The 2009 Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners has elected to hold their annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, next November.

“At the 2009 conference, we're focusing on local talent, local food, using the skills and expertise at the destination rather than bringing in people from outside", according to Rita Plaskett, chair of the conference.

"Halifax happens to have a tremendous amount of all of the above."

The conference aims to provide new tools to event planners, in order to rethink their operation of business in the changing economic environment.

"It is increasingly important to experience and understand a destination," she explains. "The city has a warmth that embraces hospitality partners looking to host Halifax events."

The local host committee intends to highlight all the best qualities of Halifax to the visiting attendees, working in collaboration instead of competition.

"We work together," says Elizabeth Newman, VP of Sales and Marketing, RCR Hospitality Group. "It's not unusual for industry to come together as a team in Halifax.”

“We always put the best interests of the client's first. The calibre of Halifax events - from the Tall Ships Festival to the IIHF World Hockey Championships - are a testament to the Halifax approach."

The team factor has been acknowledged as key in the decision to for Halifax to host the conference.

Plaskett continues, "There is such enthusiasm and passion - a 'can-do' attitude in Halifax. On a scale of one to ten, I'd say the Halifax team is easily 15.”

It seems the conference will be the ideal setting for this service culture in Halifax to shine, as the entire Canadian tourism industry ought to be duly represented.

“Hosting CanSPEP's conference is a huge opportunity to showcase the Halifax, Nova Scotia experience," says Hélène Moberg, Executive Director of Sales, Destination Halifax and chair of the local host committee for the conference.

"Working with this organization means exposure to representatives from so many markets across Canada,” she added.