After twenty-two years in the Canadian Armed Forces serving as an aeronautical engineer, Doug Matthews began his second career in the entertainment industry when he joined Pacific Show Productions, located in Vancouver, Canada, in 1985. This company produced special events and entertainment in Canada and overseas for many diverse clients. After the company was sold in 2004, Doug took up writing seriously. To date, he has published five textbooks and a book of humourous anecdotes, all about the field of special events. He is currently working on a book about parades entitled, "Why We Love Parades: Their History and Enduring Appeal."