Wendy Heslink schedules and manages events held at Centennial Plaza and the Canton Memorial Civic Center in downtown Canton for ASM Global.
She worked in education for 32 years in western New York before moving to Ohio and changing careers.
"I started working in the city of Canton's mayor's office in 2022, where my primary responsibility was scheduling and handling events held throughout the city, including public events, block parties, the Beautify the Neighborhood (BAN) program and sound variances," said Heslink, 59. "I started here with ASM Global on June 2, when their contract with the city began to manage events at Centennial Plaza.
She began at ASM Global on June 2 when the company began managing events at Centennial Plaza. Heslink also has volunteered for numerous local organizations and events, such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Canton Palace Theatre, Visit Canton, Walking with a Purpose, Sad Team Six, Stark County Pride, Pickle Fest, Run to You Racing, Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball and First Friday.
Her family is highly important to Wendy. Her daughter Samantha and son-in-law Corey and their children Jayden and Jireh live in Carrollton. Her son Thomas and daughter-in-law Jen and their children Grayson and Isla live in Salisbury, North Carolina.
The Civic Center and the Plaza each provide distinct and memorable experiences. As the largest indoor arena in Stark County, the Civic Center has evolved beyond its original focus on sporting events. Today, it hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, comedy shows, skill-based competitions, as well as dinners and meetings.
Centennial Plaza is truly one-of-a-kind, as it is a completely outdoor venue, meaning every event depends on the cooperation of Mother Nature, which can certainly add some challenges. What I love most about the plaza is that it was designed with the community at heart. During events, you'll see people enjoying each other's company, dancing, having picnics and simply having a great time.
Many attendees dine at nearby restaurants before the event or grab a cocktail and a snack from local businesses to enjoy on the lawn. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with smiling faces throughout the plaza and all-around downtown.
What I'm most excited about is seeing more people visit the plaza as we expand the number and variety of events held here, including ticketed concerts. Bringing more activity downtown not only energizes the plaza but also benefits surrounding businesses. It's a win-win for the whole community!
When I moved to Ohio in 2022, I began working in the city of Canton Mayor's Office, where my main role was to support event organizers for citywide events, ensuring their success, coordinating city resources, and serving as a liaison between organizers and the city. What I didn't anticipate was how quickly I'd fall in love with everything happening in downtown Canton.
I had the opportunity to work closely with Pat Wyatt, who managed Centennial Plaza on behalf of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, since many plaza events required coordination with city departments. I also learned a great deal from Todd Herberghs and the Downtown Canton Partnership team about the behind-the-scenes work involved in downtown events. Additionally, I took tourism-focused courses offered by Visit Canton, which sparked a true passion for helping visitors discover and enjoy all that our city has to offer.
When I found out the Canton Memorial Civic Center was hosting concerts and events, I started attending them -- and was truly impressed. For such a historic venue, it offers incredible opportunities for our community. I was amazed by the variety of entertainment available and that such high-profile events were happening right here in a relatively small city.
Through my work with downtown events and city officials, I had the chance to get to know Blake Schilling, the General Manager of the Civic Center. I learned about his ongoing efforts to improve the Civic Center's infrastructure and enhance its appeal, all with the goal of bringing even more people to Canton. It is impressive, to say the least.
Through all of this, I developed a strong appreciation for both Centennial Plaza and the Civic Center, along with the vibrant energy they bring to downtown whenever events take place. So, when the opportunity arose to join ASM Global -- the company that manages the Canton Memorial Civic Center and now Centennial Plaza, I was excited to be part of it.
The atmosphere is electric when downtown is bustling -- businesses are busy, crowds are smiling and strolling through the streets, and both venues are filled with people simply enjoying themselves. Being part of that energy is truly exciting.
What's even more thrilling is the opportunity to help bring more -- and even bigger -- acts to both venues in the future.
I'm lucky to have several go-to people in my life, especially my closest friends and my sisters. But my No. 1 go-to is my daughter. That's become even more true since I moved to Ohio and now live so close to her and her family.
We check in with each other regularly and see each other almost every day. Some of our best conversations -- going all the way back to when she was little -- have always happened during car rides, whether we were on a long road trip or just heading out to shop. That uninterrupted time together in the car has become something I truly treasure.
Every conversation we have means the world to me, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. Beyond that, the support, encouragement, and faith we share -- and continually lift each other up with -- is truly cherished, invaluable and precious.
"Change is the Opportunity for Growth." I've experienced many changes throughout my life, and each one has given me the chance to learn -- sometimes through failure, sometimes through success -- but always with growth.
Many years ago, one of my bosses gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me: "Don't be afraid to try something new and different, because change is the opportunity for growth." That simple message became my mantra.
Whether it was changing jobs, relocating to new cities or states, or stepping into unfamiliar roles, each experience has taught me something valuable and helped shape who I am today.
Someone once told me, "You had to go down the roads you went down to get to where you are now," and embracing that perspective gave me a whole new outlook on both my career and my life.
Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to [email protected].