About Us

What we do

Whether you have experience hosting and planning conferences, or simply have a great idea, we will help eliminate ambiguity and provide a sound plan that is flexible and progressive. Our interactions with you, your stakeholders and participants are efficient, personable and professional. We know what it takes to make someone feel at ease and part of a community; whether they are a veteran or a new attendee.

Clients benefit from Intertask’s innovative approach to simplifying the complicated. We tackle things methodically, leveraging decades of experience and proven results. We don’t sit on our laurels, we’re trail blazers  –  constantly striving to improve desired outcomes (externally and internally) – that’s the Intertask way!

Intertask Conferences’ face-to-face and virtual core conference planning services include: strategic consultation; virtual and in-person event operations and logistics; financial and risk management; sponsorship and exhibit solicitation, fulfillment and management; project management; food and beverage and hospitality management; online registration and abstract management; speaker management; housing bureau and room block management; program development support; oversight of graphic design and website development; publication production management; virtual event platform evaluation, selection and negotiation; and development of pre- and post-conference social programs.

Quite simply, Intertask can do it all … and we will customize our service offering to give you precisely the support you need.

Our Management Team

Jean-Paul de Lavison

President

As the President of the company, Jean-Paul brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. A Canadian of European descent, he began his journey in the hospitality industry in Montreal, where he honed his skills in hotel management.

In 1982, Jean-Paul founded JPdL, initially as a local venture in Quebec and Ontario. Under his leadership, the company expanded its reach exponentially, first across Canada, then into the United States, and eventually on an international scale with projects in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Beyond his role as President, Jean-Paul is deeply engaged in professional associations, having served as the local chapter president for both MPI and PCMA. He is also actively involved in several Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) across Canada, demonstrating his commitment to the growth and development of the industry.

On a personal level, Jean-Paul has cultivated a fulfilling family life, sharing adventures with his wife Mimi, children and grandchildren. His passion for exploration extends beyond the boardroom, as he has traveled to every continent, enriching his personal and professional experiences alike.

Leeanne Akehurst

Director

Leeanne is bilingual and has more than 25 years experience in marketing and communications, and 15 years experience managing delegate services: registration, housing, speaker management, program development, abstract submissions and graphic design. She understands technology and how to use it to enhance the delegate experience – be that registering for a conference, submitting an abstract or navigating a website. Her attention to detail, customer service and project management experience are appreciated and valued by our clients. Leeanne has extensive knowledge of traditional and electronic marketing; virtual event management; writing and editing and production management for print and electronic communications tools. Joined Intertask in 2005.

Orison Smith

Finance Manager

Orison is responsible for day-to-day corporate finance and project accounting services. He brings a broad background in finance and administration in not-for-profit, public and private sectors, most recently as the Financial Services Manager for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. TIAC produces several annual conferences and events including the prestigious Rendez-vous Canada. Orison’s experience with association business events makes him particularly suited to manage Intertask’s corporate and client financial needs. Joined Intertask in 2018.

 

Blair Tryon

Senior Director, Interim General Manager

Blair is Intertask Conferences’ most senior conference planner, providing guidance and strategic direction to clients and the Intertask team. He has over 39 years experience in the event planning industry, providing strategic advice and consultation, especially pertaining to the growth and expansion of conference events (in-person, hybrid and virtual), sponsorship/exhibit revenues, as well as reducing overall expenses. Fully versed in all aspects of financial forecasting, resource allocation and controls, Blair has a strong background managing complex projects, many with budgets in excess of $5 million. His expertise in developing very successful sponsorship and exhibition programs is one reason he is sought after by organizations looking to align and scale their conference and revenue models to a sustainable “next level”. Joined Intertask in 1995.

Peggy Nieghorn

Director, Business Development

Peggy brings over 25 years’ experience in the business events sector in venue marketing and sales, project management, business development, communications, government relations and marketing. Peggy develops and maintains strong customer relationships, a skill she polished during her time as Director of Sales at the Ottawa Convention Centre (now Shaw Centre), where she was also a member of the Centre’s Redevelopment Project Team. During construction she honed her project management skills, tenaciously representing client interests throughout the functional design process, and was responsible for stakeholder communications, which included funders from three levels of government. Joined Intertask in 2015.

Our History

Delivering Exceptional Events since 1973

Intertask’s history dates back 50 years, when three people – a national radio journalist, a prime minister’s press secretary and a commander of the Golden Hawks – were loaned by their employers to the Department of External Affairs to manage the first ever international meeting to be broadcast live by radio and television in Canada.

The event was the Royal Visit and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1973.

Shortly after the event had taken place, the three met for coffee and discussed how their once challenging careers now paled in comparison to orchestrating the landing of dozens of two-seater commuter planes on a grass runway transporting international dignitaries from Ottawa to the village of Tremblant. On that fateful day, Intertask Limited was born and the three partners formed the first conference and event planning company in Canada.

In the ensuing years, Intertask worked with many significant organizations including the Ottawa Senators NHL franchise and the Governors General’s Team at Rideau Hall, and on seminal events such as the Papal Visit, the Global Ban on Land Mines Conference and Treaty Signing, the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting, UNESCO Week for Peace and Sustainable Development, and Ottawa’s renowned Winterlude Festival.

Eventually they went their separate ways: the press secretary was hired by Buckingham Palace to work for then Prince Charles; the commander of the Golden Hawks retired; and some 400+ meetings, a Papal visit, and a new partner later, the last of the three passed the baton to the next generation.

In 2010, Intertask substantially broadened its conference and event management resources through a partnership with JPdL, another pioneer in the conference and event planning industry. Since 1982, JPdL has been organizing events, tradeshows, conferences and congresses across Canada and around the world.

This partnership enhances Intertask’s full-service event planning and management capability across Canada, with combined resources at offices in: Montréal, Québec City, Mont Tremblant, Ottawa, Toronto / Niagara Falls, and Vancouver – the latter servicing Alberta and British Columbia – and the newest addition as of 2022, Hawaii!