Coaching Corner - Theresa Ellwood

From Birthday Invitations to National Conferences: Theresa’s Journey in Meetings & Mentorship

For Theresa Ellwood, a career in meetings and conferences began long before she ever held a professional title. At six years old, she was already making invitations and planning her own birthday parties, sometimes without telling her parents first. Even then, she loved bringing people together and taking care of the details. It was an early sign of a passion that would shape her future.

That love for planning followed her through life. Whether it was organizing social gatherings or coordinating her children’s parties and activities, Ellwood found joy in creating experiences that connected people. Hospitality always felt like the right fit. She began her career as a cake decorator and later moved into catering, where she developed a strong foundation in service and event execution. Once her children started school, she decided it was time to formalize her skills and enrolled in the Conventions and Meetings Management program at Algonquin College, a decision that confirmed she had found her path.

Ellwood describes her career journey as a “charmed” one. While still completing her studies, she was recruited by the Manager of Conference Services at Algonquin College, which marked her first official role in the meetings industry. A few years later, she joined Carleton University as a Conference Coordinator and eventually became Manager of Conference Services. During her time there, she worked with large and complex groups, including the Ceremonial Guard, the Ontario Summer Games, and national academic and faith-based organizations. These experiences helped her build confidence in managing large-scale events and diverse stakeholder needs.

Wanting to move more fully into a planner role, Ellwood later joined the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries. There, she was responsible for producing CANSEC, Canada’s largest defence trade show. The role was demanding and fast-paced, but it taught her valuable lessons about adaptability, leadership, and managing events under pressure.

After taking a year off when her granddaughter was born, Ellwood thought she might be ready to step away from events. Instead, she found herself searching for what she called her “dream job”, a role that offered creative freedom, meaningful impact, and the ability to design events from start to finish. That search led her to the Canadian Construction Association, where she now serves as Manager of Meetings & Conferences.

Today, Ellwood works with a small but dedicated team to deliver a wide range of events, including an international annual conference, leadership retreats, advocacy days, and committee meetings. No two days are the same. Her responsibilities include budgeting, sending RFPs, working with sponsors, developing creative social events, and sourcing destinations. She thrives in the fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing logistics with creativity.

With a membership base of more than 20,000 firms, Ellwood approaches each event with intention. She starts by understanding the purpose of the meeting, whether it’s education, networking, or innovation, and designs experiences that align with those goals while meeting the needs of the audience.

One event that stands out most in her career is a recent gala in Quebec City. Designed as a masquerade ball, the evening featured dramatic long tables, black-and-gold décor, candlelight performances, and handcrafted fan menus inspired by a bygone era. The immersive experience ended with a standing ovation, a moment that affirmed the impact of thoughtful storytelling and design.

Mentorship has been a constant throughout Ellwood’s journey. Early guidance from a professor helped spark her passion and grew into a long-term professional relationship. Today, she views mentorship as guidance, encouragement, and sharing opportunities with others. She believes in explaining not just what decisions are made, but why; helping others see the bigger picture.

Her own experience with burnout has also shaped how she leads. After navigating intense personal and professional demands during a family health crisis, she learned the importance of balance and supportive leadership. Now, she prioritizes open conversations around well-being and leads with empathy.

The advice she shares most often is simple: don’t sweat the small stuff. Events are complex, and things won’t always go as planned but most attendees will never notice unless you let it show. Positivity, calm, and kindness matter.

Ultimately, Ellwood hopes people remember one thing after working with her: be kind. Long after an event ends, people may forget the details but they will always remember how you made them feel.

If you’d like to connect with Ellwood to learn more about meeting and conference planning, leadership, or mentorship in the meetings industry, you can reach her at tellwood@cca-acc.com or on LinkedIn.

 Article edited by: Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services