Q&A With Tara Gordon
Q&A With Tara Gordon
Vice-president, Business Events
Tourism Toronto
Business Events Toronto is the first point of contact for planners when considering Toronto for meetings and events. Why is that important?
It’s important because members of our team truly are destination experts who can help you unlock the best of the city for your event. Our team will work with you every step of the way, from your initial site visit to registration and well after tear-down to ensure your event gets the most out of our destination. As well, we have access to local businesses that are thriving here and putting Toronto on the map as a hub of innovation. We can connect you to experts who are here to benefit your event.
How does BET build upon its team members’ experience and vast knowledge of the city?
Business Events Toronto acts as a gateway to the very best this city has to offer. But every client experience is different and we recognize that. We live and breathe the belief that there are no limits to hospitality. Creativity and personalization go a long way and we go out of our way to deliver that.
Describe two recent events where the BET team went above and beyond to bring a client’s vision to reality.
In 2018 we welcomed 24,000 members of Rotary from more than 175 countries for the 109th annual International Convention. It was the largest convention Toronto had hosted in the past five years, as well as the largest multicultural gathering based on the country of origin of attendees. We helped manage off-site dinners for 2,400 people at local Rotary clubs, restaurants and in many cases the dining rooms of Toronto-area Rotary members. While it was challenging in terms of coordinating logistics and transportation around the city, the attendees were able to share a good meal with great company and experience a very unique taste of Toronto that they might not have experienced otherwise.
Last year we also welcomed more than 4,000 elite salespeople from NU SKIN Greater China for their annual incentive trip. Attendees arrived from China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan over six days—this was the largest single company trip from Greater China to ever visit Toronto. The itinerary encouraged attendees to explore Downtown Toronto as well as the surrounding region, including an exclusive dinner party in Niagara Falls featuring a fireworks and light show at the Horseshoe Falls. As well, the attendees experienced a study abroad component with a lecture program at the downtown University of Toronto campus. Accessing the thought leadership and excellence in the educational field was something that appealed to the organizers and ultimately the partners who were in attendance.
For more information about working with Business Events Toronto contact our team here.