Reflecting on an inspiring two days at the 2026 Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE)!
There’s something special about bringing so many people from the meetings and events industry together in one place. Over August 11 and 12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) gave us the chance to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, exchange ideas, and learn more about what’s happening across our industry. With suppliers, venues, technology companies, and professionals from Canada, the US, and beyond, there was definitely no shortage of inspiration!
One of the highlights was stopping by the AV-CANADA booth, where we had some fun playing skeeball while helping raise funds Second Harvest. It was a great example of how our industry can combine engagement and giving back.
The Canadian Meeting Education sessions were a great opportunity to learn from industry experts and take away ideas and insights that we can bring back to our teams and apply to our work.
One session that particularly stood out was Dr. Samra Zafar’s keynote, “Burnout to Belonging: The Shift from Grind to Growth”. Her personal journey of being a teenage bride in an abusive marriage made her message about belonging, resilience, and well-being feel particularly meaningful. She shared science-backed strategies for building stronger connections and creating environments where people feel valued and supported.
We were also inspired by Amber Balcaen, professional NASCAR driver, entrepreneur, and speaker, during her “Full Throttle” session. Drawing from her experience competing at 180 miles per hour and becoming the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the US, Amber shared powerful lessons about turning setbacks into fuel, confidence, decision-making, relationship-building, and performing under pressure.
A huge thank you to the CMEE team for another fantastic event and for creating a space where our industry can come together to share, collaborate, and grow.
One message from Dr. Samra Zafar’s keynote that stayed with us was simple: “Everything will be okay.” After two days of connecting with so many people in our industry, it was a fitting reminder that we’re part of a community where we can support, inspire, and learn from one another.
Until next year, CMEE!