Marnie Lapierre - Two Sessions

Monday, February 23, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Additional cost of $99+hst (members) $149+hst (non-Members) to attend

Session Title: Enhanced Critical Path Development for Festivals and Events

This session builds on foundational planning by guiding participants through the creation of a detailed critical path timeline tailored to festivals and events. Attendees will learn how to break down every phase of an event—from early planning and sponsorship outreach to day-of logistics and post-event evaluation—into clear, trackable tasks with deadlines and accountability. The session will highlight best practices for sequencing activities, managing dependencies, and incorporating risk management so that teams can stay on schedule and adapt to challenges. Participants will leave with practical tools, templates, and a working draft of their own critical path to implement immediately.

Outcomes:

1 - Customized Draft Critical Path Each participant will develop or refine a working critical path document for their own event, including key milestones, timelines, and assigned responsibilities

2 - Improved Sequencing & Task Management Attendees will understand how to map tasks in logical order, identify dependencies, and prevent bottlenecks that can derail event timelines

3 - Risk and Contingency Integration Participants will learn how to embed risk management checkpoints and contingency plans into their critical paths, ensuring greater resilience when unexpected issues arise

4 - Tools and Templates for Ongoing Use Attendees will leave with practical templates, checklists, and digital tools to track progress and communicate effectively with their teams, volunteers, and partners

BIO:

Marnie Lapierre is a Certified Festivals and Events Expert and Certified Tourism Industry Specialist with 25+ years of accumulated experience in delivering excellent customer service, fundraising, grant writing, and managing small- and large-scale events.

With extensive volunteer development experience, department and event budgeting, administration, and media relations (including marketing tourism and events regionally, provincially, and nationally), Marnie possesses the tools to build the path to your organization's goals.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 2:35pm-3:20pm

Session Title: Volunteer Management Strategies.

Strategic / Organizational Focus

- Volunteer Recruitment in a Changing Landscape

- Trends in volunteerism (post-pandemic, youth engagement, skills-based volunteering).

- Creative recruitment channels: social media, schools, corporate programs.

- Building a Volunteer Pipeline

- How to attract youth, newcomers, and retirees.

- Transitioning casual event volunteers into long-term supporters.

- Retention & Recognition

- What keeps volunteers coming back.

- Meaningful recognition beyond thank-you gifts (stories, mentorship, skills development).

Training & Risk Management

- Setting Volunteers Up for Success

- Orientation essentials (AODA, WSIB, health & safety basics in Ontario).

- Job descriptions and clear expectations.

- Risk Management in Volunteer Roles

- Insurance considerations, liability, supervision.

- How to create contingency plans if volunteers no-show.

Skills & Leadership Development

- Volunteering as a Pathway to Skills & Careers

- Micro-credentials, certificates (Smart Serve, WHMIS, accessibility).

- How volunteering supports employability and leadership growth.

- Volunteer Leadership & Mentorship

- Developing team leads and succession planning.

- Peer-to-peer mentoring models at events.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

- Inclusive Volunteer Engagement

- Engaging newcomers, Indigenous communities, multi-generational volunteers.

- Breaking down barriers (transportation, language, accessibility).

- Cultural Competency for Volunteer Managers

- How to adapt volunteer roles and communication styles to diverse audiences.

Practical / Interactive Options

- Volunteer Management Toolkit (hands-on)

- Provide templates (job description, checklist, recognition ideas).

- Group activity: build a sample volunteer role profile together.

- Case Study Challenge - Present a real festival/event volunteer dilemma (e.g., 40% no-show rate, or conflict between volunteers).

- Groups brainstorm solutions and share back.

Outcomes:

– Volunteer Management Session - Clear Understanding of Volunteer Lifecycles.

BIO:

Marnie Lapierre is a Certified Festivals and Events Expert and Certified Tourism Industry Specialist with 25+ years of accumulated experience in delivering excellent customer service, fundraising, grant writing, and managing small- and large-scale events.

With extensive volunteer development experience, department and event budgeting, administration, and media relations (including marketing tourism and events regionally, provincially, and nationally), Marnie possesses the tools to build the path to your organization's goals.