“Tahira is a curious event producer, passionate about how technology enhances the human experience at events and everyday. In 2015 she was named one of the “Top 5 Women in Event Technology”, was inducted into the Meetings Canada Hall of Fame in the Big Idea category, and named one of the Convention Industry Council’s #CMP30 Influencers and in 2016 Tahira was nominated for the Vancouver Global Meetings Industry Day Influencer award.
Driven by a fascination with what we are learning about neuroscience and the power of the five senses to enhance memory, knowledge retention and improve connections, she is continually seeking appropriate ways to design the most relevant meeting and event environments. She shares knowledge teaching Sustainable Event Management at BCIT and was a contributing author to the ninth edition of the Convention Industry Council manual. Tahira also loves cooking, hanging out with her family, and anything with bubbles!
“hi, my name is…”
The world knows me as: Tahira Endean
I’ve also been known to respond to the names: Mom
I am wicked good at: Wrestling alligators. The larger, more complicated the multi-faceted event is, the better I am at bringing all the pieces together with inspiring awesome teams.
Least favorite house chore: Oddly I have not brought my dishwashing by hand skills up to standards my husband deems acceptable… in 27 years.
My go-to guilty pleasure food is: I was going to say chocolate but I don’t feel guilty about it!
Favorite App: This week, Words with Friends.
Favorite quote: Just one? “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”― John Lennon
“The Hustle”
Job Title: Event Producer
Professional Superpower: Speed reading.
My primary role in the events industry is: Event Producer, responsible for overall strategic direction and design.
Years in the events industry: 23
To me, being an event hustler means: Staying curious and always looking forward.
The top 2 most surprising things I’ve learned about the events industry since starting are: How seriously undervalued what true event professionals do is. We are so used to being the “supporting act” and shining the lights on our clients that we have done a terrible job of telling the story of not only how hard we work, but how much we need to know – legal, risk, budgets, insurance, decor, food, wine, destinations, venues, and oh so much more. The second would be two-fold – on one hand how many people skirt on the edge of ethical behaviour and on the flip side how many seasoned professionals are truly and deeply kind and supportive.
How did you get your start in the events industry? After life-altering surgery on both arms and being forced from my first love (hairstyling) I went to school and obtained an Event Management Diploma, then did a practicum inside the Vancouver Convention Centre, and started my first job at a PCO (before the term PCO was popular).
My biggest event industry pet peeve is: Request for Proposals with 24 – 48 hour turn around and “creative, out of the box ideas” – and then NO response for MONTHS. Yes, I am shouting.
“No such thing as TMI”
One thing that would really surprise people to learn about me is: I make really good cookies.
You can only keep 2 albums in your entire music collection -those albums would be: Journey. Boston. Hey, you said albums!
10yr old me thought I’d grow up to be: A Hairstylist, which I did for 13 years before taking my Event and Convention Management Diploma – it seemed so glamorous!
Text or phone call? Informational/directional – text. Actual conversation – phone call.
Android or iPhone? Android.
Toilet paper roll – Over or under? On the roll.
Connect with Tahira:
Email: tahiralovesevents@gmail.com
Telephone: 604-837-5658
SMART TECH FOR EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
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