Customer Review: Port Hope community is hopping with events

We sat down with Jeannie Maidens, Supervisor Events and Community Engagement at the Municipality of Port Hope, to learn how she organizes her community’s thriving calendar of events. Jeannie manages monthly celebrations year-round and has modernized her event planning process using ClearEvent’s Event Registration software.

In this interview, she shares the challenges she faced, the improvements she’s seen, and what her experience as an Event Manager looks like today.

Tell us a bit about yourself and the events you plan

As Events and Community Engagement Supervisor, I oversee three main areas:

• Municipal corporate events: such as our Volunteer Firefighter Appreciation Banquet and Civic Awards Ceremony.
• Community celebrations: including our Canada Day Celebration and the Port Hope Arts Festival.
• Third-party events on municipal property: like Cultivate, a Festival of Food & Drink.

For the past seven years, we’ve relied on ClearEvent to streamline planning, and we’re continuing to expand its use.

What were you using before ClearEvent?

Before adopting ClearEvent, we managed events with a patchwork of emails, spreadsheets, Word documents, and handwritten notes. It worked, barely, but it was time-consuming and error-prone.

When I discovered ClearEvent at a provincial conference, I immediately saw its potential to simplify our workflow and bring everything together in one place.

What has ClearEvent allowed you to do that you couldn’t before?

The biggest improvement has been the ability to process online registrations and payments. This eliminated the old PDF forms we used to mail back and forth, a slow and frustrating process for participants.

Now, people can register and pay online in minutes, while I track everything in real time. This has helped us attract more attendees and engage with them more effectively.

Actionable takeaway: If you’re still relying on paper forms or manual processes, moving to a platform that integrates registration and payments is one of the quickest ways to modernize your event planning.

How did your customers adapt to the new system?

At first, we had two groups: those eager for online registration, and those hesitant about using technology. Farmers’ Market vendors, for example, often preferred traditional methods.

To ease the transition, we offered both online and offline payment options. ClearEvent’s flexibility helped us meet people where they were. Plus, the support team provided easy-to-share resources that guided participants through the process.

The result? More registrants overall, and events that are easier to access for everyone.

What’s been the biggest benefit for you as an Event Manager?

Organization. ClearEvent has become our central hub for event planning. Everything like registrations, communications, schedules, lives in one place, and our team can self-serve instead of relying on me for every detail.

The Event Portal Web App is especially valuable. Attendees can access event details directly, which reduces questions and emails. For big events like Canada Day, I also love the dashboard countdown clock, it keeps us on track and builds excitement.

How has ClearEvent saved you time?

Like any system, there’s a learning curve. But once you’re set up, the efficiency gains are huge. Features like Event Rollover are a lifesaver for annual events because they carry forward data, forms, and settings. What used to take hours now takes minutes.

The ClearEvent support team has also been fantastic. They are always quick, clear, and helpful in getting me up to speed.

What advice would you give someone considering Event Registration software?

Think of your platform as mission control for your events. Start with the biggest challenge you’re facing, whether that’s registrations, payments, or communication, and solve that first.

You don’t need to use everything on day one. ClearEvent gives you the flexibility to adopt new tools as your confidence grows. The important thing is to get started and let the system support you.

Customer Testimonial:
“Switching to ClearEvent broadened our reach, made us more organized, and gave us the tools to deliver better events for our community.” – Jeannie Maidens, Municipality of Port Hope

Port Hope’s story shows how the right Event Management software can transform community event planning. By consolidating tools, improving accessibility for participants, and saving valuable time, Jeannie and her team can focus on what matters most: creating memorable experiences for their community.

If you’re an event organizer looking to simplify your workload, this is proof that modern tools can make all the difference in your event planning journey.

Want to join organizers like Jeannie in simplifying both your events and life? Schedule a personal demo and see how ClearEvent can work for you today.