle complete with great music, light snacks, and an open bar
sponsored by:
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Location
Michigan Room