President’s Message November 2017
As we enter the final weeks of 2017 I have been reflecting on all that has happened at CAEM this past year and the overwhelming feeling I have is one of gratitude. When I stood before you at our AGM in 2016, our financial picture was bleak. Now as we approach the end of our 2017 fiscal, we are projecting to realize a small surplus. There is no one person responsible for this change, it is truly a group effort. So I want to take this opportunity to thank you, our members and sponsors, for your wholehearted support of our events and initiatives this past year. None of what we do at CAEM is possible without your support.
CAEM is a volunteer led and run Association. Every event we organize and each initiative we undertake is led, coordinated and executed by our passionate, creative and dedicated volunteers. Over the course of 2017 our volunteers have gone above and beyond in what have been challenging times and I thank each one of you for your contribution. Leading our volunteers is our Board of Directors. I am honoured to serve along side this driven group of industry professionals who have made fiscal responsibility a top priority but at no time have they lost sight of our number one priority – delivering value to our members.
As 2018 approaches we are looking forward to change. As you are aware, our present contract with our association management firm – Association & Events Management (A & E) will come to an end on December 31. I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Serge, Michael, Christiane and Danielle for their many years of excellent service and wish them continued success. Our search for a new management firm is progressing according to schedule and our goal of having a new company in place by January 1, 2018 remains on track.
Finally, I want thank the members who have taken the time to call, email or speak to me directly with their concerns, questions and in many cases their encouragement. Your opinion matters and I urge you to continue to reach out to me or any Board Member with your questions and feedback. This is your association and we are here to serve you.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the CAEM Holiday Luncheon on December 5th at Beanfield Centre.
Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and a fantastic New Year
Jennifer Allaby
CAEM President