<![CDATA[The Special Event Studio]]> http://tolive.com/venue-rentals-event-planners The Special Event Studio podcast series gets you up close and personal with the players of the event industry. Learn the stories of the interesting, exciting and captivating elements of the event world.

  • To learn more, visit: linktr.ee/Rentwithtolive

]]> RSS.com 2026.401.141116 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:45:12 GMT en fcd5c232-d3e3-57ef-b0a0-e26b70e708d1 https://media.rss.com/the-special-event-studio/20220308_100300_69ecd293ca59910374691ed482589454.jpg The Special Event Studio http://tolive.com/venue-rentals-event-planners yes TO Live 2023 Scott North Scott North false episodic podcast <![CDATA[Episode 24: Lisa Zivontsis]]> Joining Scott for the 24th episode of the podcast is Lisa Zivontsis, Owner and Project Manager of Meetings and Events at The Event Partner. Tune in as Lisa gets into the nitty gritty of how she got her start in the event industry, her experience managing The Event Partner thus far, shedding some light on the the flexibility, or the challenges, that starting your own business may bring. Original podcast recording launch: Sept. 21, 2023

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/1133628 f1b4a70c-9205-4c26-baba-480f0a971b2a 1210 full 2 2 4 4 false Fri, 22 Sep 2023 04:01:33 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 23: Christine Simpson]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/936895 49f4e1d4-53d2-4d09-8c73-282074922dbf 3439 full 2 2 3 3 false Thu, 04 May 2023 15:19:02 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 22: Bob Clarke]]> Joining us for episode 22 is none other than the multitalented Bob Clarke, Partner/General Manager at Jackson Events. Scott and Bob reminisce on their glory days playing hockey and discuss his journey transitioning into the world of events.

From stories on working with top athletes to his experience navigating events in both the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic climate, enjoy a truly edifying conversation.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/491972 03cc4fe7-cfb3-4cbc-8fea-cfee4430cfb7 3107 full 2 2 2 2 false Thu, 19 May 2022 15:51:47 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 21: Matt Farrell]]> Kicking off the new season of our podcast is none other than the Vice President of Operations at TO Live, Matt Farrell. Matt will be sharing his career journey and how he got introduced to the world of theatre. He'll also be talking about all the incredible COVID prevention installations at our venues and how TO live is working to welcome patrons into a safe and conducive space.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438981 3853d037-9dc8-4a56-8b8a-333cb5dd5817 2304 full 2 2 1 1 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 14:00:30 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 20 - Covid Conversations with Clyde Wagner]]> On a very special 20th episode of the podcast and our last episode of 2020, we have none other than TO Live’s own President and CEO, Clyde Wagner! In addition to talking about how our company has been navigating these difficult times, Clyde shares his own experiences in the arts and entertainment, moving from Broadway to film and television, to fashion, and how all of those experiences led him to his current station with TO Live.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438969 f38047cf-a552-48e4-991e-80d1849960cc 2197 full 1 1 20 20 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:51:24 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 19 - Covid Conversations with Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald]]> Joining us for Episode 19 of the podcast is entrepreneur, event manager, and President of TAP Resources - an Indigenous-owned/operated event and site selection firm, Tuesday Johnson-MacDonald. She shares her business back story with Scott, discussing the founding of TAP, her past as a social worker, and the importance of embracing hybrid live-streamed events during the current global pandemic.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438968 b26211cc-50a2-46f3-84c5-6011b548511c 1655 full 1 1 19 19 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:49:45 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 18 - Covid Conversations with Jennifer Menard]]> On Episode 18 of the Podcast Scott is joined by the Founder, CEO, and Director of Client Happiness at Staff Shop Inc, Jennifer Menard! Between getting creative with titles and talking about the influence her personal triumphs have had on her career, Jennifer also shares the nuances of running a global event staffing company prior to and during the current pandemic.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438965 0418ba98-5ea0-4be7-957a-01ddf481cb59 1459 full 1 1 18 18 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:48:20 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 17 - Covid Conversations with Evan Babins]]> After Scott and Will talk a bit of science, Evan Babins joins in to talk about his role as manager of event planning at Equitable Bank. Evan tells us what it’s like being named one of the top 25 young event planners from Special Events Magazine, and how he’s navigating the pandemic on both a professional level and on a personal level, with a recent addition to his family.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438958 38c0e834-80a8-4838-a826-5423ef2845c2 2284 full 1 1 17 17 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:42:55 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 16 - Covid Conversations with Erik Joyal and Kathleen Chiu]]> Joining us this week on the podcast are Erik Joyal the Owner of Ascari Hospitality Group and Kathleen Chiu, their Director of Events + Catering. In this episode, we get a glimpse of the work Erik and Kathleen do at Ascari, and we learn what it’s like running multiple restaurants and catering venues in the heart of downtown Toronto, both pre-and post-pandemic.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438957 b15a9129-6869-49ac-8312-4c0ca0639ec4 1473 full 1 1 16 16 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:41:18 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 15 - Covid Conversations with Sonia Borkar and Lizz McKenna]]> In this week’s episode of the podcast, we have our first guest paring with Sonia Borkar, the Manager of Weddings and Social Event Sales, and Lizz McKenna, the Corporate Event Sales Manager. Sonia and Lizz share with us their experiences working on the Steam Whistle event team, both in the past and present and as per usual, share their perspective on the future of the industry.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438950 9cd714ac-a0b3-4fd4-b9e4-6e43eaafcf38 2001 full 1 1 15 15 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:27:46 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 14 - Covid Conversations with John Sowden]]> Our guest for this week’s episode is the vice-president of The Butler Did It, one of Toronto’s leading event staffing companies. John talks about The Butler’s 30-year history, the strong working relationships they have formed with numerous venues across the city - including our very near and dear Meridian Hall, and how the pandemic will affect the event staffing of our industry!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438949 fff4e10e-cab6-4b69-a2fa-4c0f05fdbf85 1356 full 1 1 14 14 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:26:17 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 13 - Covid Conversations with Phil Pritchard]]> On a very special episode this week, Scott talks with Phil Pritchard, Vice President of the Hockey Hall of Fame and Keeper of the Stanley Cup! Giving us the inside scoop on life in the NHL Playoff Bubble, Phil tells us what it’s like travelling with Lord Stanley’s Cup (along with a few other trophies) and the evolution of professional hockey during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438946 d6cc4be6-ec19-4f2d-8bd1-283fb64bf5ff 2510 full 1 1 13 13 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:25:03 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 12 - Covid Conversations with Peter Carruthers]]> On this week’s episode, Scott is joined by Peter Carruthers, a special event entrepreneur who built up a number of businesses from Presidential Gourmet, to 43 Degrees Design and now acts as CEO for his own event consulting firm. P.H. Carruthers. Scott and Peter look back at their 27 years of friendship and as with all our guests, discuss the current and future implications of running events during the COVID pandemic.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438944 47b0a15e-ed90-49d8-ab49-079d15b5f214 2030 full 1 1 12 12 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:22:21 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 11 - Covid Conversations with Jian Magen]]> We’re incredibly excited to announce that this week’s guest is none other than the multi-talented Jian Magen, film producer and founder/owner of Magen Boys Entertainment Group. As per usual, host Scott picks Jian’s brain, gathering his insights on our industry as it stands, his current and future endeavours, and (unexpectedly) the importance of a good pair of underwear. You don’t want to miss this one!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438942 a56e2655-044a-4952-8b04-71e99d86c17f 2182 full 1 1 11 11 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:21:24 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 10 - Covid Conversations with Aaron Stocco]]> For our 10th Episode, we take a walk across the street (figuratively) and talk to Aaron Stocco, Manager of Special Events and Hospitality from our neighbouring venue, Hockey Hall of Fame. Scott shares a little about his experience working at the HHOF in the past and the pair reminisce and reflect on the past, present and future of events for the two premier event venues on Front Street.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438940 0642efee-2023-491e-81f7-0a81373a462f 1675 full 1 1 10 10 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:20:16 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 9 - Covid Conversations with Aidan Cosgrave]]> Things get a little more technical on the podcast this week as Scott speaks with Aidan Cosgrave - event management/production guru and Owner of J.S.T Productions. We ask him what it's like working production for some of the largest events in our building and how he sees his aspect of the events industry evolving in the near future.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438938 46c639f8-7145-4a9b-84de-4a6c335c74ab 1772 full 1 1 9 9 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:16:26 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 8 - Covid Conversations with Trevor Thompson]]> On a very special episode 8 of the Podcast, Scott is joined by fellow Dresden-ite Trevor Thompson - Reporter/Host for Fox Sports Detroit. Trevor not only provides some welcome hometown banter with our host but also shares what it’s like working in the sports industry and how they’ve adapted live broadcast events to deal with the ongoing global health crisis.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438937 6363eff6-76f3-412e-a254-1da9293da310 1444 full 1 1 8 8 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:15:21 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 7 - Covid Conversations with Jonathan Fruitman]]> Scott meets with Jonathan Fruitman, Director of Sales & Marketing for EventSource to discuss the ins and outs of Event Marketing across a vast and diverse industry, while also looking at the numerous effects COVID-19 has had and will continue to have on it.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438933 a0513a1f-2861-4c65-b93c-5c519cb34a27 1227 full 1 1 7 7 false Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:12:34 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 6- Covid Conversations with Janice Cardinale]]> Our guest this week is Janice Cardinale, Chief Huntress at The Idea Hunter. From sourcing event talent to finding the perfect artist to make any event Instagram-worthy, Janice talks shop with Scott, discussing the nuances of event head-hunting as well as the current and future event industry landscape!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438325 80d3c043-2122-4bf1-a345-7f1becd98b6c 1189 full 1 1 6 6 false Wed, 30 Mar 2022 22:10:19 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 5 - Covid Conversations with Bruce Berga]]> Chef Bruce Berga discusses what it’s like to have a unique role inside the TO Live family, commanding the kitchen for private events and conferences at our very own Meridian Hall. From past, near-present, and the now uncertain future, Bruce highlights what his plan is for special event food service going forward.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438322 22b0d14b-dc9e-4e4c-b781-f8d3f9c57419 1235 full 1 1 5 5 false Wed, 30 Mar 2022 22:06:58 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 4 - Covid Conversations with Rob Dittmer]]> One of the premier event designers in Toronto, Rob Dittmer, talks about his experiences at the helm of d3sign, the company he formed 13 years ago. Like many of our guests, he also discusses how he sees the events industry changing due to the pandemic, and he and host Scott North wax poetically about their time working together - including a certain Youtube video they made together last summer.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438321 ac784eed-b1d7-4208-91aa-c9a0543aae82 1304 full 1 1 4 4 false Wed, 30 Mar 2022 22:01:55 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 3 - Covid Conversations with Anju King]]> Today’s episode features Anju King, Director of Events and Ticketing at Bell Media. Anju shares some of her experiences spearheading Events and Ticketing with Bell and her connection to Meridian Hall through the annual CTV Upfront and provides her take on how a company as large as Bell Media is adapting all of their events to a constantly changing private events landscape.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438318 4c88ddc2-5d20-4f56-b9e6-bc8b5805529b 1654 full 1 1 3 3 false Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:59:14 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 2 - Covid Conversations with Kyle Brooks]]> Kyle Brooks - CEO of Bespoke Audio Visual, an event media company based out of Toronto, tells Scott all about the technological nuances of staging and setup of past, present, and future events. Kyle also talks about how what his business looks like amid the pandemic and the importance of adapting the always-changing AV technologies and media to an evolving events industry.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/438209 f32248e1-86be-403f-b868-3e524aa4b895 1448 full 1 1 2 2 false Wed, 30 Mar 2022 20:07:41 GMT <![CDATA[Episode 1 - Covid Conversations with Andrew Jackson]]> Guest Andrew Jackson - the founder of Jackson Events, tells us what it's like acting as a liaison between event planners and sports superstars, how he makes the two come together for special events and what that might look like in a socially distant future. He also shares what it’s like working with Canadian Hockey great Wendel Clark and growing up with golf aficionado (and podcast host) Scott North.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-special-event-studio/413692 158e9260-cb57-4c7d-8a6d-9c87069a822a 1835 full 1 1 1 1 false Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:24:32 GMT