About

We believe event planning is more than just “problem solving.” Our approach hinges on innovation, collaborative solutions and a foundation of strong project management. CanPlan’s managing partners hold more than 40 years of event industry experience and are regarded as industry leaders in their sectors. And, with a carefully curated list of “best-in-industry” strategic partners, we know just the right people to bring in to ensure our client’s expectations are exceeded again and again.

Solutions That Go Beyond Just

Problem Solving

Managing Partner

Patricia Pearson CMP

Patricia Pearson, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), is a Managing Partner of CanPlan Event & Conference Services with over 2 decades of experience in the event and conference management industry, nationally and abroad. She has held the roles of Senior Event Manager at Brent Moore & Associates Inc. and Catering and Conference Services Lead at Chateau Cartier Resort and Spa. Patricia is a strong proponent for the role event planners play in curating meaningful experiences for their clients; founded in relationship and mutual understanding.

Fluently bilingual in French and English, Patricia can seamlessly navigate multicultural environments with the highest degree of professionalism and excellence. Patricia is the founder of Destination Direct Canada and CanPlan’s signature REVEAL events. She was a trusted team member delivering the 44^th G7 Summit. has been instrumental in the successful delivery of multiple events by such organizations as the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Certified Professional Bookkeepers, the Canadian Association of Gerontology, the Canadian Bar Association. She has also supported overseas commemorative ceremonies for Veterans Affairs Canada in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

A strong believer in giving back to the event planning industry, Patricia has served as President of CanSPEP (Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners) and has made significant contributions as a past Board member with MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and CSAE (Canadian Society of Association Executives).

Managing Partner

Maria Montesinos DES

Maria Montesinos, Digital Event Specialist (DES), is a Managing Partner of CanPlan Event & Conference Services with more than 2 decades of experience in the hospitality and meeting industries. Established as a highly sought after logistics expert in high-profile international events; Maria has organized events, site logistics and travel for Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Department of National Defence, and the Canadian Forces College, domestically and abroad. Her guest list has included Members of Parliament, Ministers, foreign diplomats, the Prime Minister of Canada, and distinguished members of the Royal Family.

Maria’s unwavering confidence and precision have made her a highly sought after planner for high-profile clients that rely on meticulous attention to detail. Notably, she has held the roles of Senior Event and Exhibits Manager at SOMOS Consulting/Antian Professional Services, Senior Event Manager at MKI Travel & Conference Management, and Accommodations Manager for the 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games in Toronto.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria’s bilingual proficiency enhances her ability to connect with diverse audiences domestically and abroad.

Managing Partner

Bettyanne Sherrer CMP, CMM, DES

Bettyanne Sherrer, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Meeting Manager (CMM), and Digital Event Specialist (DES), is a Managing Partner of CanPlan Event & Conference Services. She believes strongly in the power and transformative potential of events and the role event planners have in being facilitators of transformation. In Bettyanne’s 30 years as an event planner, she has spearheaded the strategic design, operational development, and logistical delivery of more than 1,000 events for associations and corporations around the world.

Throughout her career, Bettyanne has played pivotal roles in organizations like the MPI Global Foundation, MPI Foundation Canada, and BEICC (now MMBC). She has been the lead on events such as “Canada Rocks” and orchestrated event portfolios at WEC (World Education Congress) and IMEX America. She currently provides outsanding event leadership for organizations such as the CiMARE, SNAME, CBAA, and CAR.

Bettyanne actively volunteers her time with events like the 2021 CanSPEP National Conference, the first simultaneous in-person and digital (hybrid) event for Canada’s business events sector.

A notable champion for accessibility, in 2023, Bettyanne was recognized for outstanding logistical achievements in accessibility and accommodation as the lead planner of the 18th Deafblind International World Conference.

Bettyanne’s tireless work has earned her multiple awards, including the 2010 CanSPEP Joy Fox Award for Innovation, 2017 CanSPEP President’s Award, and the 2023 CanSPEP Excellence in Leadership Award. In 2013, she was the Industry Planner inductee into the Canadian Meetings + Events Expo Hall of Fame. She was also the recipient of the PCMA Canada East President’s Award in 2018. Bettyanne became the first double inductee into the Canadian Meetings + Events Expo’s Hall of Fame in 2019, receiving The Big Idea award for her innovative work with the VIPlane initiative. In 2024, Bettyanne’s work with the Deafblind International event earned awards for Best Conference and Best Use of Technology at the Canadian Event Awards.

Managing Partner

Angela Chorney

Angela Chorney is a Managing Partner of CanPlan Event & Conference Services with over a decade of expertise in meticulously organizing meetings and conferences across Canada. In addition to being a member of CanSPEP (Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners), she holds a Certificate in Advanced Project Management and a degree in education. She previously served as a Paralegal and Project Lead in Legal Services for the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General.

Angela’s unmatched dedication to accessibility, efficiency, and innovation is a defining characteristic that is praised by every client she works with. Her experience has included working with the Canadian Business Aviation Association, Canadian Association of Radiologists, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; as a lead planner, managing registration processes, coordinating speaker logistics, and overseeing project management.

A strong proponent of using “why” as a catalyst for informing “what and how”, Angela believes in the curious exploration of both in-the-box and out-of-the-box solutions when planning events. Combined with her intentional stewardship of long-lasting client relationships, she continues to earn consistent repeat business and accolades from the clients she works with.

Senior Event Manager

Lindsay DenBoer

Lindsay DenBoer is a Senior Event Planner at CanPlan Event & Conference Services, specializing in planning and delivering diverse events across Canada for over a decade, from intimate business meetings to large congresses. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa and an Events Management Certificate from Algonquin College.

Lindsay’s experience has included roles at Brent Moore and Associates, the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Canadian Paediatric Society. She has managed pre-event, on-site, and post-event tasks related to tradeshow logistics, poster abstracts, accommodations, speaker management and many more. At CanPlan, she has delivered events for clients such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Energy Storage Canada, and Vividata. She has also worked on portfolios of esteemed clients such as Deaf Blind International and the Canadian Association of Optometrists.

With vast technical proficiency in event software and technology, Lindsay’s contributions are often the hinge-points of successful outcomes. Lindsay prioritizes cultivating deep understanding of client priorities with a user-centric approach, crafting strategies that consistently yield exceptional results.

Event Coordinator

Cassidy McIntosh

Cassidy McIntosh is an Event Coordinator at CanPlan Event & Conference Services with over a decade of customer service experience. She holds a Business Management Diploma and her previous experience has included a Communications and Events Internship with CPB Canada; providing her with a foundational understanding of both in-person and virtual event environments. Cassidy embraces challenges, learns from experienced colleagues, and actively contributes to the company’s growth and success.

Cassidy possesses a natural talent for fearlessly embracing challenges, troubleshooting and making swift decisions. Her technological prowess for mastering event planning technology tools is an incredible asset to every client she works with.

Site Selection Specialist

Hester Whatman

Hester Whatman is a site selection specialist at CanPlan Event & Conference Services with over 30 years of experience in the meetings and hospitality industry. She is an active member of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), and CSAE (Canadian Society of Association Executives), where she served on the National Board of Directors from 2007 to 2013 and was honoured with the 2014 Griner Award for exceptional and outstanding contributions to the association.

Hester’s passion to help clients achieve their goals is driven by genuine desire for their success. Known for her straightforward communication style, professionalism, and diligence, she is regarded as an irreplaceable advisor on site selection by many trusted clients.

Contact Us

Have an idea or inquiry you’d like to explore?
We’d love to hear about it on a discovery call.