ICEF Vancouver took place this year from May 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency. GUS Canada and University Canada West participated as platinum sponsors.
The GUS Canada team kicked off conference on May 5 with a series of campus tours at the University Canada West (UCW) Vancouver House for our partners, co-hosted by UCW and the Business Development teams.
Over the course of the conference, GUS Canada hosted a special group of delegates. Guests included representatives from Niagara College Canada, led by President Sean Kennedy, and Fleming College, led by President Maureen Adamson. The City of Niagara Falls leadership team, including Mayor Jim Diodati, were also in attendance. The delegation participated in networking events, special presentations and campus tours of the University Canada West Vancouver (UCW) House Campus.
Members of the GUS and GUS Canada Canada Senior Leadership team were also in attendance. More than 60 members of the GUS and GUS Canada teams attended ICEF. The teams participated in various conference events, including seminars, presentations and meetings with partners.
GUS Canada and UCW had a large presence at the ICEF conference. This year’s conference theme was the “GUS Canada Universe”. GUS Canada, including GUS Canada Colleges, had a large booth located outside the main conference hall and had four additional tables located in the hall. UCW had the largest booth at ICEF Vancouver with six tables located within the booth and two additional tables in the conference hall.
GUS Canada CEO, Cyndi McLeod, started the ICEF conference with a presentation about exceptional people, exceptional partners and exceptional results. Cyndi celebrated GUS Canada team members, partners and achievements during the presentation. She also provided an update about future GUS Canada endeavors including information about University of Niagara Falls Canada and GUS Medical and GUS Veterinary.
GUS Associate Director, Business & Innovation, Kayla Briel participated as a panelist during the panel discussion about quality assurance in student recruitment from India. The discussion explored best practices for recruitment during the surge of student numbers.
GUS Canada wrapped up the conference by hosting a farewell party at D/6 Bar & Lounge on May 8 to celebrate more than 300 of our partners and connect after a busy conference schedule. Cyndi provided opening remarks and a warm welcome. The party heated up with a dance choreographed and preformed by UCW student brand ambassador, Billy. The evening featured many surprises including the Silver Sisters, a pair of LED lit dancers and the intergalactic GUS Canada robots.
Guests were presented with a special gift from Peace by Chocolate as the event concluded. Peace by Chocolate was founded in 2016 by the Hadhad family whose original chocolate factory was destroyed in a bombing in Syria in 2012. The family were refugees for three years before coming to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. A percentage of all Peace by Chocolate profits are donated to the Peace on Earth Society – an organization that gives to peace building projects around the world.
About ICEF
ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) has been at the heart of the international education industry for over 30 years, facilitating growth and fostering connections for educational institutions, student recruitment agents and service providers.
With a mission to drive excellence in recruitment for international education and constantly improve student outcomes, ICEF offers a range of specialist events, professional development opportunities and valuable insights, building on its rich history in the language school, publishing and conference sectors.