General Session
10:15AM – 11:00AM
Transformations: Keynote Presentation by Preston Bailey
BizBash Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008
All Attendees Welcomed

Transformations: Keynote Presentation by Preston Bailey

Preston Bailey

With 27 years in the events industry, Preston Bailey has become especially renowned for his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ fantasies into awe-inspiring reality. Preston’s one-of-a-kind events, which included the most extravagant weddings and galas for Royal families across the globe, have earned him a reputation, as the world’s preeminent event designer. He has attracted such clients as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karen, Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Laurence Fishburne, Emmitt Smith and Bill Cosby. Preston’s signature style combines exuberant and harmonious color palettes, sensuous textures, shapes that are both architectural and organic, and modern adaptations of traditional elements to excite the senses in profound ways. Inspired by the simple beauty of the natural world, Preston is known for taking small, simple, elements, changing them, reshaping them and repeating them on many layers to create grand, spectacular dramatic statements.

BizBash Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008

Francine Socket
Director, Special Event & Merchandising, CTV Inc.

Francine Socket is CTV Inc.’s Director of Special Events and Merchandising and has held this position since 2001.  Socket oversees more than 100 events annually including the party for the MuchMusic Video Awards, the Etalk Star! Festival Schmooze, executive conferences, as well as client and staff appreciation events. Socket graduated from Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts program with a Bachelor in Applied Arts.  Her career in broadcasting began in live production for both news and MuchMusic.  Her live TV experience laid a solid foundation for her ability to manage and execute high profile, grand scale events exceeding 3500 guests. Francine sits on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Entertainment District Association.

Michael Cress
Special Event Manager, CANFAR

Michael is currently the Special Event Manager for CANFAR – the Canadian Foundation For AIDS Research.  For the past 6 years he has been very active with the Friends For Life Bike Rally an annual 6 day 600km fundraising cycling adventure from Toronto to Montréal support of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. Michael has personally cycled the 600 kms Montreal for the past 5 summers and is responsible for personally raising over $12,000 for the cause.  He is on the organizing committee for the 10th annual Friends For Life Bike Rally for summer 2008, expecting to raise $1 million for the PWA Foundation.  His involvement on many events in many levels for a large number of organizations includes Fife House’s Spotlight and Performers for Life, Willow Breast Cancer Foundation’s Eat to the Beat, Youth Employment Services Art Auction, Street Youth International Wine Auction, and the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives Foul Supper to name a few! 

Dennis Mills
Vice-Chairman, Magna Entertainment

As co-founder of Chair-man Mills and one of the lead organizers of events such as World Youth Day, Toronto Rocks with the Rolling Stones, the Bala Summit on Water, the Summit on the Environment in Toronto and the Family Farm Tribute, Dennis Mills has long been an active resident of the City of Toronto.  As a Member of Parliament representing the Toronto-Danforth riding for 16 years, Dennis Mills was renowned for his dedication to Canada and Toronto alike, and for his dedication to his constituents.

Don Saytar
Founder & Executive Producer, Cornerstone Entertainment Production

Don Saytar is the founder and Executive Producer of Cornerstone Entertainment Concepts Inc., an entertainment and event production company serving clients across Canada and the United States which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. Don spearheaded the formation of the Toronto Events Coalition in response to the SARS Crisis and his letter to the editor on the impact of SARS on the event industry was printed in the Toronto Star. He is also a published author on the subject of “Working with Celebrities” and has lectured on entertainment, event production and business practices at the conference, college and university levels. Don is a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Toronto.

Networking Luncheon
12:30PM – 2:00PM
2008 State of the Industry Address by International ISES President Connie Riley, CSEP and BizBash President Richard Aaron
Team Toronto
Event & Meeting Planners Only

Connie Riley, CSEP
Vice President of Event Operations for T. Skorman Productions
International President, International Special Events Society

Connie is the Vice President of Event Operations for T. Skorman Productions, Inc. and has worked with the company over 25 years. Settling in Orlando in 1987 to open the Convention / Special Events Department, Connie manages the legal aspects for T. Skorman Productions and oversees the operations of over 300 events and name acts annually.  Connie Riley, CSEP is currently the President of the International Special Events Society and will serve on the ISES Board of Governors until 2009.  As one of the founding members of the Orlando Chapter, Connie served as the 2nd President of the Orlando Chapter and was included in the inaugural graduating class of the ISES Certified Special Events Professional designation.  Connie’s achievements and dedication to ISES reflect her personal commitment to education, professional conduct and ethics and volunteer service.

International Special Events Society Anniversary Gathering
3:15PM – 4:00PM
Toronto International Special Events Society’s president and officer Brian Bell hosts an all-Canadian ISES chapter national networking event at the BizBash TO Event Style Expo and Awards.

BizBash TO Awards
4:00PM – 4:30PM
Each year at the BizBash TO Event Style Show Expo and Awards, leaders and visionaries in the event industry are honored for their hard work and dedication.
All attendees welcome

High Tea & High Balls Cocktail Reception
4:45PM – 6:00PM
Celebrate the end of an exciting day with your event and meeting planning peers at the High Tea & Highballs cocktail party. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with exhibitors and attendees during an authentic high tea reception with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
All attendees welcome

Entertainment
All day
Toronto's most talented entertainers will be performing throughout the day, including George St. Kitts, Bollywood Grooves, Freestyle Soccer, Aerial Angels and DJ Piers. This exciting range of entertainment can only be found at the BizBash Toronto!