Member Spotlight - Kalli Foster, DES

Name and designations: Kalli Foster, DES
Position: Coordinator, Events and Marketing
Employer: AIA Canada
Joined MPI in: 2017

Contact Information:
Email: fosterkalli@gmail.com
LinkedIn: (1) Kalli Foster, DES | LinkedIn

Why did you decide to join MPI Ottawa?

I joined MPI Ottawa in 2017 while studying in the Algonquin College Event Management Program. I had recently moved back to Ottawa after spending 4 years in the GTA. I wanted to fully immerse myself in the industry, make new connections quickly, explore job pathways for after graduation, and learn everything I could. Sandy Ouellette, my professor at the time, had offered up a few registrations to students to attend a breakfast education event. I joined MPI following that event.

What is your favorite event organized by MPI Ottawa?

MPI Prix Prestige Awards Gala (2018). I was nominated for Student of the Year so it was a very special event for me. I enjoyed hearing about all of the amazing members in other nominee categories accomplishing such great things. It was really inspiring and made me proud to be surrounded by such an amazing community.

What do you like the most about MPI Ottawa?

What I like most about MPI Ottawa is the camaraderie between members. Whether you attend an event, join a sub-committee or simply read the emails here and there, MPI Ottawa allows you to deepen existing relationships and forge new ones. You can meet like-minded professionals with common interests and similar challenges. Those relationships are invaluable and are an ongoing source of ideas and inspiration.

How did you get where you are today?

I always knew I wanted to be in some sort of hospitality role. Having worked in restaurants and hotels while in high school, I decided to move to Ottawa to pursue the Tourism and Travel Diploma Program at Algonquin College. While in school, I worked for a large corporate travel agency for 2.5 years. I then did a short stint at Ottawa U and realized the program wasn’t really for me.

I left Ottawa to return to my hometown and joined a local travel agency. When a new national-chain hotel opened up shop down the road, I decided to leave travel planning and joined the opening team of the hotel. It was a cool experience to open a hotel. I started there as a Front Desk Agent, then moved on to Guest Service Manager. It was there that I decided I wanted to explore the event side of the business. I really enjoyed working with the various groups and events that came into the hotel.

In 2017, I moved back to Ottawa and enrolled in the Event Management Program at Algonquin College. I worked hard, volunteered at many events, and tried to make a lot of connections. While in school, I was working part-time at the Brookstreet Hotel as a Banquet Partner. I wanted to see that side of event planning and learned about room set ups, décor and F&B operations.

Stephanie Lockhart was my professor at the time and the Director of Events at the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). As soon as I met her, I knew I wanted to work for her. At the time she didn’t have any open spots on her team, so I volunteered at a few of their events and was hired on shortly after. I worked there part-time while finishing school and joined full-time after graduation. It was amazing exposure into the event planning world, especially association events. I learned so much from all of the seasoned planners I worked with. I worked on about 20 conferences per year, all over Canada, all with various logistical requirements including the first-hybrid AGM of its kind (pre-pandemic).

Sadly, due to the pandemic, my chapter at the CBA ended. And here I am now, at AIA Canada, working with one of my former colleagues from the CBA!

What is an industry tool you could not live without?

Todoist - I have a list, for my list, then a sub-list for that list. It’s a great online tool and keeps me organized.

Last Words

“Every person you meet is a potential door to a new opportunity—personally or professionally. Build good bridges even in that just-for-now job, because you never know how they’ll weave into the larger picture of your life.” - Kristina Leonardi, Career Coach

 Article edited by: (1) Darlene Kelly-Stewart | LinkedIn Kalli Foster, DES | LinkedIn at Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services