This interactive training session is designed to empower festival organizers with the knowledge and tools they need to attract, recruit, and retain enthusiastic volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of any successful festival, and understanding how to engage them effectively is critical to creating memorable events.

About the Speaker

Delores MacAdam, Manager of Marketing and Communication for the City of Ottawa, a seasoned leader with over 40 years of experience in events, marketing, and government relations. Her work fosters economic and cultural engagement across Ottawa.

As a former President of Festivals and Events Ontario, Delores advocated for event spaces and developed educational programs, earning her induction into the FEO Hall of Fame. She also teaches at the IFEA Executive Event Management School and advises Algonquin College’s BBA in Event Management.

Delores has managed volunteers and led major events, including Winterlude, FIFA 2015, and Canada Day. She chairs the Stewart Park Music Festival, drawing 20,000 attendees annually.

A Cape Breton native, she enjoys playing fiddle, studying at Gaelic College, and performing with the Blues Skies Orchestra.