Brought to you by Ignite, the magazine for business event professionals, Ignite Your Events explores the issues facing the industry—from RFPs and price setting to ethics and negotiating—and speaks to the innovative thinkers who are working on the solutions.
Your hosts, Debbie van der Beek, President and Chief Visionary Officer of Ignite and Editor, and Director of Content Innovation Laura Bickle aren’t afraid stir the pot and have the tough discussions necessary to move the industry forward.
Tune in for an inspiring and insightful conversation filled with real experiences, actionable advice and a sense of community.
The State of the Event Workforce: A US Perspective
What does it take to build a sustainable, rewarding career in business events? Barbara Scofidio, editor of Skift Meetings, joins Laura and Debbie for a candid cross-border conversation about the challenges facing event professionals in Canada and the U.S. From compensation and the gender pay gap to burnout, workload, staffing and career development, they explore why talented people are leaving jobs they love—and what needs to change to attract and retain the next generation.
Resources:
Read the Ignite Worth It Salary Survey in the Summer Issue of Ignite.
Read Barbara Scofidio’s Skift article, Why Event Planners are Walking Away From Jobs They Love.
Visit the Worth It landing page on Ignite magazine’s website for resources, back issues and ongoing conversations.
Listen to related episodes:
Episode #23: Insights from the Ignite Worth It Salary Survey
Episode #18: Building the Next Generation of Event Talent
Sign up for a FREE subscription to Ignite magazine for more ideas and inspiration.
Visit us on LinkedIn >
Do you have a comment, a question or want to share a story about business practices in the event industry? We want to hear from you! Email us a voice memo or drop us a line at podcast@ignitemag.ca.
Be sure to subscribe to the Ignite Your Events podcast so you don’t miss any of our inspiring content.
7 Aug 2026
Insights from Ignite's Worth It Salary Survey
The first-ever Ignite Worth It Salary Survey gives Canada’s business events industry something it has never had before: meaningful Canadian data on compensation, career satisfaction, burnout, workplace culture and the future of the profession. In this episode, Laura Bickle and Debbie van der Beek unpack the survey findings from 768 planners and suppliers across the country, exploring what they reveal about salaries, the gender pay gap, work-life balance, recruitment challenges and why so many professionals remain passionate about the industry despite increasing workloads. They discuss the opportunities—and the urgent conversations—needed to attract the next generation of talent, create more sustainable careers and strengthen the future of Canada’s business events industry. This episode offers valuable insights and practical context for where the profession stands today—and where it needs to go next.
A special thank you to our episode and Ignite Worth Salary Survey sponsor, DE Systems. desystems.com
Resources:
Read the Ignite Worth It Salary Survey in the Summer Issue of Ignite.
Visit the Worth It landing page on Ignite magazine’s website for resources, back issues and ongoing conversations.
Sign up for a FREE subscription to Ignite magazine for more ideas and inspiration.
Visit us on LinkedIn >
Do you have a comment, a question or want to share a story about business practices in the event industry? We want to hear from you! Email us a voice memo or drop us a line at podcast@ignitemag.ca.
Be sure to subscribe to the Ignite Your Events podcast so you don’t miss any of our inspiring content.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Ignite Your Events. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and practical advice to elevate your business events!
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Copyright Ignite 2026
25 Jun 2026
Going Solo: From In-house Planner to Event Entrepreneur
In this episode, we sit down with Emilia Kim, founder of EM Collective Events, to talk about what it really takes to leave a successful in-house events career and strike out on your own. Emilia shares how she thoughtfully prepared for the transition, why she stopped waiting for the "perfect" time to make a change, and how defining her worst-case scenario gave her the confidence to take the leap.
Along the way, we explore the realities of freelance event work—from setting rates and managing scope creep to navigating slower periods and finding clients who truly value event professionals. Emilia also reflects on the rewards of independence, including the freedom to choose projects that inspire her, explore new creative opportunities and build a business on her own terms.
Whether you're dreaming of entrepreneurship, growing a side hustle or simply curious about life beyond the corporate world, Emilia offers an honest, refreshing and practical look at the challenges, risks and rewards of betting on yourself.
Resources:
Connect with Emilia Kim:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emcollectiveevents/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliajkim/
Visit the Worth It landing page on Ignite magazine’s website for resources, back issues, and ongoing conversations.
Sign up for a FREE subscription to Ignite magazine for more ideas and inspiration.
Visit us on LinkedIn >
Do you have a comment, a question or want to share a story about business practices in the event industry? We want to hear from you! Email us a voice memo or drop us a line at podcast@ignitemag.ca.
Be sure to subscribe to the Ignite Your Events podcast so you don’t miss any of our inspiring content.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Ignite Your Events. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and practical advice to elevate your business events!
Next episode: Join Debbie and Laura as they reveal the results of the Ignite Worth It Salary Survey and—and where the conversation on value needs to go next.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Copyright Ignite 2026
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