This week the LESA blog spotlights one of our dedicated staff members–Kathy Fortier. Kathy is our Event Delivery and Business Development Lead and has worked with LESA for sixteen years. During her time at LESA, Kathy has planned and coordinated dozens of multi-day conferences, hundreds of in-person programs, and several webinars since the launch of online LESA programs in 2020. Scroll below to learn more about Kathy and to get a sneak peek into the work that goes into the planning and delivery of LESA’s annual Refresher conference.
Depending on the program format and length, the planning of LESA programs begins anywhere from two years to a few months in advance of a program running. Multi-day conferences such as LESA’s Refresher 2023: Family Law (typically planned in mountain settings) draws a large attendance. The venue for a multi-day Refresher conference is typically booked years in advance with considerations given to every aspect of the conference, including learning spaces, networking breaks, and entertainment.
Other considerations when planning a multi-day conference include guest room availability/pricing and food and beverage options for each day. These conferences are also carefully scheduled to avoid coinciding with school vacations such as spring break, fall break, or teachers’ conventions and are often held over a weekend to minimize time away from one’s practice.
“When we plan the Refresher, we aim to choose a time that is safer to travel Alberta highways (late spring or late fall) that also rests in shoulder season so we can offer a better room rate for our attendees.”
The Refresher offers unique opportunities to network with colleagues. Faculty are typically very well known in their area of law and offer insight, experience, and expertise to attendees. The location of LESA’s Refresher conference, along with networking breaks and entertainment, really helps to set the Refresher apart from other LESA programs. With the Refresher typically held in a mountain setting with tourist attractions, it provides attendees and faculty the opportunity to bring their families along and make a mini vacation out of the time spent away from home.
Kathy enjoys the opportunity to work alongside various venues. With having planned many multi-day conferences in her time at LESA, and before LESA, Kathy has had the opportunity to work with some venues for over 30 years and has formed many close relationships with her contacts there – relationships that have turned into friendships as a result. Planning multi-day conferences also provides Kathy with the opportunity to foster relationships with LESA’s volunteers. She feels fortunate to work with so many of LESA’s volunteers more than once.
Many thanks to Kathy! LESA is greatly benefited by her passion for planning great events. If you are attending this year’s Refresher conference, you can look forward to seeing her bright smile onsite in Jasper.
