Festivals & Events Learning Series Spring 2026
Our Festival & Events Learning Series continues this spring with two virtual sessions presented in partnership with Festivals & Events Ontario. These 60 minute webinars are designed for festival/event managers or developers, board members, tourism development professionals and anyone else involved with festivals and events, whether you are experienced or planning your very first! In March, we are featuring two industry experts, each with over 20 years of experience in the festivals and events sector. You can register for one or both sessions – read on for all the details.
Building a Sustainable Festival: Hillside Festival in Guelph, ON
Thursday, March 19, 2026 11:00 AM – 12 Noon AST / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM NST / 10:00 – 11:00 AM EST
If you are interested in developing sustainable practices for your festival or event, you will want to check out this session! Guest speaker Kate Johnston will share her experiences with the Hillside Community Festival in Guelph, Ontario. Hillside is a not-for-profit music festival that celebrates creativity through artistic expression, community engagement, and environmental leadership. Set in a beautiful, accessible conservation area with campgrounds on Guelph Lake, the festival is world-renowned as one of Canada’s most progressive, environmentally conscious, non-commercial community celebrations. Hillside is committed to offering space and work for artists and arts workers from all races, cultures, and communities, particularly Indigenous, people of colour, LGBTQ2S+, and women whose inclusion will help stitch a richer and more varied cultural fabric.
Kate Johnston has over 20 years’ experience in arts, culture, and non-profit management. She was formerly the Artistic Director of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and General Manager of the Livery Theatre, and held a senior management role with Roosevelt Campobello International Park, an international heritage site. She is currently the Executive Director of the award-winning progressive and environmentally sustainable Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ontario. Kate is passionate about community-building through arts and culture experiences.
You can view the session recording HERE.
Emergency Preparedness for Festivals & Events
Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:00 AM – Noon AST / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM NST / 10:00 – 11:00 AM EST
Being prepared for emergencies is a critical part of planning and organizing your event or festival. There are so many aspects to consider when evaluating risks and trying to proactively plan that it can feel daunting. During this session, Delores MacAdam will explore how to plan for the unexpected and handle unanticipated challenges. She will also talk about the importance of developing community partnerships and provide examples of how communication and collaboration can lead to safe, fun and sustainable events. If you are looking for some guidance around emergency preparedness, this session is a must!
Delores MacAdam is a leader of the City of Ottawa Management Team. She has over 30 years of experience with Special Events, Marketing/Communications and government relations, and in community planning and development at the municipal and provincial levels. Her work and passion involve engaging and developing economic & cultural richness across the City of Ottawa through civic engagement, policy standardization, and leadership/resource alignment. As Chair of Festival and Events Ontario (FEO), Delores has worked closely with event leaders across Ontario with a goal promoting the value of events to government leaders and designing educational programs for members to enhance their ability to create experiences for event goers that are second to none on all levels. She is also a key board member and educator with the International Festival and Event Association (IFEA) which includes teaching and mentoring students at the Executive Event Management School in West Virginia for the past 7 years.
You can watch the recording HERE.
You can view our previous Festivals and Events webinars on our Experience GMIST YouTube Page!