Event Planning for Religious & Non Profit Organizations

The Lung Association's Better Breathing Conference is one of the largest annual respiratory education programs in Canada. It attracts healthcare professionals from many disciplines including respirologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists from across Canada to hear about the latest in respiratory health.


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

The Youth Advocacy Training Institute

The Youth Advocacy Training Institute is an initiative of The Lung Association and the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion to provide youth ages 14-19 with training in leadership skills and advocacy of tobacco issues. Blessed Events has been involved with their events since its inception in 2005, assisting with approximately 10 province-wide training sessions throughout the year, plus the annual conference of over 500 youth and advisors.