Meet the Team

Crafting immersive events

Wes has more than 25 years of event and conference management experience.  Wes, together with two partners launched EventWorx in 2017 through a management buyout of dmg events’ regional assets. EventWorx produces their own conferences, trade shows and acts as PCO for an increasing number of clients. Early into the pandemic, Wes and his team adapted to virtual conferences and have produced ten major events during past eighteen months.

Prior to launching EventWorx, Wes held the position of Executive Vice President, Energy at dmg events, a role he had between 2012 and 2017. Wes joined dmg in June of 2000, as Sales Manager. Over the course of seventeen years, he enjoyed several promotions, and ultimately became EVP in 2012. As Executive Vice President, Wes had responsibility for a portfolio of events across North and South America and with his team they launched and grew a portfolio of international conferences, trade shows, and trade missions. 

Wes currently sits on Sports and Event Marketing and Management Program at Medicine Hat College, recently completed two terms on the Bow Valley College Event Management Board of Directors and taught an event management course at Mount Royal University for five years. He also has been active with the Canadian Association of Exhibition Management and Alberta Live Events Coalition.

Helen is a Chartered Accountant and CPA with over 20 years of business management, accounting and finance experience. Most recently Helen was employed in the event and conference industry as the Finance Director for dmg events Canada. Helen’s business experience ranges from start-up companies to large multinational corporations.

Her industry experience ranges across a number of different sectors that are closely related to the event and conference industry including training, registration and food services. She started her first successful business in the training industry out of University and after a successful exit continued her business education through the Chartered Accountancy program. Helen articled with KPMG, working there for 8 years, including 4 years of management responsibility. While in public practice she provided assurance expertise in a variety of industries including technology, oil and gas, retail, hospitality and marketing and advertising. Helen left KPMG to return to private industry as the Controller for Sysco Food Services Western Canadian operations and then to later join a technology start-up in the registration industry where she helped grow the company to a successful exit. 

Bruce joined EventWorx in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. Bruce’s experiences and reputation in the trade show and events industry made him a natural fit for EventWorx. Bruce began working in the events industry in 1997 with Mendelssohn, as Director of Operation & Sales, Western Canada. At Mendelssohn Bruce managed freight, logistics and customs for more than 300 events a year, servicing a long list of event organizers including Southex Exhibitions (now dmg events) and Reed; and across a number of sectors such as construction, media, education, motor sports and associations.

 In 2003, Bruce moved over to Consultrans, the ground freight division of Livingston International as their Director of Operations.  Bruce was recruited by dmg events in 2009 as the Manager of Operations. Soon after his arrival he was promoted to Director of Operations with a focus on improving the Exhibitor experience, sourcing new event contractors and reviewing existing contractor partnerships. In 2012 Bruce was again promoted to event director portfolio where he oversaw events including Global Petroleum Show, Global Petroleum Career Expo, and Oil Sands Trade Show and Conference. In 2013 Bruce took on the role of Vice President, Energy adding responsibilities including such as event strategy, leading dmg’s Canadian Pavilions at international events, and oversaw Government relations.

Paula’s communications career has spanned many years in both the profit and non-profit sectors. Beginning her career at Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra, she has worked in marketing, public relations, crisis management, event management, speakers and sponsorship, donor relations and audience development.  She was recently responsible for High-Level Speaker Management of the World Petroleum Congress (now World Energy Congress).

Career highlights in the non-profit sector include marketing and communications for Calgary Opera, Calgary Legal Guidance, and Alcove Addiction Recovery Centre for Women.  Prior to joining EventWorx, Paula was Vice President, Marketing for a major international media publishing company, producing large-scale conferences, trade shows and events.  Specializing in launching brands, Paula has travelled the world, launching events in South America and beyond.

Paula also enjoys mentoring and helping others grow their marketing and communications skills, and loves to learn from others in return on how to bring an audience the best possible experience.

After managing the sales teams at Global Petroleum Show and Oil Sands Conference & Trade Show, he joins EventWorx to bring his personal touch to our exhibitors and attendees. He also has worked with companies in Canada to extend their reach beyond our borders at International energy events in dedicated Canadian Pavilions, working with exhibition agencies, governmental agencies, consulates and embassies to provide opportunities to build partnerships and drive business development across the globe. 

Paul Paynter was on the World Petroleum Council (Canada) Board that in 2019 won the competitive global bid to host the 2023 World Petroleum Congress in Calgary (by a single vote on the final ballot).

As a Board Member from the early days of the ground-breaking and influential Alberta Clean Technologies Industry Alliance , Paul helped promote the diversification of Alberta’s economy. At Calgary Economic Development Paul developed Calgary’s Sustainable and Renewable Energy Sector Cluster and produced Calgary’s first Sustainable & Renewable Energy Profile. At CED Paul led on the organization of ground-breaking trade missions to Colombia, China, and Australia in 2011 and 2012. Paul continues as an “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” at the Foresight technology accelerator to mentor and promote Alberta and western Canadian technology companies, including several Alberta success stories such as OptiSeis.

As Director of the then British Trade Office in Calgary, Paul was a catalyst in upgrading the Trade Office to a full Consulate, which it remains today. Paul was a founder Board member of the British & Commonwealth Business Association of Canada, which continues to connect businesspeople in Calgary and Alberta and visitors from the UK at events. He later opened the first Saskatchewan Crown Corporation (or Government) office of any kind outside SK – in downtown Calgary for Saskatchewan Research Council, working with Calgary upstream and new technology companies to enhance hydrocarbon production; drive down cost; and to reduce emissions and water usage. Latterly Paul has spearheaded Calgary-based General Energy Recovery Inc.’s (GERI) business development strategy for its portable steam and flue gas Direct Contact Steam Generation Technology – which produces Enhanced Oil Recovery at lower cost and with less water use and lower emissions versus typical methods. Paul has also volunteered for the Shaw Charity Classic, the Calgary Council for Advancing Technology, Global Chamber, the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN), the Rotary Club of Calgary, and multiple Calgary Chamber committees.

In December 2022 Paul was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for services to the community in Alberta.