Youth Leaders of Tomorrow
With the competitiveness of today's working force, GlobalFest realized a number of opportunities and challenges within the industry:
- An event's success depends on teamwork and on ideas generated by bringing new people into the organization
- In the industry, most of the current successful major event organizers are aging and there are few training or mentorship programs to support the development of future industry leaders
- The above mentioned challenges can only be met with the support of institutions in the city's corporate and educational communities
For these reasons, GlobalFest along with the support of Chevron Canada Resources and First Calgary Financial, have led the initiative in developing a future corps of active and informed community leaders: the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow (YLOT). The YLOT program is a youth mentorship initiative designed to offer a career-building experience for this city's young and upcoming leaders.
Affectionately referred to as YLOTs, these individuals are sought out and seen as the some of the best that this city's post-secondary educational institutions have to offer. With undergraduate backgrounds ranging from Business Degrees at the Haskayne School of Business to Event Management Diplomas at Bow Valley College, these students are actively trained in the complexities and intricacies of event production.
YLOT interns are actively involved in the production, marketing, programming, procurement, client services, volunteer management, and event coordination of the organization's summer events. For post-secondary students, the YLOT program helps these young leaders develop the foundation and skills necessary to remain competitive in today's working world. Without the support of institutions like Chevron Canada Resources and First Calgary Financial, these one-of-a-kind experiences and opportunities would never be possible for these students.
Furthering the program in 2009, GlobalFest introduced a corporate mentoring opportunity inviting Chevron Canada Resources, a long time YLOT sponsor to enhance their participation. A number of staff members from Chevron volunteered to participate in the mentorship program opportunity.
"Kanut (Chevron Canada Resources, YLOT Mentor) helped me learn how to deal with so many common issues that happen to students with no experience in the workplace. He really helped me communicate better with colleagues in the industry as well as learn how to adapt to the rough circumstances that can sometimes occur"
---Michelle Belisario, Administrative Coordinator / 2010 & 2011 YLOT
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schedule:
- Human Rights Forum presented by TD
- Aug. 13-17
- Chinatown Street Festival
- Aug. 11
- Trico Homes International Fireworks Festival & OneWorld Festival
- Aug. 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26
Meet the YLOTs!!!!
Mark Baladad
Production Coordinator
Mark has more than five years experience in coordinating events, and is a particularly high-quality salesman with great verbal and written communication skills. Mark takes this experience and is currently fine tuning his skills in event production at Bow Valley College, and will graduate with a diploma in Event Management.
Mark is the sort of person that works hard on the task at hand, but is always available to contribute back to the community he is a part of. From helping with sound engineering for UNITY Charity to representing the students of Bow Valley College as Vice President of the Students' Association, he knows what is important to the big picture.
As much of the marketing strategy relies on word of mouth, Mark spends a lot of time promoting GlobalFest to everyone he spends time with.
Mark is also responsible for coordinating small events such as grand opening parties, product launches, and art show openings with his own independent company, "FreshFlow Event Management". As the Production Coordinator, Mark (along with his peers) plays an instrumental role in the execution of GlobalFest. Mark works closely with clients and vendors to determine the scope of the event in their eyes and how best to accommodate them.
Finally, Mark is responsible, as is the rest of the team, in facilitating the setup and tear down of each event. This can mean that every detail that may have been overlooked is his responsibility. Therefore, a hard working and attentive attitude makes the difference.
With the YLOT Program, Mark has gained multitudes of experience in the event industry, and will be committing his time into giving back to the community and to Calgary's youth after GlobalFest. With the YLOT Program, Mark has gained multitudes of experience in his first year involvement with GlobalFest. The Festival means a lot to him, just knowing that thousands of people across Calgary have smiles on their faces, and are having a great time. After his involvement with the GlobalFest Youth Forum and working with UNITY Charity, he has decided to commit time giving back to the community and to Calgary's youth after GlobalFest.
Jasmine Nielsen
Volunteer Coordinator
Jasmine is a fourth year student at the University of Victoria, completing a double major in Environmental Studies and Women's Studies. Raised in Calgary, Jasmine has returned to the city for the summer to work as GlobalFest's volunteer coordinator through the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
Jasmine is passionate about social justice and sustainability issues. Since 2007, she has volunteered as the assistant director of Canadian-Peruvian Charity Mosqoy, which supports Quechua youth seeking post secondary education in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Jasmine has also had the opportunity to intern with the BC Health Services Emergency Management Unit and the Georgia Strait Alliance's Coastal Stewards of Tomorrow Program.
Lisa Fleming
Sponsorship Fulfillment / VIP Hospitality Village Coordinator
Lisa is a student at the University of Calgary, studying Tourism and Marketing, and she will graduate with a Bachelor of Hotel Resort Management. She aspires to be an event planner dedicated to working with the community, and is grateful for the networking opportunities GlobalFest has presented her. The YLOT program has exposed Lisa to new perspectives of what "doing good in the community" can achieve, and how fulfilling it can be. Lisa feels inspired knowing that she is contributing to such a great event, and bringing her community together to share in multicultural activities.
Michelle Belisario
Executive Assistant and Administrative Coordinator
Michelle is a second year student at Mount Royal University majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Biology. Michelle completed an internship with GlobalFest last year and is returning for the second time as the Executive Assistant and Administrative Coordinator through the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
Michelle's experience at GlobalFest has opened her eyes to different multicultural experiences available in Calgary. Interning with GlobalFest has taught Michelle how diversity helps people and their community. She is thrilled and excited for this year's event and is hoping to return for a third year in hopes of contributing further to the community. Michelle's passions include music, riding her motorcycle and spending quality time with friends. After GlobalFest, Michelle hopes to find a career in forensic science or work in the field of anthropology.
Bryan Francisco
Marketing & Communications Director / Human Rights Forum Development Coordinator
Bryan Francisco is a fourth year Communications student at the University of Calgary. He is returning to GlobalFest for his second Cooperative Education term (course accredited) with the organization and the YLOT program. As a Marketing Coordinator for last year's festival, Bryan was very excited to finally utilize the classroom skills and theories he had been honing throughout his academic pursuits.
Bryan cites August 20, Opening Day of GlobalFest 2010, as one of the pivotal moments of his life: "I remember standing on a hill, just as the sun was about to go down, and watching as the amount of people in the viewing area for the fireworks went from a few dozen to over 15 000 people in only a few minutes. I was in awe of what my organization, my volunteer team, my fellow interns, and my own hard work was capable of".
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