A Look At The Vancouver Event Producer Behind It All
Bright Ideas Events was founded in 1988 by Sharon Bonner and from day one she had big dreams for her event company. Her goal was to be known as one of the top Event Producers in Canada, focusing on Corporate Event Production.
Today, Sharon has indeed achieved all of her objectives and then some. In her 33 years of business, Sharon has been a member of ILEA (International Live Event Association) for 20 of those years. Sharon has been an ILEA member since 2001, has sat on the board several times and is currently active with the Vancouver chapter. She credits her success to the continued support from her ILEA family.
Sharon is an industry pioneer who forged her way through the event business in the late 1980’s. Since the inception of Bright Ideas Events, Sharon has mentored over 200 local and international event professionals. She enjoys giving back to the future minds of the events industry. Sharon stresses the importance of networking & building relationships with like-minded event professionals to all of her mentees.
How Bright Ideas Stands Apart
With over three decades of event planning experience, Sharon leverages her industry expertise to produce corporate and private events. These events can range from an intimate evening with a few attendees to larger conferences with thousands of guests. Under Sharon’s guidance, Bright Ideas can help you from concept to event strategy to ensure you reach your event goals. The team is well versed in managing technical production, entertainment, design and décor, budget management and project management.
Sharon and her team of event producers pride themselves in their creative event design and management of a best-in-class event marketing strategy. This unique approach includes ‘never before seen’ engagement activations for the audience and stakeholders. Thank’s to Sharon, Bright Ideas is known for its innovation and creative “out-of-the-box” thinking.
Sharon’s Accolades & Accomplishments
In more recent years, Sharon has become an accomplished author who has written three books. The first book “The Bright Ideas Adventure” highlights her 25 year journey of event excellence. In 2021 Sharon began working on her 2nd book, The Bright Ideas European Adventure. In this second book, Sharon travels through Europe interviewing Event Producers throughout France, Italy, Switzerland & Spain. Most recently in February 2021, Sharon released her first digital e-book called Donuts In the Lunchroom. This e-book focuses on making teams feel valued in a virtual world.
With over 42 event nominations garnering 35 Awards, Sharon is recognized as one of the top Event Producers in Canada. Here are just a few of Sharon’s recent awards in the event industry.
2021
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS FOR INNOVATION
Richmond Chamber of Commerce – Richmond, BC
BIZBASH – TOP 250 EVENT PROFESSIONALS IN CANADA AWARD
Toronto, ON
VANCOUVER CHAMPION – EARTH DAY FOR EVENT PEOPLE
The Sustainable Event Forum – Toronto, ON
2019
AWE WOMEN IN EVENTS HALL OF FAME – COACH AWARD
IMEX – Las Vegas, NV
MEETINGS TODAY 2019 TRENDSETTER AWARD
Cedar Rapids, IA
BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION AWARD
ILEA Esprit Awards, Minneapolis, MN
BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION AWARD
Canadian Event Industry National Awards – Toronto, ON
SMART WOMEN IN MEETINGS 2019: HALL OF FAME AWARD
Smart Meeting Women Summit – Las Vegas, NV
2018
BEST CORPORATE EVENT – $75,000 – $150,000 USD AWARD
ILEA Esprit Awards – Denver, CO
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR – $25,000 – $75,000 USD AWARD
ILEA Esprit Awards – Denver, CO
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR OVER $30,000 AWARD
3rd Annual ILEA Vancouver Gala Awards – Vancouver, BC
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR UP TO $30,000 AWARD
3rd Annual ILEA Vancouver Gala Awards – Vancouver, BC
BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A CORPORATION AWARD
3rd Annual ILEA Vancouver Gala Awards – Vancouver, BC
EVENT PRODUCER/PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
3rd Annual ILEA Vancouver Gala Awards – Vancouver, BC
ILEA LIVE AMBASSADOR AWARD
3rd Annual ILEA Vancouver Gala Awards – Vancouver, BC
MOST OUTSTANDING EVENT OVER $200,000 AWARD
Canadian Event Industry Regional Awards – Vancouver, BC
BEST EVENT DESIGN CONCEPT OVER $30,000 AWARD
Canadian Event Industry Regional Awards – Vancouver, BC
BEST EVENT DECOR/DESIGN $30,000 – $80,000 AWARD
Canadian Event Industry National Awards – Toronto, OM
Sharon credits her success to where she is today thanks to her incredible clients and worldwide industry connections. Her career has been long and filled with dozens of industry awards, but her greatest accomplishment in her own words is “making a significant impact in an interns’ life that will forever change their trajectory in the event industry”.
To learn more about Sharon’s 33 years of excellence as an event producer, check out her career highlights at this link here.
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