Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

URBANIAK: What’s the Cape Breton secret to event organizing?

Capers have a distinctive “hearth, home and roam” approach

Here at Cape Breton University (CBU), we have just warmly sent off visiting profs, students and our own community members attending the annual conference of the Atlantic Provinces Political Studies Association (APPSA). The theme was Healthy Communities, Healthy Governance and the Public Good.

Subscribe now to access this story and more:

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.

Access additional stories every month

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting community

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

The academic content and dialogue were rich. In addition to special panels, more than 50 research papers were presented at the engaging and lively sessions. But it was the hosting and the hospitality that took the cake with our guests. The hosting and hospitality lifted up the content and sparked intellectual creativity.

I want to reflect on that.

We didn’t do anything over the top to earn positive feedback. We just used authentic tools we’ve learned and experienced over the years in our Cape Breton-Unama’ki communities. And we’re still learning, through trial and error.

Event organizing and hospitality really are a cultural phenomenon in Cape Breton, a way of life, an art and set of skills that get passed along and passed down. Capers are event planners!

Let me call the Cape Breton approach hearth, home and roam.

Intentionally create warmth right away (hearth).

Have a few cozy, friendly places and spaces that anchor the whole event and become familiar to people who are visiting. Create opportunities for everyone to participate and even pitch in. Make everyone feel........

© PNI Atlantic news