Photos from 2010 Gathering (click to view larger photo)

Reflections of the 2004 Gathering:

‘Heidi Wilker, through Blessed Events, served as the Gathering Manager for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s 2004 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering in Hamilton, Ontario. “ListenUP” 2004 was a resounding triumph. My previous personal relationship with Heidi had me saying, “I will only take on the role of Gathering Chair if Heidi is also hired as the Event Planner.”

Heidi served capably, as always, with her exquisite attention to detail and never-ending supportive encouragement to everyone involved in the Gathering. She was a very important cog in the wheel of a very successful event. Her calm patience helped us through many challenges. I also know that, for Heidi, her work through Blessed Events is more than a job – it is a calling to ministry – to which Heidi has responded with all of her heart and commitment. I support her with my highest recommendation.’

Rev. Tom Doherty, chairperson
“ListenUP” 2004, Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

“In my five years of doing youth ministry events, I have worked with over 250 different event planners. Heidi Wilker is one of the best I have ever seen. She has an uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcome and her attention to detail is incredible. She does a great job at balancing her high level of professionalism and the warm hospitality of Christ, where everyone feels special. I could not recommend anyone higher as a Christian event planner than Heidi Wilker.”

Dave Sherer, Agape
www.hiphopoutreach.com

Blessed Events has managed this conference from 2004 – 2010 in various cities across Canada.

National Worship Conference 2004

National Worship Conference 2008

As the Assembly Logistics Coordinator, ‘Blessed Events’ was engaged by the host church and co-opted to the Lutheran World Federation. Responsibilities included housing in hotels of over 1,000 participants, and logistics for the 14 days of the Assembly, coordinated with staff based in Geneva, Switzerland and members of the Local Planning Committee in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ‘Blessed Events’ provided cost savings to the event of over $27,000.

‘Heidi Wilker served very capably as logistics coordinator for the Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation. For such a large and complex international gathering, her attention to detail and deadlines ensured that strong and effective working relationships were maintained between the coordination office in Geneva, the local arrangements committee in Winnipeg and the management of local facilities such as hotels and the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

Heidi’s experience and working style were particularly valuable in the preparation of detailed facilities plans, and during critical set-up and start-up days for the Assembly. She anticipated problem areas and ensured that problems were resolved quickly. Heidi served an essential role in ensuring that our Assembly was a success, and I would highly recommend her services.’

Ishmael Noko, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation
www.lutheranworld.org

The Lutheran World Federation Assembly, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Booth at The Lutheran World Federation Assembly.

Heidi Wilker at work during the Better Breathing Conference

“I have worked with Heidi for over 15 years, since 2002 specifically in relation to the conduct of our annual Better Breathing Conference. Our annual educational conference is held over the course of three days. Total registration is over 500 delegates and includes physicians, other members of the healthcare team, staff and volunteers of our Association. Several concurrent workshops and lectures are included in the program, each geared to a specific target audience. A trade show is also a key component of our conference. Heidi’s professionalism is evident in everything she does – whether it’s negotiating with the venue, AV company or other suppliers, working with our tradeshow exhibitors or participating on our planning committee. Her attention to detail is clearly reflected in the Critical Path she develops and monitors for our conference. As a non-profit, budget is always an issue. Heidi has often presented creative ideas to help us keep the costs within budget. The knowledge Heidi gained from working many years in the hotel business has provided insight into how we could adjust our meeting room requirements and/or food and beverage costs without taking anything away from the success of the overall conference. Heidi is also working with other departments within our Association to plan other meetings, workshops and training sessions. I know that the staff organizing those sessions are thrilled to have Heidi as part of the team. I would highly recommend Heidi for any event planning. I can’t imagine running our conference without her.”

Cathy Newton
Vice President – Finance & Administration
Ontario Lung Association
www.on.lung.ca

Donna D. Vandertuin
Senior Manager, Relay For Life
www.cancer.ca/ontario

Heidi’s skills as a conference planner are exemplary. Her position requires that she serve as one of three individuals on our Conference Advisory Team. She is extremely well organized and precise in all that she does. She keeps the process of running a conference on a smooth road to success. Her keen sense of responsibility and her willingness to work on any project to solve all problems has led her to be well respected in our organization.

Nothing rattles Heidi. Any last minute glitches are handled quickly and efficiently with little bother. She knows her craft. She is proactive in her approach to the job and heads off concerns before most of us know that they exist.

Heidi is motivated, goal oriented and her work is completed with enthusiasm. The reports that she provides for us at the end of each event have contributed to our successful growth in each of the past three years.

Heidi has a wonderful sense of humour. Her ability to get along with different kinds of people and to respond immediately to their needs has been most beneficial to our organization.

We would recommend Heidi and Blessed Events as outstanding assets to anyone interested in hiring them as planners for a conference.

OSCA Executive Committee
www.osca.ca

In 2006, Blessed Events managed this pre-conference when the International AIDS Conference was held in Toronto, in co-operation with the local host, The Canadian Council of Churches. The 3-day event for approximately 500 people from around the globe involved accommodations, plenary sessions, concurrent workshops, simultaneous interpretation of 3 official languages and meal coordination.