Dr. Kelly McManus

This plenary will explore how festivals and events can stay resilient in a time of rising costs, shifting community expectations, and increasing social complexity. Drawing on Dr. Kelly McManus’s research into Kitchener’s event ecosystem, the session highlights the changing landscape for organizers and the critical leadership role municipalities can play in strengthening local event networks.

Outcomes:

1) Gain insight into the key factors shaping the evolving landscape of community-focused festivals and events.

2) Examine multiple dimensions of crisis response, recovery, and resilience—covering event management practices as well as organizational and community capacity.

3) Be inspired to embrace an ecosystem approach that strengthens festival and event resilience within their communities.

BIO:

With a career background in municipal government and the non-profit sector, Kelly McManus is an avid community builder. For the past decade, Kelly has served as Associate Vice President, Community Relations & Events at the University of Waterloo. Her portfolio includes leadership of major University events and ceremonies, including convocation, community lectures and signature events such as the Waterloo Innovation Summit.

Alongside her work, Dr. McManus is an educator and scholar whose research focuses on the social impact of community festivals and events. Notably, her PhD research investigated the significant role of organizational and community capacity, risk and resilience. She is a member of the Healthy Communities Network at the University of Waterloo.