A Certified Special Event Planner with over 18 years of experience in the field, Dana Zita is someone her colleagues consult for her skills and expertise. She is an active member of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and a regular instructor for the Sport & Event Marketing Program at George Brown College. Dana approaches an event with a creative edge, and is an expert at matching budgets and timeliness to client’s goals.

Dana was born and raised in Toronto and from an early age, began to enjoy the wonderful advantages of living in a first class city. Dana was educated at the University of Toronto and began her career in the industry as a tour guide during summer vacation, an illustrious start to a career.

• Fifteen years in conference and event management.
• Extensive experience servicing a wide range of clients including various government ministry offices, corporations and associations.
• Conceptual development of special events.
• Creating and coordinating innovative leisure programs.
• Staff scheduling for programs involving 5 to 22,000 attendees.
• Managing exhibitions, product launches and poster displays.
• Developing and monitoring general office operations.
• Researching new suppliers and facilities to ensure cost efficiency and reliability.

• Honours Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College, Toronto
• CSEP, Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP is the first accreditation awarded to professionals in the special events industry. Only 150 designations have been awarded internationally and only 5 Canadian professionals have qualified.)

• The International Special Events Society
• Toronto Chapter President, 1995 and 1996
• Esprit Winner, 1996 (Best ISES Team Effort)
• International Board of Governors 1997-2000
• Chair, International Education Committee, 2000
• Esprit Nominee, 2000 (Best Industry Contribution)
• Canadian Hotel Marketing and Sales Executive Director of Affiliates, 1994/95
• Chair of the Designation Advisory Council, 1998-2000
• Affiliate of the Year, 1999/2000
• Festivals and Events Ontario – Conference Planning Committee
• Ontario Tourism Education Council – task force to establish and validate standards for the Special Events Industry across Canada
• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE)