our approach

we’re boutique and unique

Event planning is more than our area of expertise – it’s our passion!

From initial conception to development, planning, on-site management and post-event follow-up – we have the experience, knowledge and resources to execute meetings, conferences and special events that meet your unique goals and objectives.

We are pros at stretching everything from budgets to imaginations.™

Since 2005, Elastic Communications & Events has produced a wide variety of successful and memorable gatherings. Whether you are holding a team meeting with a select number of attendees, an international conference with hundreds of guests, or a celebration of an important milestone or achievement – we manage all the details and create an exciting and engaging experience for you and your guests.

Our approach is founded on five key pillars.

High Performing Team

High Performance Icon

The Elastic team is Effective, Logistical, Accountable, Strategic, Technical, Imaginative and Cross-Functional. We have strongly complimentary skill sets, and we combine to form an amazing team which can fulfill every need your program might have.

Shared Success

Shared Success IconWe believe in shared success with our clients. We strive to understand and appreciate your organizational culture. This allows us to be highly collaborative, working with you to create aligned common goals for every program. We focus on long-term success, holding joint retrospectives for improvement along the way.

Partnerships

Partnership IconWe believe in the power of long-term relationships, and we have established and built strategic relationships with supplier partners across the event industry. We are very proud of the excellent reputation we enjoy with our supplier partners. Through these partnerships, we are able to combine a global footprint with strong buying power.

Industry Leadership

Industry Leadership IconWe take a leadership position within our industry. Through volunteering with industry associations [such as MPI, CansPEP, PCMA and CSA], we play a key role in elevating our profession through cross-industry leadership. We regularly attend continuing educations programs to ensure we have up-to-date knowledge about industry trends, tools and techniques. Finally, familiarization trips ensure we always have the broadest and most in-depth knowledge about the destinations we recommend.

Online Tools

Online Tools IconWe are experts at all of the online tools and applications needed to plan and manage events – including Productivity and Communication Tools, Mobile Event Applications, Registration Systems and Website CMSes.

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Miles flown per year
Room nights blocked annually
Average onsite shoe count
Printed Name Badges Yearly

"It is a unique skill to communicate the big picture while managing the smaller details so effectively, getting a diverse group of people to work together and handle challenges with diplomacy and tact."

Kathryn Wakefield

our services

driving ideas into amazing events

Supplier Management

Supplier Management Icon
We take responsibility on your behalf for all supplier management elements, including: the evaluation process, sourcing and negotiating, on-going supplier liaison, and adherence to minimum standards, schedule and budget.  Examples of suppliers we commonly work with are:

  • Hotels and venues
  • Audio visual
  • Exhibit décor
  • SWAG
  • Décor and entertainment
  • Print and collateral
  • Transportation and Security

Logistics

Logistics IconOutside of the onsite logistics, we also provide ongoing logistics support for the full duration of your event planning and execution. This includes

  • Creation of a proprietary Operations Manual, a resume of daily functions from set up to tear down
  • Speaker logistics, including tracking their content, registration and travel.
  • Sponsor Solicitation and Fulfilment
  • Status Meetings

Hotel Management

Hotel Management IconWe will manage all aspects of your hotel experience, working with you to find the best venue for your unique needs. We can take care of just one aspect (e.g. just sourcing), or the whole journey, including:

  • Site sourcing and selection
  • Contract negotiations
  • Conference service management
  • Food and beverage selections
  • Accommodations
  • Designing meeting setups

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Event Strategy

Event Strategy IconAt the core of our service offering, we partner with you to design, create and execute on a guaranteed event strategy.

  • Defining measurable goals and objectives
  • Creating a Critical Path for the event
  • Ongoing facilitation of Strategic Meetings
  • End-to-end design of the overall event
  • Holding post event retrospectives

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Budget Management

Budget Management IconWe provide a full budget management service, ensuring you can plan and manage the costs for your event. We help you create, review and approve a budget for your event, and take responsibility for tracking and reconciling all income and expenses.

  • Budget Conception
  • Revenue & Expense Tracking
  • Budget Reconciliation
  • Assist in measuring ROI

Onsite Management

Onsite Management IconWe ensure everything that happens on site operates flawlessly. From registration and rehearsals to catering and audio visual presentations, our team of dedicated professionals provides 24-hour effective and efficient on-site support . We provide logistical support and are continually anticipating and troubleshooting any challenges which may arise before or during the event. We take care of:

  • 24/7 onsite support
  • Pre-conference preparation meetings
  • Registration and hospitality desk
  • Technical rehearsals
  • Catering management
  • Support for speakers, room setups etc
  • Load-in and setup
  • Teardown and Load-Out

Online Management

Online Management IconWe work with a variety of conference and event online tools, applications and software to source both ‘off-the-shelf’ and ‘fully developed from scratch’ products. We work with you to determine your goals and objectives, and build the best solution to accommodate the demands of your event – while keeping it on budget. We are experts in:

  • Event websites
  • Registration systems
  • Mobile event applications

the team

we are an award-winning team of passionate meeting professionals committed to creating an exceptional event for you

Yvonne Dewar, CMP

Yvonne Dewar, CMP

President and Senior Account Director
Yvonne Dewar, CMP

Yvonne Dewar, CMP

President and Senior Account Director
“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” - Alan Lakein, author of How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life

Bio

Our company is led by Yvonne Dewar, a Certified Meeting Professional with more than 25 years of experience in the meetings industry. Prior to launching Elastic Communications & Events, Yvonne was Director, Conference & Events, for a leading North American communication and events firm.

Yvonne has traveled extensively, directing and managing events for 20 to 5,500 attendees – including annual general meetings, employee recognition events, national sales meetings, travel incentive programs, symposiums, trade shows, and product launches.

From Fortune 500 companies in the financial, high tech and pharmaceutical industries, to government and association clients – Yvonne’s clients return year after year because of her service standards, work ethic, and passion for the meetings industry. As a result, Yvonne was the recipient of the esteemed Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Toronto Chapter 2010 Planner of the Year Award. She is also a Past President of the MPI Toronto Chapter, which has more than 700 members.

On top of her business achievements, Yvonne also works hard as mother to two very busy teenage daughters! From honour roll ceremonies to ice rinks, soccer stadiums, and karate lessons – Yvonne’s daughters keep her active, involved and invigorated.

Jessica Small

Jessica Small

Senior Program Manager
Jessica Small

Jessica Small

Senior Program Manager
“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson, author

Bio

Jessica is a senior program manager with almost a decade of event planning and management experience. She discovered her passion and enthusiasm for the industry while completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree in the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program at Ryerson University.

Jessica started at Elastic as project co-ordinator and quickly became invaluable due to her ability to master the essential facets of successful event management – connecting people, devising smart solutions, and seeing the big picture while also mastering the fine details. Since then she has managed conferences, meetings and events of all shapes and sizes worldwide, and is responsible for all event elements from conception to execution.

Jessica's positive and energetic approach never fails to deliver programs that exceed client expectations, while providing hands-on attention to detail that ensures a successful event. It’s no surprise Jessica was awarded the 2011 Rising Star Award from Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine.

Jessica grew up in small town Ontario – so she can line dance and drive a tractor. On top of her skills as an event manager she runs a farm with her husband – growing food for Canadians while running after her toddler and his sidekick cat.

Tarah McMaster

Tarah McMaster

Program Manager
Tarah McMaster

    Tarah McMaster

    Program Manager

    Bio

    Tarah is a program manager with 8 years of event planning and management experience. She discovered her passion for the industry while she was in high school, quickly becoming the planner of her friend circle: birthday parties, pool parties, Christmas parties- you name it, she planned it! After high school she moved on to University of Western Ontario where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts and George Brown College where she obtained a diploma in Special Event Planning.

    Tarah comes to Elastic with a background in non-profit associations where she worked in events and sponsorship. In her previous roles she has worked on events of all size from 80 person networking events, to 500 person gala dinners, to 2000+ conference and tradeshows. Her previous roles include: Starlight Children’s Foundation, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada and International Federation on Ageing. Through her various past roles she has learned how to master what she considers to be essential of a great planner- attention to detail, ability to wear many hats, and building great relationships within the industry and with attendees.

    Tarah brings positivity and high energy to every event that she is a part of, combined with her passion for delivering an outstanding experience. She believes in a hands on, attendee focused approach when organizing each event. She holds herself to a high level of integrity and excellence and it reflects in her events.

    Tarah grew up just east of Toronto where she still resides. When she is not planning events you can find her entertaining and hosting dinner parties- she loves to cook and is addicted to the Food Network! She also believes strongly in giving back to the community and spends a lot of her spare time volunteering by mentoring at risk youth.

     

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    We are aligned with professionals who help us achieve our client’s goals. We pride ourselves on our long-term industry relationships with valued partners.

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