Melissa Marie Maltais

Today’s event attendees want more than a great experience — they want to be part of something meaningful. This workshop introduces how events of all sizes can embed sustainability and legacy-building through Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation’s Smart Forest™ model — a turnkey, full-lifecycle approach to forest development and nature-based climate action.

Participants will learn how festivals and events can move beyond token tree planting and build measurable environmental impact through reforestation, carbon sequestration, and Indigenous community partnerships — all while increasing brand visibility, community engagement, and climate leadership.

Whether it’s planting one tree per ticket, developing a branded legacy forest, or creating an immersive digital Smart Forest™ for attendees to explore, this session will equip organizers with real-world strategies to turn climate concern into climate action — one tree at a time.

Outcomes:

My primary goal in presenting at this conference is to meaningfully engage with event professionals across Ontario who are looking to integrate real, measurable sustainability into their event models. I would love to walk away from this experience having made 50 new connections with festival and event organizers who are genuinely interested in exploring nature-based climate solutions.

In terms of measurable business outcomes, I’m aiming to convert at least 10 of those leads into collaborative partnerships or contracts, whether that’s through a tree-per-ticket initiative, a branded Smart Forest™, or a legacy sustainability campaign tied to a specific event. Beyond that, I hope to raise awareness about how Canada’s Forest Trust Corporat.

BIO:

Born and raised in Timmins, Ontario, I carry a deep love for Northern Ontario and a deep-rooted commitment to building strong, economically resilient communities across our region.

I’ve spent my career exploring different industries—from hospitality and legal services to conservation programming and entrepreneurship. I’m a retired event planner, a recovering creative junkie, and a lifelong advocate for connection, collaboration, and meaningful community impact.

My path has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what fuels my perspective. Through my work today, I support both individuals and organizations in unlocking creative strategies, building intentional systems, and finding clarity through thoughtful brainstorming and visibility planning. I’m especially passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs and professionals to share their talents in ways that align with both their business goals and personal values.

I’m always looking for opportunities to spark new ideas, build authentic connections, and create ripples of impact across the North (and beyond).

I believe in showing up fully, learning through the process, and making space for others to do the same.