New Leadership, New Outlook for Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2022
The FMC Announces New Managing Director
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2021 (Toronto, ON) - The Festival Management Committee (FMC), producer of Toronto Caribbean Carnival (TCC), is pleased to announce the hiring of Michelle Lochan to the position of Managing Director. “I am thrilled to be taking on this new leadership role,” says Michelle Lochan, who comes from a long career in business development, strategic operations, logistics and advising. “My priority is growing the profitability of the organization to expand the Toronto Caribbean Carnival beyond the festival season. The goal is sustainability while maintaining the essence of Carnival and preserving Caribbean culture.”
Lochan adds, "I am beyond honoured to be a part of the new team bringing back Carnival in 2022. Toronto Caribbean Carnival is near and dear to me, I am striving to elevate the experience for all, and raise the bar in having our Festival recognized for the art that it is. To take North America’s largest outdoor festival into the future is a dream come true."
The 55th annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival is set to take place in 2022 with Carnival themed events scheduled throughout the year. A new addition to the programming is through the Black Entrepreneurship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s National Ecosystem Fund. In partnership with a leading Canadian university, the FMC will be providing business advisory, networking and mentorship programming to Black entrepreneurs.
Due to the pandemic, large scale in-person Carnival events were canceled for the past two years. “The FMC has been holding smaller scale in person, hybrid and virtual events and performances in order to keep Caribbean culture alive,” explains Lochan. “We are planning for a return to the road for the festival events in 2022, COVID permitting. We will adhere to applicable guidelines determined by the Province and the City of Toronto regarding the resumption of summer festivals.” The FMC is working to create greater visibility for sponsors, partners and collaborators by innovating this world class festival.
“The festival creates an average of 6000 jobs. We want to expand that by adopting innovation into our business model and by creating innovative opportunities,” says Lochan. “We want to create an international platform for Caribbean Canadian talent and also engage the youth through community partnerships that encourage Black and Caribbean arts education. All eyes will be on Carnival 2022 and we will be ready!”
Website: Torontocarnival.ca IG: @torontocarnival.ca T:@GoTOCarnival F: @TorontoCarnival.ca
Media Contact:
Fennella Bruce | FKB Media Solutions | 647.290.7610 | fennella@fkbmedia.com
About Toronto Caribbean Carnival
The Festival Management Committee is the producer of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the largest festival of its type in North America. The three-week festival includes: the Junior Steelpan and King & Queen Showcase, Junior Carnival, OCPA Calypso Showcase, King & Queen Showcase, OSA Pan Alive, Grand Parade, Caribbean International Food & Drink Festival and Emancipation Day. More than 1.3 million visitors attend the Grand Parade and an overall attendance of 2 million partake in the festival. A tourism boom to the summer season, Toronto Caribbean Carnival brings in over $400 million into Ontario’s economy each year.
About Michelle Lochan
Michelle has more than a decade of experience advising and guiding small businesses and entrepreneurs in Ontario. She was the FedDev Ontario Economic Development Officer for the Government of Canada for the past five years. Prior to that she has had roles as a Business Advisor for MarketStart, ventureLab, Centennial College, MicroSkills and the City of Toronto. Her family roots are in Carnival, her late father is Calypso singer/songwriter Dick ‘D’Juiceman’ Lochan and her mother is Frances Lochan, former manager of the King and Queen and co-producer of TLK Calypso Tent. Michelle is the proud mother of five children and has a passion for her community and economic sustainability.
