The Assembly

Unlocking the Gathering Potential of Remarkable Places

The Assembly works with cultural institutions, museums, galleries, theatres, innovation hubs, and unique venues to develop sustainable event businesses. Through strategy, commercialization, operations, and venue management, we help organizations share their spaces with new audiences while supporting their broader mission.

The Commons

Connecting People with Exceptional Places

The Commons represents and promotes a curated collection of distinctive venues. We help clients discover spaces that reflect the character and purpose of their event, while helping venue partners welcome new audiences and opportunities.

Polite Society

Designing Experiences Worth Gathering For

Polite Society focuses on the experience itself. Through event design, coordination, cultural programming, salons, dinners, and community experiences, we create gatherings that are thoughtful, memorable, and deeply connected to the people and places involved.

A museum, gallery, theatre, innovation hub, historic building, or workplace brings a sense of character, story, and atmosphere that cannot be replicated in a conventional event venue.

By thoughtfully broadening how spaces are used, we create opportunities for new audiences, meaningful experiences, and additional revenue - all while supporting the long-term goals of the organizations that steward them.

Through strategy, commercialization, venue management, and operational support, we help our partners create sustainable event businesses that complement their broader purpose. Whether acting as an advisor, implementation partner, or white-label venue management team, we provide the infrastructure, expertise, and day-to-day support required for long-term success.

We help remarkable places welcome more people, create more experiences, and generate new sources of revenue without compromising what makes them special in the first place.

Strategy & Commercialization

Identifying opportunities, defining business models, and creating a roadmap for sustainable growth.

Sales & Business Development

Developing the pricing, processes, partnerships, and systems required to attract and convert bookings.

Our experience spans venue ownership, venue management, event production, commercialization, and leadership within cultural and community organizations. We’ve worked with museums, theatres, galleries, innovation hubs, workplaces, and other unique spaces to develop successful event businesses while also supporting clients in bringing events to life within them.

This perspective allows us to see opportunities—and challenges—from all sides. We understand the goals of the organization, the expectations of the client, and the operational realities required to bring the two together successfully.

As operators, we know that a successful event business requires more than a strategy. It requires systems, processes, sales, partnerships, and ongoing management. Our role is not simply to provide recommendations, but to help build the infrastructure required to make those recommendations work in practice.

Most importantly, we believe that every organization is different. Rather than applying a standardized model, we work with each partner to develop an approach that reflects the character of their space, supports their broader purpose, and creates a sustainable foundation for long-term success.

Strategic Advisory

For organizations seeking guidance, planning, and expertise.

We provide venue assessments, commercialization strategy, business planning, pricing, positioning, and operational recommendations designed to support informed decision-making.

Implementation Support

For organizations ready to build or improve an event business.

We help establish the systems, processes, tools, partnerships, and operational foundations required for long-term success.

White-Label Venue Management

For organizations seeking an experienced partner to manage some or all aspects of their event business.

Acting as an extension of your team, we can support venue sales, inquiry management, bookings, client communication, operational coordination, and ongoing business management while maintaining a seamless experience for clients and stakeholders.

Erynn

Founder, Strategic & Creative Director

Erynn is an entrepreneur, designer, venue owner, and organizational leader with more than two decades of experience creating places, experiences, and communities.

As co-founder of The Commons, she helped build an award-winning business recognized for its contribution to Calgary’s entrepreneurial, events and creative community. Her career has spanned graphic design, interior design, event design, entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, cultural programming, venue development, and executive leadership within the cultural sector.

This interdisciplinary background shapes her approach to strategy, partnerships, business development, and venue commercialization. Combining creative thinking with operational and leadership experience, she helps organizations create sustainable event businesses that reflect the character, purpose, and potential of the spaces they steward.

zach

Founder, Business Development & Operations Director

Zach is an entrepreneur, venue owner, community builder, and business operator with extensive experience in business development, operations, real estate, and venue management.

As co-founder of The Commons, he helped build and grow one of Calgary’s most recognized coworking and events businesses, creating a thriving community and a successful multi-use venue model. His experience spans business ownership, property management, partnership development, operations, and facility management.

Known for his ability to connect people, identify opportunities, and turn ideas into action, Zach focuses on business development, operational excellence, and building strong relationships that support long-term success.

Catherine

Event Operations Manager & Senior Event Coordinator

Catherine brings extensive experience in venue coordination, event logistics, and client service, with a background that includes many years in Calgary’s event rental and décor industry.

Her expertise spans venue bookings, event coordination, vendor management, and client support. She plays a key role in ensuring events are delivered seamlessly and that clients, venue partners, and guests receive exceptional service throughout the process.