Looking for a partner who can step in to connect the dots for you, so that you can focus on the big picture? STEP IN MARKETING & EVENT SOLUTIONS will be there to connect the people, the ideas and the processes together to make a project happen. Whether a strategic plan, partner negotiation, conference or virtual trade show, you can trust that we will listen, collaborate, innovate and execute calmly and with a commitment to exceeding your expectations.
With close to 30 years of Marketing and Event expertise, our unique advantage lies in our ability to “step into” a business challenge or opportunity that needs to be managed and executed, on a project-by-project basis, and then “step out” when the objective has been achieved.
With close to 30 years of Marketing and Event expertise, our unique advantage lies in our ability to “step into” a business challenge or opportunity that needs to be managed and executed, on a project-by-project basis, and then “step out” when the objective has been achieved.
About the founder ...
As a natural connector, Sue Mercer is passionate about connecting people together to think, build, innovate and execute with excellence. She is equally adept at both the creative and analytical sides of marketing and event strategy and skilled in leveraging relationships and partnerships to maximize synergies.
Sue’s background has been multi-faceted and anything but boring – from Brand Management (launching Heinz Picnic Pack), to Account Direction for a Promotion Agency, to Marketing Management in a B2B Foodservice sales organization (where one of her most memorable learning experiences was ALMOST flooding the Enercare Centre trying to establish a Guinness World Record for the Largest Bloody Caesar Cocktail!). Since the launch of STEP IN MARKETING SOLUTIONS in Spring 2014, Sue continues to be the unflappable glue that holds everything together, always with an eye towards how to connect and collaborate to exceed expectations.
Sue is an active member of the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) where she is serving her second term on the Board of Directors (2022-23 as VP Events and 2020-22 as VP Marketing). She has also been the recipient of the Heinz Excellence in Marketing Award, Culinary Federation President’s Award and the CanSPEP Volunteer of the Year Award. Early in her career and while working full-time, she also attended York University 2 nights a week for more than 8 years to graduate from the Honours BA Marketing program.
Sue’s background has been multi-faceted and anything but boring – from Brand Management (launching Heinz Picnic Pack), to Account Direction for a Promotion Agency, to Marketing Management in a B2B Foodservice sales organization (where one of her most memorable learning experiences was ALMOST flooding the Enercare Centre trying to establish a Guinness World Record for the Largest Bloody Caesar Cocktail!). Since the launch of STEP IN MARKETING SOLUTIONS in Spring 2014, Sue continues to be the unflappable glue that holds everything together, always with an eye towards how to connect and collaborate to exceed expectations.
Sue is an active member of the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) where she is serving her second term on the Board of Directors (2022-23 as VP Events and 2020-22 as VP Marketing). She has also been the recipient of the Heinz Excellence in Marketing Award, Culinary Federation President’s Award and the CanSPEP Volunteer of the Year Award. Early in her career and while working full-time, she also attended York University 2 nights a week for more than 8 years to graduate from the Honours BA Marketing program.
Unflappable Collaborative Organized Structured Persuasive Patient Tenacious
Strategic Dedicated Connector Flexible Outgoing Calm Balanced Committed
Strategic Dedicated Connector Flexible Outgoing Calm Balanced Committed
Sue's connection to food ...
“While by no means my only specialty, the food industry is deeply rooted in childhood when my parents left the security of the corporate world for the lifelong dream of restaurant ownership. From serving customers, to washing dishes, to peeling apples for my Mom’s ‘famous’ deep-dish apple pie, I experienced firsthand what it means to approach each day with passion, purpose and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done.
I also realized the power of connecting people through food, especially during our annual Christmas Dinner (the only day of the year when my parents closed the restaurant to the public). Not only did we get to enjoy a meal together as a family (not a regular occurrence when running a restaurant!), but we were also honoured to share the table with my Mom’s Christmas ‘orphans’. If she found out that you were going to be alone at Christmas, you always had a seat at the table. The people I met, and the stories they told, connected me to worlds I would have never known otherwise. To this day, there is always a seat at my table for you.”
I also realized the power of connecting people through food, especially during our annual Christmas Dinner (the only day of the year when my parents closed the restaurant to the public). Not only did we get to enjoy a meal together as a family (not a regular occurrence when running a restaurant!), but we were also honoured to share the table with my Mom’s Christmas ‘orphans’. If she found out that you were going to be alone at Christmas, you always had a seat at the table. The people I met, and the stories they told, connected me to worlds I would have never known otherwise. To this day, there is always a seat at my table for you.”