Blissdom Canada 2011 Conference Recap (video)
Blissdom Canada very well might be remembered as fun weekend away with girlfriends instead of a working conference. If it wasn’t for the follow-up emails that keep dropping into my inbox from well-known Canadian magazines, networks and companies, I’d wonder if any business was done at all during the event.
But of course there was; it just wasn’t the uptight, intimidating sort. I mean, where else but a woman’s blogging conference could I find myself talking shop with the managing editor of Today’s Parent: her dressed as a zombie bride and me as a knocked-up flapper?
Yeah, it’s a long story, but it includes a costume party and a surprise appearance by a NKOTB pop star. Like I indicated above, anything can happen at Blissdom.
Photo by CLBuchanan Photography
What was Blissdom Canada? A two-day conference in the heart of Toronto’s financial district, attended by over 300 of the country’s top female bloggers. It boasted an impressive line-up of speakers, provided ‘tribes’ with leaders for each blogging niche, and successfully created a warm and loving atmosphere for the women to come together to inspire each other and have a blast doing so.
And shouldn’t a conference geared toward moms be fun? Many of us don’t get out much, so when we do manage to break away from the grasps of our dear children and get to an event, we’re just as ready to socialize as we are to learn.
Fortunately the founders of Blissdom can relate and know just how to pull off the perfect event.
Photo by CLBuchanan Photography
Three Must-Watch Videos
CBCLive hosted the glitzy opening party, to which I arrived shocking late, after coming from a fabulous dinner at Pangaea (Ed note: closed in 2016) with Julie, Dana, Mardi, and Jan. This super video by CBCLive sums up the kick-off party perfectly.
I had the privilege of paneling with Annie and Stephanie in a session led by Shannon on the topic of “Using Social Media for Social Good”. Go watch the inspiring video Shannon put together for the session; you’ll be glad you did.
Finally, here’s quick home video that attempts to capture the range of activities at this event. It was incredibly hard to remember to pull out the camera or iPhone and document the fun, but I tried!
What was my overall takeaway?
~ Solid new friendships.
~ A resolve to pursue social media for social good even further.
~ Exciting new opportunities with Canadian companies.
~ Challenges to myself for my writing career.
~ A new resolve to breathe life into my neglected personal blog.
~ An assurance that my creativity will not fizzle and die out with the birth of my third child (or forth or fifth).
And much more that I’m still digesting from everything I took in over the weekend. One thing I am sure of, however, I was meant to be at Blissdom Canada and it will remain one of the top highlights of the year for me.
A huge thank you to the conference founders, and all the staff and volunteers who worked around the clock to keep us happy and comfortable.
Have you ever attended a conference in your field? What was your greatest takeaway?
It was such a fantastic conference – I miss it already! Such great people, so much information (and fun) and unlimited coffee!
Yeah, and free massages! The coffee was amazing – I’m going to have to look into those Seiko machines. *drool*
What a fun weekend! I’m stil digesting the information and reading through my notes. I’m so glad you were there and that we had the chance to hang out and share some yummy dinners with great people.
I bet you have awesome notes! It was so fun to hang out and get to know you better. Come to Montreal soon! 🙂
great recap and excellent goals!
It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we can chat some more
Yes, we just didn’t get enough time to chat. I’m looking forward to bouncing more ideas off of each other.
Looks like a fabulous time Aimee!!
Exelent conference with interesting people
I am so glad that I got to meet you finally! Thank you for your wonderful recap. I loved your video!!! 🙂
It was great to meet you too! Thanks for starring in my short film. 😉
I just love you.
And not just because you make the world’s best cookies and HOMEMADE CINNAMON MARSHMALLOWS!
(faints)
Awesome, awesome, awesome recap. As a hostess, how could I ever hope for more?
xoxo
Love you too and thanks for commenting. Hope the goodies helped get you through those loooong days! xox
used to go to the iaje conference – the performances were really inspiring!
I finally got around to watching that social media video that has been sitting in my Inbox for a week and a half now. SO worth the wait! It made me teary eyed and gave me goosebumps. Somebody did a really good job putting that together! Thanks for sharing the link.
I love the video! You are so great at making sure to get photos of yourself, lol I didn’t get ONE. I need to remember to pull out my camera more and snap away!
So glad I had the chance to meet you and Danny, & go out for dinner. It is one of my favorite memories of Blissdom, and hopefully we’ll get to do it again!
Ah can’t believe I have missed this that year. I am waaaaaay too late to the party and now sadly due to covid this whole business is boomed and I guess I am too late.