Event Overview
In 2024, I played a pivotal role in organizing Yes Toronto’s largest annual meetup at Trinity Bellwoods Park. The event brought together over 150 attendees from around the globe for a full day of connection, engagement, and immersive activities. This initiative aimed to foster a sense of belonging, particularly for newcomers to Canada and tourists, creating a space for people to form meaningful relationships and feel part of a vibrant community.
Pre-Event Preparation
To ensure the event’s success, I undertook multiple responsibilities:
- Social Media and Guerrilla Promotion:
- Designed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy, creating Instagram reels and leveraging platform analytics to maximize reach and engagement.
- Conducted on-ground promotions, directly engaging with the public to spread awareness about the community and the event.
- Sponsorship Acquisition:
- Proactively reached out to small businesses, securing 10 sponsorships. Contributions included essential materials such as water access, tubs for the ice bath activity, and discounted or free food for participants.
- Event Logistics:
- Coordinated all logistics, ensuring the smooth execution of activities. This included securing permits, arranging necessary equipment, and finalizing the event schedule.

Day-of Execution
On the day of the event, I wore multiple hats:
- Master of Ceremonies:
- Acted as the MC, leading most activities and ensuring active participation while maintaining a lively and engaging atmosphere.
- Activity Management:
- Oversaw a diverse range of activities, including:
- Icebreaker games and deep-connection exercises.
- Sports events like spikeball tournaments and an obstacle course race.
- Challenges encouraging attendees to interact with strangers beyond their immediate circles.
- Unique experiences like ice baths, breathwork sessions, and a mini music concert.
- Oversaw a diverse range of activities, including:
- Community Engagement:
- Personally engaged with attendees, ensuring they felt welcomed and included. This was particularly impactful for those new to the country, providing them with a supportive introduction to the community.
- Media Coverage:
- Captured the event through professional-grade photos and videos, later used for post-event promotions.

Results and Impact
The event exceeded expectations, yielding measurable outcomes:
- Community Growth:
- Membership base increased by 40% following the event.
- Enhanced Engagement:
- Social media engagement saw a 65% uptick, driven by new members following and tagging our community in posts.
- Participant Feedback:
- Attendees highlighted it as one of their best experiences in Canada. Newcomers particularly valued the opportunity to forge friendships and integrate into a dynamic community.
Key Takeaways
The success of this event underscores the importance of meticulous planning, strategic promotion, and genuine community engagement. From securing sponsorships to managing on-the-ground execution, this experience demonstrated my ability to create immersive, impactful events that leave lasting impressions—a skill set I’m eager to bring to experiential marketing initiatives on a larger scale.