Debbie Arato, CSEP

Arato Entertainment & Events' President & CEO, Debbie Arato has spent her life in the hospitality and event planning industry. Debbie brings post-secondary education in hospitality and years of industry management and experience. In early 2000, recognizing a changing work force and a new generation of corporate and not-for-profit clients, Debbie immersed herself in a leadership role to become the "event entertainment specialist" for the industry.

Debbie has spoken publicly on the role and value of event planners and entertainment management and was published in Canadian Business magazine on the subject. She has been a guest speaker at Ryerson University, lectured at the Learning Annex and spoken at industry related conferences. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada (BEICC), is the past President for the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) and was Vice President of Programs for the International Special Events Society (ISES). Debbie sat as the Chair of the Special Events Committee for CSAE (Canadian Society of Association Executives) for 6 years. She is also a past recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award with the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness, the Martin Kruze Foundation.

In 2004, Debbie was awarded the Certified Special Events Professional designation, only the thirteenth Canadian to achieve this designation. The CSEP, the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry, is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics.

Proud member of CANSPEP