OUR TEAM
Paul Forrest – Director
Paul is a fierce event advocate and leader with over 15 years' experience with major cultural and tourism events. Being a member of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Bid Committee, he helped secure the Games for the region as well as led various elements of its direct delivery. Paul has worked on various major events such as Canoe '22, the Halifax Pride Festival, Canoe '09 and the 2008 IIHF World Championship.
Stephen MacDougall – Senior Event Advisor
Stephen has a diverse background in the events industry having worked in a variety of roles ranging from stage manager to event manager to marketing and communications manager. He was part of the event staff for numerous festivals and events including the PEI 2014 Celebrations, East Coast Music Awards, and Festival of Small Halls. He has served on the Board of Directors with Music Nova Scotia, the East Coast Music Association, and Music PEI.
Mike MacSween – Senior Event Advisor
Having worked with Celtic Colours International Festival for the past 7 years – 5 as Executive Director – Mike brings extensive experience as a practitioner in the events world to his role with Events Nova Scotia. Mike has also worked with the Province as a Corporate Strategist with Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. With his breadth of experience and passion for events, Mike is eager to support events organizers across the province.
Lauren Heaslip - Event Officer
Lauren is a recent graduate of Dalhousie University and the University of King's College. She has been continuing her studies at the University of Toronto. Her experience has been in hospitality and sport, working in event coordination and marketing.
Stacey Oxner – Director (currently on secondment)
Stacey is passionate about Nova Scotia and has helped provide the province with significant exposure at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Halifax 2010 Canada Games, and the World Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships in 2009. Most recently, Stacey help put Nova Scotia on the national stage, managing hundreds of volunteers and a Host Committee as Chair of Country Music Week 2015 and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards Show.
Neal Alderson – Senior Event Advisor (currently on secondment)
With over 19 years of experience in the major event industry, Neal understands the role events can play for a community in achieving their economic, social and cultural objectives. Neal has helped communities across Nova Scotia attract and execute major events. Neal is also a board member of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA).
