Maggianne Heindl, a recent graduate from Durham College’s (DC) Event Planning diploma program, will be gaining hands-on experience planning the prestigious 2024 Canadian Innovation Conference after receiving the new Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Canada East Chapter Student Scholarship last month. Heindl was also awarded complimentary registration, round-trip flights, and hotel accommodations to attend the conference in Saskatoon this November.

Heindl called the student scholarship an amazing opportunity and said she felt honoured and overwhelmed when she found out she was chosen.

“When I got the call, it was a very surreal feeling,” she said. “This will open countless doors for me and will be a major milestone in my professional journey.”

The new scholarship provides an incredible advantage for emerging event planning professionals by awarding them an opportunity to participate actively in the planning process of the conference. This educational experience will not only help grow Heindl’s network, along with her resume, but also give her meaningful real-world experience.

“The exposure Maggianne will have to a large scale, multi-faceted event, the professionals producing the event and the contingent of industry professionals attending the event is invaluable,” said Christine Baily, Professor, Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science at DC. “I am so pleased for her; it is a well-deserved award for a highly engaged graduate, and I am certain it will launch her career.”

Heindl sharpened her event planning and leadership skills during her time at DC both inside and outside the classroom while being the Events Committee Chair for DC’s PCMA Student Chapter, and by also volunteering on the PCMA Canada E-Marketing and Communications Committee, both of which demonstrated the importance of getting involved in the opportunities DC provides.

“My volunteer work really helped me stand out in the application process of this scholarship because I was already putting forth my time and effort into something that I loved,” Heindl says. “It was one thing that helped me excel.”

When asked about what the future has in store, she said she’s looking forward to growing her career in event planning while also completing DC’s Finance- Business Administration program, as it complements her newly acquired skills and connections. “The faculty in both programs are incredible and always available to help,” Heindl says. “They share a common goal of helping students succeed.”

Heindl expressed her gratitude for DC’s supportive community and expert faculty who believed in her and helped her grow both academically and personally.

“Durham College has truly been a game-changer for me,” she says. “It opened so many doors, allowing me to network with incredible people and providing me with opportunities that I never thought possible.”