This year’s Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) reminded us why it continues to be such an important gathering for our industry. Over two days, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre became a hub of conversation, discovery, and inspiration. For us at bb Blanc, it was a chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and share in the collective energy that makes live events so impactful.
A Community Coming Together
CMEE has always been more than a tradeshow. It’s where event professionals across Canada come together to learn, network, and explore what’s next. This year was no exception. The floor was buzzing with activity, educational sessions were full, and the sense of community was stronger than ever.
We were privileged to partner with CMEE for the fourth consecutive year, supporting the production that brought so many of this year’s moments to life. Central to that partnership was the bb Blanc Experience Hub, a stage we designed to not only host keynotes and sessions, but to spark conversation, engagement, and inspiration.At bb Blanc, our work goes far beyond technical execution. Every production is the result of a full team effort — blending creativity, design, innovation, technical expertise, project management, and marketing insight. It’s this collaboration across disciplines that allows us to craft experiences that resonate and set new benchmarks for what live events can achieve.
A Keynote to Remember
One of the defining highlights of CMEE 2025 was the keynote delivered by Julius Solaris, one of the most influential voices in global event strategy. In partnership with CMEE, bb Blanc was proud to help bring Julius to Toronto and host him on the bb Blanc Experience Hub stage — where he spoke to a packed audience eager to explore his perspective on innovation, engagement, and the evolving role of live events.
Julius delivered with insight and clarity, sparking conversations that resonated well beyond the stage. And the dialogue didn’t end there — immediately following his keynote, we welcomed attendees to a live Q&A at the bb Blanc booth, where they had the rare opportunity to connect with Julius more directly, ask questions, and exchange ideas in a more personal setting.
Thank You
To everyone who joined us at CMEE 2025 — whether you attended a session, stopped by our booth, or simply said hello — thank you. These connections remind us why we do what we do: to create experiences that resonate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.
Looking Forward
At bb Blanc, we believe that The Experience is Everything. CMEE 2025 gave us the chance to celebrate the power of live events and reaffirm our commitment to pushing creative boundaries, embracing new technologies, and advancing the art of audiovisual production.
As we look ahead, our focus remains on partnering with clients to design experiences that are immersive, impactful, and unforgettable — whether on a stage, across a conference floor, or within a virtual space. With every production, we continue to blend creativity, innovation, and technical expertise to deliver moments that not only meet expectations but redefine them.
Here’s to the conversations we started at CMEE 2025 — and to the experiences still to come.
About the Author
Mark Awad is the Director of Business Development at bb Blanc, bringing over 18 years of expertise in face-to-face marketing and the meetings and events industry. His extensive background includes managing trade show and exhibit programs as well as experiential activations for a range of corporations and leading brands across North America. Since joining bb Blanc in 2013, Mark has been pivotal in showcasing the company's transformative capabilities to potential partners, forging enduring relationships with some of Canada's top organizations and associations. A prominent figure in the industry, he frequently serves as a panelist at various conferences and contributes to several blogs and publications. In 2022, Mark was honoured with the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Toronto Chapter’s 2021 Literary Award. He currently resides in Orangeville, Ontario with his wife and two children.
