Getting to Know - Daniela Caputo

Name and designations: 
Name: Daniela Caputo, EDC CiS WPICC CMP CMM
Position: Meeting Planner
Employer: Montréal Event Planner 
Joined MPI in: 2009

Contact information: Email: daniela@montrealeventplanner.ca 
Linked IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielacaputoeventmanagement/

How did you join the industry? Was it a straight path or a more circuitous route?

I started as a meeting/event planner. I have had my own company for 17 years. Before this I worked in the corporate world for 25 years in different capacities - Sales & Customer Service Manager, Frontline Coorodnator, PR, Marketing Director and Project Manager. In 1983 I started to work for a company that manufactured and sold specialized polyelthalene (plastic) bags. In 1992 I moved on to work for a manufacturer of corrugated boxes, from there I moved on to work for a number of different companies: brake pad manufacturer, welding products manufacturer, retail store fixtures, then to an import export conglomerate, and so on and so forth.

At the end of 2005 the recession hit hard and my department (Marketing) was closed down due to inflation. It was sad but at the same it presented a great number of opportunities. As the saying goes: “one door closes another opens”. As part of my exit package the company offered to keep paying the refresher courses I was taking at Concordia University in Marketing and PR. Once I finished those courses, I decided to keep going and took the Hotel Management certification program. I did this because at that point I decided to open my business in the Meetings/Events Industry. While I was establishing myself I did tons of volunteer work and took on part time jobs to pay the bills.

I started my business during the recession and it was excruciatingly hard. At the time, hiring an Event/Meeting planner was consider a “luxury”. I was totally oblivious to this and quite naïve. So I blindly forged on full force and got knocked down more times than I want to remember. I hustled my way at networking events. Scoured the business sections of the local newspapers trying to find my next client – believe it or not, this strategy worked more often than not. The struggle was real. I built everything from scratch. Through word of mouth and persistence I slowly (very slowly) found work. So, so worth it looking back!!!

What is the best industry blog you’d recommend to fellow members?

I recommend the MPI newsletter and MPI Chapter News & Views.

What do you want to accomplish before your next birthday?

I want to get back into the incentive programs with my clientele.

What is your best way to tame your nerves before a work event?

I like to focus on the task at hand. I become laser focused on the the event and tasks.

What is the best thing about being the age you are now?

The best thing is the experience I have accumulated so far. It is a great way to reflect on things and to recognize “la sagesse”. This pandemic has helped me to re-focus on what is important.

What’s your favourite “icebreaker question” at a networking event?

For me, I just like to go up to someone with a huge smile and simply say, “Hello my name is Daniela Caputo”.

Last words - I aspire to INSPIRE.

 Article edited by Article edited by Cynthia Beaudin, Canada Foundation for Innovation