Marnie Lapierre

This session provides a refresher on the core principles of festival and event planning, focusing on building a strong foundation before diving into advanced tools and tactics.

Participants will revisit the essentials of defining event purpose, setting clear goals and objectives, identifying target audiences, and aligning activities with organizational or community priorities. Through guided discussion and practical exercises, attendees will learn how to streamline planning, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure their events remain mission-driven. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with a clear framework to guide future planning and decision-making.

Outcomes:

1) Clarity of Purpose & Goals - Attendees will identify or refine the core purpose of their event and establish clear, measurable goals that align with organizational or community priorities.

2) Audience Centered Approach - Participants will develop a stronger understanding of target audiences and how to tailor event activities to meet audience needs and expectations. 3) Strategic Planning Framework - Attendees will leave with a practical framework or template for building a strategic plan that includes vision, mission, objectives, and key outcomes.

4) Foundational Action Steps - Each participant will outline initial action steps they can apply immediately to strengthen planning for their upcoming festival or event.

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.