Delores MacAdam, is a prominent leader within the City of Ottawa Management Team, currently serving as the Manager of Marketing and Communication. With over 40 years of experience in special events, marketing, communications, and government relations, Delores has significantly contributed to community planning and development at both the municipal and provincial levels.
Her dedication to engaging and developing economic and cultural richness across the City of Ottawa is evident through her work in civic engagement, policy standardization, and leadership/resource alignment. As the former President of Festival and Events Ontario (FEO), Delores collaborated with event leaders across North America to promote the value of event spaces and events to government leaders. She also designed educational programs to enhance members’ abilities to create unparalleled experiences for event-goers. Delores was inducted into the FEO Hall of Fame by members of the Ontario event community.
Delores is a key member and educator with the International Festival and Event Association (IFEA), where she has taught and mentored students from around the globe at the Executive Event Management School in West Virginia for the past 13 years. She also serves on the Algonquin College Education Committee for the newly developed BBA Honours Degree in Entertainment, Sport, and International Event Management.
In her role with the City of Ottawa, Delores managed the Corporate Volunteer program, which includes approximately thousands of volunteers engaged in various city programs. She has also overseen numerous volunteer groups and governance committees for major events such as the Winterlude Festival, World Junior Hockey, the 2012 Juno Awards, the 2009 and 2010 Royal Visits, FIFA 2015, the 2017 Mayor’s Task Force, and the annual Canada Day celebration across 21 district wards in Ottawa.
Additionally, Delores is the Chair of the Stewart Park Music Festival, a three-day free music festival in Perth, Ontario, that attracts over 20,000 attendees on festival weekend. Her passion for engaging and developing economic and cultural richness extends across North America through her efforts in civic engagement, policy standardization, and leadership/resource alignment.
Outside of her professional commitments, Delores is a member of the Blues Skies Orchestra. She enjoys spending her summer holidays with family in Cape Breton, where she is originally from, and attends the Gaelic College to continue learning fiddle in an immersive environment.