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Never one to fit into any sort of mold, Joseph “JD” Dubois has always followed the urge to get out and see the world!

JD’s been riding motorcycles since he was a young man and still loves to soak in the landscapes and experience other cultures from the seat of his bike.

He’s always loved riding, referring to a good ride as “Throttle Therapy” but as he grew older, JD found a home in the biker brotherhood and culture.

In researching and writing his Graduate Degree Thesis, JD became immersed one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. It’s what led him to start his passion project Freedom Biker Tours based out of Alberta, Canada. 

JD’s professional life has been spent working in travel, tourism, and hospitality since he was a teenager. He’s worked Food & Beverage in bars and restaurants. As a flight attendant and in operations for airlines.

He’s worked for tour operators and travel agencies and has many years' of experience in the accommodation sector in hotels and resorts including owning and operating a campground and RV park in beautiful British Columbia.

Skillfully driving through the curves and bumps of entrepreneurship, JD continues to operate a tourism consulting firm, Dubois Hospitality Group.

When JD dons a suit it’s usually in the role as the long time, trusted, tenacious Sales Manager for The Kenrick Hotel in the heart of Banff, Alberta, Canada – “Where Luxury Meets Legacy”. 

It was in his role at The Kenrick that we met and I’m so glad you will get to know him too through our conversation today! 

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Connect with Joseph “JD” Dubois on LinkedIn HERE.

The Freedom Biker Tours:
Through the Therapeutic power of Motorcycling and Throttle Therapy, JD promotes Mental Well-Being, Connection, and Personal Growth. His mission is to inspire and support riders of all backgrounds, creating a culture of Inclusivity and Healing - one ride at a time.

About The Kenrick Hotel:
Locally owned and family operated, we have been proudly welcoming guests from around the world for over half a century. Formerly the High Country Inn - The Kenrick is experiencing a full circle moment for our family, and an opportunity for guests to experience Banff in a whole new way.

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!

Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca 

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Gabrielle Austen-Browne – or Gabby  – is a multi-award-winning diversity and inclusion professional, and the founder of Diversity Alliance.

Diversity Alliance is a female and Black owned leading consultancy that empowers organisations in the events, hospitality and creative industries to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility through education, training, workshops, and events.

With a team of associates and experts who have lived and breathed inclusion and accessibility in the creative arts, the corporate setting and in event management, Gabby brings a unique perspective and industry-specific expertise to our work.

The Diversity Alliance client list includes the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Square Enix Fan Fest IV, Jack Morton, Momentum, Informa Tech, Hilton and Stellar Global, as well as venues and various industry associations.

Based out of Brighton, UK Gabby leverages her extensive events, marketing and hospitality experience to inform, support, and advise on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility strategies relevant to the sector.

A frequent speaker, writer, and lecturer, on “Diversity & Inclusion” in events, she is also committed to nurturing new industry talent, serving as a mentor, guide, and coach to up-and-coming professionals.

Events impact so many things in our communities – and can influence wider society. No matter what event you’re planning, your role as "Event Planner” is a big responsibility and an opportunity!

Gabby says, “It’s important that we make sure every event is representative of society and inclusive of the wider community.”

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You can find and connect with Gabby on LinkedIn HERE.

Diversity Alliance
“Diversity Alliance is a female and Black owned leading consultancy that empowers organisations in the events, hospitality and creative industries to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility through education, training, workshops, and events. They meet clients wherever they are on their DE&I journey and providing tailored guidance to help them implement initiatives and strategies across all aspects of their business operations and live events.”

Inclusive Event Design Course & Community  

Network of Women in Events

Black in Events – North America 

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!

Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Tim Truax is a multi-faceted professional who blends creativity with science, and storytelling with structure.

Tim is a passionate pop culture enthusiast and the creative force behind The Nerd Room, a podcast that has been nerding out with listeners since 2015. With over 450 episodes under his belt, Tim has carved out a space as a trusted voice in the worlds of Star Wars, Marvel, and beyond.

His energetic commentary and sharp insights make him a standout pop culture commentator and a go-to for fans looking for deep dives and fun conversations.

In addition to hosting, producing, and editing The Nerd Room, Tim is the CEO of PodSummit, Canada’s premier podcasting event. 

It was by attending Tim’s first summit in September 2024 that I was able to get to know Tim – and be inspired by – his passion to create connections through this unique made-in-Canada, for Canadian podcasters, experience.

Through PodSummit, he’s built more than just an event—he’s fostered a thriving, supportive community of podcasters from across the country. 

Tim’s passion for community building shines through in everything he does, from creating welcoming spaces for creators to connect, to mentoring new podcasters as they find their voices.

Tim Truax is all about connection—connecting people to stories, to ideas, and most importantly, to each other.

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You can find and connect with Tim on LinkedIn HERE. 

Listen in to Tim's podcast The Nerd Room HERE:

And, if you are ready to share space with storytellers and podcast creators, register to join in on the PodSummit taking place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Sept 19-20, 2025!

Follow PodSummit updates on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE! 

“PodSummit is CANADA’S PODCAST EVENT, where together we are building and amplifying the Canadian podcast community by uniting creators, storytellers, and experts shaping podcasting. This is the intersection of the art of podcasting and the spirit of innovation - where voices unite to push boundaries and ignite ideas. Step into a space built for discovery and collaboration, where each conversation and connection becomes part of the story.” 

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!  Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Liz Lathan, CMP, is a trailblazer in the experiential marketing arena and is the Co-Founder and head of community for Club Ichi, which is in Liz’s own words … a “friggin' awesome”, private membership community for Business to Business – or B2B – Event Marketers.

Club Ichi isn’t like any other community. Dive in and you’ll experience conference sessions on inflatable unicorns, 2:30 a.m. exploding pajama parties, secret business trips, lots of hugs, and a whole lot of people just looking to help each other. 

But Liz and her team also recognize many event professionals need “community” to help advance their careers, expand their networks, and build relationships that transcend business. It’s all in Club Ichi!

Liz believes – even with so much focus on the word “connection” - most events are not designed to build deep connections. It’s this reality that led Liz to create Spontaneous Think Tank™. This unique opportunity not only sparks authentic connections but also provides a therapeutic space for business problem-solving.

Liz brings over two decades of rich experience in corporate event marketing, having spearheaded global event teams for tech giants like Dell, where she pioneered Dell World in 2011, and IBM's Analytics & Hybrid Cloud division.

Beyond her executive roles, Liz thrives as a writer, investor, speaker, and avid traveler, continuously shaping the future of event marketing and community engagement through her innovative and strategic approach - all built around having FUN!

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You can find and connect with Liz on LinkedIn HERE! 

Club Ichi – With a flair for the quirky, fun, and unexpected, Club Ichi is known for bringing B2B event marketers together in intimate settings around the world for strategic conversations that drive pipeline and revenue for their events. 

The Community Factory – Most events aren’t designed to build deep connections. We apply our Power in Company Method to help to spark the relationships the drive revenue. 

Spontaneous Think Tank™️ – Armed with sticky notes and Sharpie markers, attendees contribute challenges they're having, creating a "wall of woes." Through collaborative crowdsourcing, they co-create an agenda of sessions where the participants lead the conversations.  

Event Minds Matter by Club Ichi - “Building brave spaces to amplify the industry’s conversation on human sustainability in the workplace"

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! 

Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is pr

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Gabriella Robuccio – or Gabby as she has invited me to call her – has taken it on herself to put her event experience to work to empower event professionals, one relationship at a time.

We all say relationships are one of the most – if not the most – important aspect of event planning. But how many of us are ready to get real about how we are creating, cultivating, and caring for those relationships?

Gabby’s professional journey has spanned over a decade and has included projects of varying scopes within the event industry.

The Emmy sitting on her home office shelf was hard won and is a testimony to her exceptional work as a production manager for ESPN – where she helped to produce some of their top global projects!

Moving on from ESPN she jumped into the high stakes world of producing fundraising events for a nonprofit healthcare foundation that spanned multiple American states.

Gabby is now the Founder of ProEventTips where her focus is on providing event professionals of all levels with the tools and training to develop crucial, event specific, relationship management and leadership skills.

With each episode of this podcast, I try to describe the essence of each Natural Connector in the title of the episode. 

As I was listening to our conversation – over and over (It’s one of the gifts of editing each episode myself!) – I kept thinking, “The work Gabby is doing could revolutionize the way event planners experience every relationship on their event journey!”

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “Revolutionary” as “involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.” Gabby’s passion to see relationships change in the events industry is inspiring!

So ... welcome to my conversation with Gabriella Robuccio, Emmy Award Winning Production Manager, Relationship Revolutionary, and Natural Connector! 

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You can find and connect with Gabriella on LinkedIn HERE or follow her on Instagram HERE!

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!

Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Mallory Erickson helps nonprofits feel better, do better, and raise more from the right funders so they can stop hounding people for money.

As an Executive Director, Mallory turned an organization from a 300K to a 3-million-dollar one thanks to working 70 hours a week to keep everything afloat. She was driven by the dream to make a positive impact in this world, but she didn’t know how to get off the hamster wheel.

Times have changed, but the best practices for the sector have stayed the same. When we look deeper, we’ll see those “best practices” just aren’t working anymore.

Mallory believes to her core that the nonprofit sector can solve the problems of the world, but now believes in order to do this we must be ready to change.

Mallory says, “By adopting new ways of fundraising and operating we will not only change how much we can fundraise, but we’ll change the way we feel about fundraising too!”

Her recently released book, "What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose" challenges the scarcity mindset in the sector and offers a path to sustainable, joyful fundraising.

To keep her focus, Mallory holds tight to her core values: Courage, Curiosity, Vulnerability, Imperfection, Alignment, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In our conversation today Mallory shares the reason why “Alignment” – specifically – is such an important value. 

“The value of alignment is that we get to show up and be visible in alignment with our core values. We also get to be honest and reflective when things feel out of alignment. Being true to ourselves is key to sustainable fundraising success.” 

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You can find and connect with Mallory on LinkedIn HERE! Her new book,What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose, is an essential resource for nonprofit professionals to overcome the challenges they face to catalyze lasting change in the world.

Mallory is also the host of the podcast What the Fundraising, which brings guests into conversation about nonprofit leadership and fundraising. Listen in HERE!

Through her groundbreaking course, the Power Partners Formula™️ is a comprehensive roadmap to identify and engage the right funders. Learn more HERE! 

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Start building at TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by CandyConsulting.ca

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Christian Ortiz is a multifaceted American talent based out of Denver, Colorado, known for his groundbreaking work as a filmmaker, musician, photographer, artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

He has been bridging creativity and business for years, specializing in helping creatives build sustainable businesses while empowering companies to create meaningful, impactful brands.

Through his innovative social media management company – Mod Atlas Media – Christian has helped hundreds of brands align their digital presence with their core values, fostering growth that is both innovative and socially responsible.

Christian is on a mission to transform the tech industry by embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into its very core.

He’s not just a tech entrepreneur—He’s a global advocate for social justice, using the power of AI and creative innovation to drive real change.

His passion to see change led him to develop Justice AI an AI-driven solutions that was created to dismantle systemic biases.

Justice AI is a tool designed to promote fairness and equity within corporate environments, ensuring businesses not only grow but grow ethically and inclusively.

Christian is mobilizing social activists, creatives, and tech innovators to reshape the tech landscape into one that reflects and amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities.

His influential work extends from the US to Uganda, serving on numerous boards and driving change.

In our conversation today Christian shares his belief that we can enjoy a future where technology serves everyone and that – when working together – we can all see that vision become a reality! 

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You can find and connect with Christian on LinkedIn HERE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/modatlasmedia/

Justice AI, developed by Christian Ortiz, is the world's first ethical AI that empowers businesses globally with AI solutions that prioritize fairness, transparency, and responsibility. His advanced platform helps organizations reduce bias, foster inclusivity, and meet international standards across industries like finance, healthcare, and human resources. Learn more HERE.  https://justiceai.co/

As the founder of MOD ATLAS MEDIA, an online business consulting platform, Christian is defining his purpose with the mission to teach billions on how to build a successful mindset when entering entrepreneurship. Learn more HERE. https://www.modatlasmedia.com/

Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Stacy Huston is a visionary leader in social impact, known for her innovative, purpose-driven approach to philanthropy. 

I first learned of Stacy in her work as the Executive Director of SixDegrees.Org, a nonprofit founded by actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon that uses social networking to amplify the unsung heroes and causes in communities everywhere. 

With over eight years of experience in this role, she continues to lead the organization's mission to connect people to critical resources, sharing stories from changemakers, and leveraging the power of celebrity to make a positive impact.

As an extension of this work Stacy co-created and is the Executive Producer of the #1 nonprofit podcast in the country, 'Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon', which features guests from different fields and backgrounds who are making a difference in the world, alongside the celebrities that champion them. Her work has garnered 6 Webbys and the prestigious Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award.

In 2023 Stacy founded Entertain Change. As the CEO, Stacy spearheads impactful collaborations between entertainers and organizations, working with major entities like Peacock, Warner Bros, and the ACLU. 

Creator of the CRAFT Method™ she works with groups to build deeper and more meaningful engagement through a 5-step principled approach.

This Fall Stacy crafted and delivered a talk at TEDxFargo – based on her CRAFT Method™ - called “A Hands-on Approach to Remodeling Society”. 

In our conversation today Stacy shares her thoughts on how we can prioritize human connection by choosing compassion over comfort, and remodel ourselves and our communities through simple, intentional actions that foster deeper connections. 

Stacy – and her beautiful young family – is based near Washington, DC but travels far and wide encouraging others to “Harness the kindness that connects us all.”

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You can find and connect with Stacy on LinkedIn HERE and watch for the release of her book The Craft Method: A Hands-on Approach to Remodeling Self & Society HERE!

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! 

Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.

Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

I feel I got to know author B. Jeffrey Madoff when reading his book "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas”. It was one on my pile of library books I had gathered for an event planning course I’ve been developing for creatives.

On the faculty at Parsons School for Design, Jeffrey taught a course he developed called “Creativity: Making a Living with Your Ideas”.

I’m grateful he put many of the concepts and conversations from his course into his book so creatives like me – who don’t have the opportunity to participate in his course – can still learn from his journey as a creative.

Jeffrey began his career as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. then switched careers to film and video production as the Founder & CEO of Madoff Productions.

Jeffrey edited and directed award winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Radio City, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard University, and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Jeffrey’s current creative expressions is as Playwright and Lead Producer of “Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical” celebrating one of the most resilient and influential entertainers of our time, Lloyd "Mr. Personality" Price.

In our conversation today it’s interesting to hear how – instead of using the word “connection” Jeffrey uses the word “relationship” saying, “When you build a relationship, you’re building trust.”

We both agreed it’s “trust” that opens the door to new conversations, projects, ideas, and spaces where we can be ourselves.

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You can find and connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about his book "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas" - #1 Bestseller on Amazon - published by Hachette Book Group - HERE! 

Madoff Productions collaborates with clients to create compelling branded content. Learn more HERE or on IG HERE! 

He is on the Advisory Board of Artolution, which is a global non-profit fostering understanding and emotional group through art.

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!

Send us a text

Carolina Panoff is a life coach specializing in authenticity and the visionary founder of Be You Disco, a groundbreaking team-building company that brings wellness and authenticity to the forefront through music, movement, and mindfulness.

Passionate about breaking down barriers, Carolina helps transform company cultures to thrive relationally by boosting well-being and improving the bottom line.

She focuses on fostering belonging, connection, and empathy within teams, drawing inspiration from the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability.

At Be You Disco, Carolina and her team curate bespoke experiences that build meaningful bonds among participants, inspiring collaboration and personal growth.

Their innovative approach has earned recognition from Meetings Today as one of the top new team-building activities, significantly enhancing attendee engagement at conferences.

Carolina’s mission is to create spaces where individuals thrive both personally and professionally, cultivating environments filled with positivity, creativity, and genuine connection.

She has had the honour of working with Fortune 500 companies, sharing her unique vision for corporate wellness and team building.

In our conversation today we talked about the importance of personal authenticity, awakening to cues about what we need in any given moment, and how we can better connect with ourselves and others by unearthing our common humanity.

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To connect, email Carolina at [email protected] and follow Be You Disco on Instagram @beyoudisco.teams and discover how Carolina and Be You Disco can transform your team’s dynamics and elevate your corporate culture on her website HERE!

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Candy Event Consulting is turning 16 in December 2024! It's with a world of gratitude that we invite you to share in Candy's SWEET 16 VIRTUAL DISCO celebration on Friday December 6 from 4-5 pm MST*. In our time together, we will reflect, reconnect, and reenergize with a vibrant virtual disco party expertly facilitated by Carolina Panoff, Founder of Be You Disco who will be joining us from Florida! 🤩

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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca

The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca  

Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hello with podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!