Association, Meeting and Event Specialists
You can create an outstanding first impression for your event or association by making sure you have outstanding support. Rest assured that this is exactly what you will get with Sea to Sky Meeting and Association Management. No matter what our role is, we always deliver professional, friendly service.
Sarah Lowis, CMP, CMM, CAE, BA (French)
Founder and Impact Officer
Sarah strives to make the world a better place by helping organizations thrive by managing their conferences, events, and associations, in Canada and around the World. As Impact Officer she provides strategic leadership and guidance, pertaining to the management of the company she founded and its clients, in areas such as continuous improvement, finance, business development, human resources and training and education. She is passionate about the Arts and environmental conservation and is currently serving as the volunteer Executive Director of the Living Forest Institute, President of the Sunshine Coast Festival for the Performing Arts and Secretary on The Only Animal’s Board of Directors.
Sarah is a Past President of Meeting Professionals International, BC Chapter, and was the first person in British Columbia to achieve the Certified Meeting Manager designation (1999). She achieved her Certified Meeting Professional designation in 1997 and her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2018. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, French major, from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec and speaks English and French.
Tel: 604-984-6439
Email: sarah@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-slowis-v5-2.jpg)
I love being part of a winning team and exceeding expectations. Working together with my team mates, clients and suppliers, we set goals, make plans to achieve them, and then deliver what we promised and more. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction every time!
Ian Holliday, BA (Econ)
President
Ian directs the Sea to Sky team and oversees and manages client projects. He has more than twenty years of experience planning and staging conferences, events, trade shows and meetings spanning six continents, twelve countries and all the major Canadian cities. Ian started his career in Ottawa working with an association management company before moving to Vancouver. He has taught event and conference management courses at a private institution. Before his career in meeting planning, he spent ten years in sales and sales management. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) from the University of Waterloo.
Tel: 778-338-4031
Email: ian@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-iholliday-v4.jpg)
I love working with the talented Sea to Sky team and combining our experience to meet all challenges, whether they are strategic, logistical or financial. I am satisfied when our clients’ experience is such that it is an easy decision for them to hire us again and we develop a long lasting partnership.
Bernadette Gessler, CMP, BBA
Director, Associations and Conferences
Since joining the team in 2013, Bernadette has thrived on the career opportunities available within Sea to Sky, advancing to Director, Associations and Conferences. Bernadette has managed over 30 events within Canada and internationally in 12 countries. She has valuable experience in all aspects of conference and event planning, and a passion for financial management. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certified Meeting Professional designation. In addition to English, Bernadette is fluent in German and has a basic knowledge of Spanish and French.
Tel: 604-984-6448
Email: bernadette@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-bgessler-v4.jpg)
It’s exciting when you do your best to have a successful event. Even better if you work with great people.
Sherri Corrie, MPA, BA
Senior Project Manager
Sherri has been working in the fields of research, administration, communication, marketing and project management since the late 1990s. Her varied background supports Sea to Sky in its Association Management business. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts from Laval University. She speaks English and French.
Tel: 778-338-4142
Email: sherri@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/Sherri.png)
Working with Association Executives who are passionate about their profession is really rewarding on many levels. Working with Sea to Sky’s team is rewarding each day!
Kazia Ekelund, CMP, BTM
Senior Project Manager, Victoria Office
Kazia has been working in the conference and events industry for over 12 years with recent experience in small business management. Her extensive experience supports Sea to Sky in the area of project management. She holds a degree in Tourism Management and a diploma in Resort & Hotel Management from Thompson Rivers University. She is also a certified ‘Green Meeting’ specialist with a passion for delivering environmentally responsible events.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: kazia@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-kekelund-v3.jpg)
The conference and event industry is so dynamic and every day is something new. That’s what I love about this job. I also appreciate working with a great team, especially Sarah and Ian who always work with the highest amount of integrity and professionalism.
Brittany Minskip, CMP, Event Management Diploma
Senior Project Manager
Since joining Sea to Sky in 2014, Brittany has advanced to Senior Project Manager gaining valuable conference and association experience including managing conference logistics, registration, accommodation, membership, site selection, volunteers, transportation, servicing sponsors and exhibits, and producing social events. Brittany graduated from the Art Institute of Vancouver with an Event Management diploma
Tel: 604-984-6448
Email: brittany@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-bminskip-v4.jpg)
I love knowing that all the hard work our team does is benefiting organizations and the amazing work they do. Working with our team is both rewarding and satisfying. We are all so eager to teach, learn and grow together while striving to exceed our clients’ expectations.
Marilyn Lawrie
Sponsorship and Exhibit Sales Manager
Marilyn has more than 20 years of experience in business development consulting in many industries. She has an innate ability to empathize with and influence people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. Her expertise in sales management and marketing comes from working with associations, small businesses, and international corporations. Marilyn’s specialty knowledge in health care marketing ensures a solid understanding of the ethical requirements in sourcing new, viable partners or working with sensitivity within an established network.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: sponsor@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/team-mlawrie-v3.jpg)
I love making sales and the more the better! It is my sincere pleasure to assist our clients in facilitating a financially successful event – and helping their sponsors and exhibitors gain maximum exposure and return on investment for their commitment.
Eunji Na, BTM
Project and Operations Manager
Eunji has a Bachelor degree of Hotel and Event Management from Dongguk University in South Korea, as well as experience in the hospitality industry and managing events. Eunji speaks Korean and English.
Tel: 604-984-6448
Email: eunji@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-ena-v2.jpg)
Working in conference and association management inspires and motivates me. I love to plan and manage perfectly from start to end and I am always meticulous, willing to learn and share information.
Christina Gonzalez Fraser, BA (International Relations, Commerce)
Project Manager
Christina has experience working in the non-profit sector where she gained skills in fundraising, relationship management, and event planning. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Commerce from the University of British in Vancouver, BC, where she volunteered to organize various conferences and gained a strong passion for meeting planning. Christina is an avid traveller and recently spent two years living and teaching English in Madrid, Spain. She speaks fluent English and conversational Spanish.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: christina@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-cfraser-v2.jpg)
There is so much I love about working in conference and association management – from the beginning planning stages to the amazing relationships built with clients, suppliers, members and teammates. I especially love bringing people together and providing them with memorable and authentic experiences. To me, success is when people meet, learn from one another, and create a connection that lasts.
Lydia Eggers, BCom
Bookkeeper, Lead and Associations
Lydia is responsible for Sea to Sky’s accounting function. She has more than twenty years of experience providing management and clients with detailed and accurate accounting reports and project costs in support of strategic decision making. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics and Accounting. Lydia speaks English and German.
Tel: 604-984-6439
Email: success@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/team-leggers-v3.jpg)
I love perfection in numbers and am never satisfied unless everything balances.
Kim McLaren, CPA, CGA
Bookkeeper, Projects
Kim has more than 20 years of experience with bookkeeping and accounting functions and holds her CPA, CGA designation. She brings with her a love for numbers and ensures all financial transactions are tracked and reported accurately in order to provide a clear picture of our clients’ finances. When Kim isn’t preparing balanced statements, she is an avid traveller and loves to visit and explore new places.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: bookkeeper@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/Kim-photo-1.jpg)
Life is like accounting….better when it’s balanced.
Helena Yang, MATM
Project Coordinator
Helena obtained her Master of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Royal Roads University. She has more than ten years experience in travel and event management in Canada and China working within and leading teams. Exploring new territories and pushing limits is her passion and she strives to deliver the highest standard of work. She speaks English and Mandarin.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: helena@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/Helena-Photo-1.jpg)
I always remind myself that success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learn to do. When I feel frustrated, I read these words to myself. When I feel complacent, I read these words to myself once more.
Sina Deipenau, BA
Project Assistant
Sina obtained her Bachelor of Arts in International Tourism Business Management from the University College Birmingham. In addition, through previous educational training in Germany and working in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, she gained valuable experience in sales and marketing and conference and event planning. She is fluent in English and German, and has advanced skills in Spanish and French.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: sina@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-sina-1.jpg)
I really enjoy being part from the beginning of a planned event or conference to the successful execution, while working together with a great and passionate team that achieves all of the determined goals together.
Debbie Risk, BA
Project Assistant
Debbie has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Clinical/Counselling, Afrikaans/Nederlands and Industrial) and has worked as a researcher and consultant at the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa, managed an education consultancy firm, and held various roles in conference management over the years. She speaks English and Afrikaans.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: debbie@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-drisk.jpg)
The highest levels of professionalism, integrity and quality are important to me. I love seeing that in the teamwork, attention to detail, creativity and enthusiasm of my colleagues. Pleasing clients and exceeding their expectations are the feedback that validates what we do and gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. That’s when work is fun.
Valerie Tsuei, BKin
Project Assistant
Valerie gained valuable event management experience at the University of British Columbia while completing her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. Having grown up in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Valerie has a diverse educational and cultural background. She speaks English and Mandarin.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: valeria@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/Valerie-photo-1.jpg)
My favorite part of event and conference management is working with a team of individuals who have the same values and visions, as well as the long-lasting, authentic connections that are inevitably made.
