The Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) is expanding its international presence with the formation of EDPA Canada, marking the association’s 12th chapter and its first to represent the Canadian experiential industry at a national level.
The launch of EDPA Canada establishes a dedicated platform for professionals working across exhibitions, experiential marketing, live events, exhibit design, fabrication, and event production. The new chapter aims to strengthen industry connections, promote professional development, support advocacy, and encourage collaboration among businesses and individuals throughout Canada.
EDPA Canada will bring together exhibit houses, agencies, producers, fabricators, creative and technology partners, suppliers, and independent professionals. Through networking initiatives, educational programmes, and community engagement, the chapter intends to support the continued development of Canada’s experiential industry.
EDPA Canada Announces Its Inaugural Board
EDPA Canada has established its inaugural Canadian board, bringing together industry professionals to guide the chapter’s development and establish its priorities.
Carissa Stewart of wonderMakr has been appointed president, while Kim Davies of beMatrix Canada will serve as vice president. Vickie Veliji has taken on the role of treasurer, and Katie Raftis has been appointed secretary.
The founding leadership team will oversee the chapter’s initial activities, membership development, and engagement with experiential industry professionals across Canada.
Additional programming, membership opportunities, and participation details are expected to be announced as EDPA Canada continues to develop its national presence.
The chapter also intends to expand its leadership representation by involving professionals from different regions and sectors of the Canadian experiential, exhibition, and events industry.
Four Key Priorities for EDPA Canada
EDPA Canada will structure its activities around four central priorities: Connect, Educate, Advocate, and Give Back. These initiatives are designed to strengthen professional relationships, encourage knowledge sharing, increase industry recognition, and support communities across Canada.
Connect: Building a National Experiential Industry Network
The Connect initiative will focus on bringing together experiential industry professionals from across Canada’s regions and business sectors.
By creating opportunities for networking and collaboration, EDPA Canada aims to help exhibit builders, event producers, agencies, suppliers, and creative professionals establish meaningful industry relationships.
The initiative will also encourage greater communication between professionals working in different disciplines, helping businesses identify potential partners and share expertise across the Canadian market.
Educate: Supporting Professional Development
Education will be another important focus for EDPA Canada. Through its Educate initiative, the chapter plans to create opportunities for members to exchange knowledge, share professional experience, and learn from developments across the experiential industry.
As exhibition design, event production, creative technology, and experiential marketing continue to evolve, access to industry knowledge will remain an important resource for professionals and businesses.
EDPA Canada intends to encourage peer learning and professional development, helping members stay informed about emerging practices, technologies, and opportunities within the sector.
Advocate: Raising Awareness of the Industry’s Economic Impact
Through its Advocate initiative, EDPA Canada will work to increase recognition of the economic contribution and broader value of Canada’s experiential, exhibition, and live events industry.
The sector brings together a wide range of businesses and professionals, including designers, fabricators, production specialists, technology providers, suppliers, and event agencies.
EDPA Canada aims to provide a collective platform through which industry professionals can communicate shared priorities, discuss common challenges, and promote greater understanding of the sector’s contribution to the Canadian economy.
The initiative will also give members an opportunity to participate in discussions affecting the future of the experiential industry.
Give Back: Supporting Canadian Communities
The Give Back initiative will operate through EDPA’s existing Good Works programme, connecting the industry’s creative and technical capabilities with community-focused activities.
EDPA Canada plans to encourage members to contribute their expertise, production resources, and professional skills to initiatives that benefit Canadian communities.
By building community involvement into its activities, the chapter aims to create opportunities for experiential industry businesses and professionals to make a positive contribution beyond their commercial work.
EDPA Canada Focuses on National Representation
The formation of EDPA Canada reflects an effort to establish a unified national platform for a diverse industry that includes exhibition design, experiential marketing, live events, and creative production.
Commenting on the chapter’s development in EDPA’s July newsletter, President Carissa Stewart highlighted the importance of building a board that represents professionals from across Canada.
Stewart said the founding team aims to bring together a cross-section of the Canadian experiential, exhibit, and events industry. She also confirmed that outreach to prospective board members had begun, with interest already emerging as the chapter takes shape.
The emphasis on broad representation is intended to help EDPA Canada develop programmes and initiatives that reflect the needs of professionals across different regions and industry disciplines.
As membership grows, the chapter expects Canadian industry participants to play a role in shaping its future direction, activities, and priorities.
Strengthening Cross-Border Collaboration Between Canada and the United States
Cross-border collaboration will form another important part of EDPA Canada’s development.
By connecting Canadian professionals with EDPA’s established network in the United States, the chapter aims to create additional opportunities for business partnerships, professional networking, and the exchange of industry knowledge.
The initiative will provide a platform for Canadian members to connect with counterparts in the US, share experiences, and discuss challenges affecting businesses operating across both markets.
For companies involved in exhibition construction, experiential marketing, event production, and related services, stronger professional connections across the border may also support collaboration on projects and the sharing of technical expertise.
EDPA Canada will build on the association’s existing network to encourage communication between professionals while maintaining a dedicated space for discussing the needs and priorities of the Canadian market.
Membership and Participation Opportunities
As EDPA Canada establishes its operations, the chapter plans to introduce further membership opportunities, educational activities, and industry engagement programmes.
Experiential industry professionals from across Canada will be encouraged to participate in the chapter’s development and contribute to its initiatives.
Businesses and individuals working in exhibit design, fabrication, event production, creative services, experiential technology, and related sectors can contact the chapter’s leadership to learn more about involvement.
Carissa Stewart of wonderMakr, president of EDPA Canada, and Kim Davies of beMatrix Canada, vice president, are the primary contacts for professionals seeking additional information about the new chapter.
The organisation’s initial focus on networking, education, advocacy, and community involvement will guide its efforts to build a connected national community for Canada’s experiential industry.
EDPA Canada Marks a New Chapter for the Canadian Experiential Industry
The establishment of EDPA Canada represents a new organisational platform for professionals working across Canada’s exhibition, experiential, and live events sectors.
As EDPA’s 12th chapter and its first national chapter in Canada, the organisation will focus on bringing industry stakeholders together, supporting professional development, and increasing awareness of the sector’s economic and community contributions.
With its inaugural board in place, EDPA Canada is preparing to develop its membership network, introduce new programmes, and strengthen connections between Canadian and US industry professionals.
The chapter’s progress will depend on continued participation from businesses and individuals across the country as it develops initiatives that reflect the needs of Canada’s evolving experiential industry.
