To celebrate our wonderful, unique and diverse membership, IWAP is profiling one member each month. We’re asking members the same questions that will hopefully let us – and you – get to know them better. Each month we will profile a different member, selected at random, with the answers they provided along with their photo. Louise Beer is October’s selection.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Montréal. I graduated from the Hotel School in Montreal and worked in the hotel business for many years. We left in 1997 to Chicago and New York City and since 2002 have been in
Prague for my husband’s work in the hotel business.

I worked for many years at the Montreal Convention Centre as Director of the International Market. In that capacity, I traveled all around the world.

In 1995, our daughter Emma was born. She has since graduated from McGill University in Montréal.

Both my husband and I have our families in Montreal.

What brought you to Prague?

My husband, daughter and I moved to Prague in 2002. We arrived one week prior to the floods! We moved here for my husband’s work and have been living in Prague for 15 years.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I have been in the Bridge group and Book Club of IWAP and have enjoyed these 2 activities very much. I am also part of “Accueil Francophone de Prague” and participate in their Book Club and also Cooking group. I am also the Canadian representative for the Diplomatic Spouse Association in Prague, one of the events that I like very much is the cultural day trips that are organized.

My husband and I enjoy going to the Opera and love going to the Prague Symphony Orchestra at the Rudolfinum.It is one of the great pleasures of living in Prague. We also both love to cook and entertain which we do as often as we can.

What are your favorite things to do in Prague? What surprised you the most about Prague?

One of my favorite things to do is walk around our new neighborhood in Vinohrady and discover the new restaurants and coffee shops along the way. It seems to change from week to week with new places constantly opening. Also the market at JZP is wonderful to have right around the corner…. so we are there at least once or twice a week buying fruits or vegetables. Every week, I will attend 2 or 3 art exhibition openings and try to keep abreast of what’s going on the Art scene in Prague.

What is your favorite aspect of being an IWAP member?

One of my favorite aspects of being a member of IWAP is definitely giving back to the community as much as I can…years ago, it was working with the Homeless and now it is raising money for different charities for the DSA Xmas Festival. I love meeting new members every year and returning members as well. There is a great IWAP community and it’s great to be part of it.

What is your biggest goal for 2017?

I will be organizing an Art exhibition this November with 35 Czech contemporary Artists. I have been working on the website: www.pragartworks.com for the last year preparing for the exhibition. I look forward to inviting a small group interested in Art to come and visit.

Also, I enjoy going to my Pilates classes and keeping in shape.

My husband and I enjoy traveling and getting to know neighboring cities.