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We are pleased introduce you to your Innovate Canada hosts. Virginie and Jeffrey look forward to welcoming you in November.
Virginie De Visscher joined Destination Canada Business Events in 2017 with a tenacious determination to reimagine how the country attracts business events to its destinations. As Executive Director, she leads a team of sectoral and sales experts to advance the organization’s economic sector strategy — which focuses on growing the country’s share of global conferences within its six priority sectors.
An innovative thinker with a highly collaborative approach, Virginie has extensive experience in business development, international operations and humanitarian aid. Among her most memorable career defining moments, she has spearheaded Economic Development Winnipeg’s “Bring it Home” program that attracted over 110 meetings and conventions, and led a multitude of successful international missions as the Director of International Trade at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg.
Before moving to Canada in 2010, Virginie’s career took her to countries across the globe. Her varied work experience includes roles as the Operations Manager of UGACOF Ltd in Uganda and a Commercial, Marketing and Administrative Manager with Transys in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has also been the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Manitoba since 2016.
With an infectious enthusiasm and passion for topics that range from sustainability to meeting trends, Virginie is a highly sought speaker and thought leader. She has received a wide range of certifications, including her Sustainable Excellence Associate designation through the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and Certified International Trade Professional designation through the Forum for International Trade Training. Virginie also holds a Masters of Science from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, and a diploma of Biosystems Engineering.
Jeffrey Fehr
Client Engagement Manager
Born and raised in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Jeffrey has over a decade of experience in the tourism industry. He joined the Destination Canada Business Events team in 2023 and focuses on leveraging his professional experience and expertise to establish strong relationships with companies and associations in the Agribusiness, Finance & Insurance, and Digital Industries sectors.
Jeffrey specializes in relationship building, strategic planning, and community engagement. Known for his creative thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills, Jeffrey has a proven track record of promoting destinations on both national and international stages. He sees the business events industry as a driving force for change and works to ensure that diversity, inclusion, and sustainability are woven into the fabric of the industry and beyond.
Agribusiness has been a sector he has worked extensively in and is passionate about. He has experience collaborating with all levels of stakeholders to attract international events to Canada within the agriculture sector. He works within his community to leverage the intellectual capital of a destination needed for successful and impactful events.
He looks forward to fostering meaningful connections while showcasing the strength of Canada's agribusiness ecosystem during Innovated Canada.
