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 through 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 performing arts and environmental conservation and is currently serving as President of the Living Forest Institute, President of the Sunshine Coast Festival of 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-v5.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
Leader, Associations and Conferences (maternity leave)
Since joining the team in 2013, Bernadette has thrived on the career opportunities available within Sea to Sky, advancing to Leader, 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: 604-984-6455
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: 604-984-6455
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, DRHM
Senior Project Manager, Victoria Office
Kazia has been working in the conference and events industry for over 15 years with additional experience in small business management. Her extensive experience supports Sea to Sky in the area of project and association management. She holds a degree in Tourism Management and a diploma in Resort & Hotel Management from Thompson Rivers University, is a Certified Meeting Professional, and 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: 604-984-6455
Email: brittany@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-bminskip-v5.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 Manager
Since joining Sea to Sky, Eunji advanced from Project Assistant to Project Manager in a short time, strengthening her experience in conference and association management including registration, membership, speaker management, sponsorship, marketing, managing online platforms for virtual conferences. Eunji has a Bachelor degree of Hotel and Event Management from Dongguk University in South Korea, as well as previous experience in the hospitality industry. Eunji speaks Korean and English.
Tel: 604-984-6455
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.
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.
Chaimaa Gamraoui, M.I.B.
Senior Project Coordinator
Chaimaa has a passion for event planning and execution and has been coordinating events for over six years in Canada and all over the world. She holds a Master of International Business from ESCA University in Casablanca, Morocco. Her unique ability to connect with a diverse multilingual, multicultural audience allows her to build long term, meaningful connections. Chaimaa is fluent, written and spoken, in English, French, and Arabic, and proficient in Spanish.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: chaimaa@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-ggamraoui-v1-1.jpg)
“There is nothing like planning an event and seeing it all come to life. To me, a successful event is not only one that runs smoothly and achieves customer satisfaction, but also one that I get to learn from along the way and work collaboratively with a team of industry leading experts.”
Lynn Chitty, ACIM
Project Coordinator
Lynn holds a Professional Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (United Kingdom) and began her career working in the pharmaceutical industry where she coordinated sales and marketing initiatives, was responsible for organizing technical workshops and monitoring client satisfaction according to established ISO: 9001 quality assurance protocols. In 2010, shortly after the Winter Olympics, Lynn began working in Vancouver’s dynamic event industry where her passion for events and association management were born and continue to grow to this day. Lynn speaks English and is currently studying French.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: lynn@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-lchitty-v1.jpg)
Working in conference and association management is like taking an experiential journey with your team and with your clients! Each journey is unique and along the way, you learn more about yourself and each other as you travel successfully towards your destination. I look forward to continuing to develop strong relationships with our conference and association clients alike and I am proud to be part of the Sea to Sky team!
Debbie Risk, BA
Project Coordinator
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.
Vivian Trieschmann, BBA
Project Coordinator
Vivian has a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Global Hospitality and Tourism Management at Capilano University in Vancouver, Canada and a Bachelor degree in Business Management from the PUC University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has more than ten years of experience in the travel industry and recently discovered her passion for the Meetings and Events Industry. Vivian speaks English and Portuguese.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: vivian@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-vtrieschmann-v1-1.jpg)
Being part of the Sea to the Sky team is an amazing experience. The possibility to provide the best solutions and services to our clients, while working with this fantastic team really excites me.
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.
Ella Lam, Bcom
Project Assistant
Ella holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from Curtin University of Technology (Western Australia), and is currently pursuing a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Global Hospitality and Tourism Management at Capilano University. She has a passion for building community through conference and association management. Ella speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Tel: 604-984-6455
Email: ella@seatoskymeetings.com
![[Photo]](https://www.seatoskymeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/team-elam-v1-1.jpg)
I like gathering people together! Collaborating with the talented Sea to Sky team, suppliers and clients allows me greater opportunity to meet people from around the world and stay engaged with like-minded people.
