To us, it's very simple ...
We want to help take the burden off you and to make you look good! When you look good, we are happy!
CANHOST Group is a conference and special event planning company focusing on helping organizations and associations host successful conferences and events. We specialize in providing conference and event registration and ticketing options to our clients.
The goal of CANHOST Group is to provide a professional, ethical and efficient conference and event planning service to associations, groups and organizations who, by mandate or by choice, host conferences, workshops, seminars, receptions, banquets and special events to name a few.
CANHOST Group is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Professional Event Planners (www.canspep.ca).
Trish Wallace, Event Coordinator
Trish has spent hundreds of hours planning and coordinating events in her personal and professional lives. As a former registered nurse of 25 years, she has assisted with both local and national health related conferences and seminars in Ontario and southern Alberta.
From January to March of 2010, she was in the enviable position of working in the Motor Pool, Logistics Division for the Vancouver Olympics Host Broadcaster, Olympic Broadcasting Services. She found this opportunity to be tremendously fullfilling and a life-changing experience, motivating her to change careers from healthcare to event planning, her true passion.
She is a proud and committed community member in Lethbridge, volunteering in past years for the Host Committees of the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, Canadian Senior Curling Championship, Canadian National Slow Pitch Championship, and worked at the executive level for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canadian Men’s Amateur Golf Championship, and presently with the 2012 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship scheduled for March 2012. She has a long history of participating on committees dedicated to her familys' social, sport and school activities.
Trish's enthusiasm and "can do" attitude is a huge asset to CANHOST Group and our clients!
Chris Smith, Conference Manager
Chris comes with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and convention industry. Chris has worked in varying positions with the Four Seasons Hotel, Radisson Hotel (currently Calgary Marriott) and the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. He also has been involved with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM), Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) and the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). Chris has extensive management, business and customer service experience. He is also extremely active within his community and volunteers with Calgary YMCA and the Calgary Youth Justice Society.
Chris operates our satellite office in Calgary and is involved in the on-site management of many of CANHOST Group's events! He is another extremely valuable asset to our team!
Robin Gardner, CMP, President
Robin is pleased to have worked with hundreds of groups, organizations and associations over a span of 22 years, 16 in the Conference & Event Services department at the University of Lethbridge. In 2005, Robin founded CANHOST Group to fulfill a need for a professional event management company in southern Alberta. She proudly obtained her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Convention Industry Council, U.S. in 2002 and successfully recertified in 2007. This certification process is only available to those who have met high standards of proficiency in meeting management as demonstrated by substantial professional experience and superior exam performance. She is the only person in southern Alberta with this world-recognized certification!
Molly, dog extraordinaire and office supervisor
Molly is an integral part of the CANHOST Group team by "keeping it real". She ensures that all staff members keep balance in their lives by leaving work at a decent hour each day and making sure that "exercise" is a regular part of the routine.
