Jim Stewart | Department Head | Halifax
Jim has played an active role in the Nova Scotia festivals and events community since 1995. Over the years Jim has been involved with a diverse selection of events including the East Coast Music Awards and Conference (ECMA), Nova Scotia Music Week, Folk Alliance Canada’s Rendezvous Folk, and the Tourism 
Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s (TIANS) Festivals and Events Conference.
A long serving board member of Music Nova Scotia, Jim served as the organization’s President from 2001 to 2003. In November of 2007 he was presented with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his dedication and service. In addition, he served as a member of the board of directors of Folk Alliance Canada, the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s Festival and Events Committee and Conference Committee, and was awarded “The Golden Pineapple” for his commitment to the Nova Scotia Tourism Industry. Jim is the Chair of the Reason for Hope Society, a not-for-profit organization that actively helps to raise awareness for cancer related initiatives.
Jim started with the Centre for Arts and Technology in 2005. He believes that the best way for students to learn how to be an Event and Promotion Manager is to actually be an Event and Promotions Manager. His students work with real clients on real events in the community, from the Canada Games, to book launches to festivals. Not only do they contribute to events in the community but they also use their skills to enrich the campus atmosphere and organize events within the school.
Tommi Hanley | Lead Instructor | Kelowna
Tommi has worked in the events and promotions industry since graduating with a BAA in Journalism from Toronto’s Ryerson University over 25 years ago.
After working as the Editor for Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine, Tommi launched Thompson Lloyd Communications (TLC), which specialized in marketing, promotions and public relations. Her clients included Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Vancouver Molson Indy, Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Kelowna, Inc., Manteo Resort, Beyond Wrapture Day Spas, and more. In 2005, Tommi also launched Shop the Valley Destination Management, which provides destination management services for corporate, association, and not-for-profit meetings and incentive travel markets.
Tommie was instrumental to the creation of the Canadian Meeting & Incentive Travel Symposium and Trade Show (now IncentiveWorks). Now in its 16th year, it is considered to be the premier show of its kind in Canada, attracting more than 400 international exhibitors and 3,000 delegates every year. Tommi served on the Board of Directors of SITE Canada (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives) for five years, including two terms as elected president. She was the first woman in Canada to attain the Certified Incentive Travel Executive (CITE) designation from SITE.
