BlissDom Canada returned to Toronto for its third year!! Taking over the Sheraton Centre, spilling out into the streets of Toronto and even making their way into the Niagara Wine Country from Friday October 19 to Sunday October 21, 2012.
This was a year like no other!
I welcomed a dear-to-me group early Saturday morning, the newcomers!!! (Thanks to Care.com) I was on stage with a mic, by myself, for the first time at BlissDom Canada. Another huge feat… almost 50% of those in attendance (close to 500 people in total)… were experiencing BlissDom Canada for the very first time.
Listening to those who filled out the 2011 post-BDC survey, the format changed from panels to micro-sessions on fantastic topics around tables led by incredible leaders from our community.
In the afternoon, we had incredible, jaw-dropping speakers, TedX style. One after one, they wowed us with their awesomeness; Jian Ghomeshi, Amber MacArthur, Susan Cain, Bonnie Stewart & Ami McKay. BlissDom Canada’s 2012 speakers exuded inspiration, substance & quality. I devoured every word spoken.
That was only Saturday during the day… let’s go back to Friday.
BlissDom Canada started off with a bang on Friday morning with another first… we took over the entire audience at The Marilyn Denis Show. One of our new-to-BlissDom attendees, Julie Nowell, won a surprise makeover and wardrobe and we were introduced to the authors of “Sh*tty Moms” AND BlissDom Canada Community Leaders, Alicia Ybarbo and Mary Ann Zoellner (they are both Emmy award-winning producers at NBC and have been at the TODAY Show since 2000). You can watch the entire episode, let me know if you spot me! 😉
I spent the afternoon at registration, I wanted to see people as they arrived and give out as many hugs as I could. Right beside me Sleep Country Canada sleep experts handed out amazing pillows that fit our individual sleeping habits, and yes I know I shouldn’t be sleeping on my belly… (p.s. I was so star-struck by the one and only Christine Magee that I was tongue-tied!)
As darkness began to fall, 14 teams took to the streets of Toronto in our very first #RoadRallyBliss thanks to the wonderful folks at Chevrolet Canada, WeeWelcome.com and Impressions Public Relations. Best ice-breaker EV-ER! I’ve never laughed so hard watching everyone run around, looking for objects and talking to strangers.
This is only a small portion of what went on over the weekend. I still have to tell you about…
- The kick-off party with Microsoft Canada where they actually got me thinking about ditching my iPhone for their Windows Phone… #gotsmoked
- Then there’s the moment I stood next to Chef Michael Smith and felt like Frodo Baggins.
- I want to tell you about the fabulous sponsors that make conferences like BlissDom Canada possible. How Starbucks Canada made me smile every 15 minutes, Kraft Canada inspired me to cook again and how my family ate my Pepperidge Farms Cracker Chips before I even got home!
- Or then there’s the annual Costume & Karaoke Party where Andy Kim showed up and sang his song, “Sugar, Sugar” with us.
- and it’ll take me a full post to talk about the Sunday excursion I chose. Flat Rock Cellars & Good Earth Food and Wine thanks to Wine Country Ontario. I’ve live close by but have never done a tour, so this was another first for me!
Stay tuned… 🙂
Shannon, I'm so glad I came and even happier that I got to meet you. You have been one of the most encouraging people for me since I started blogging and I really appreciate your support. I was also glad that I could show my true colours at Blissdom, without feeling like a weirdo 😀 Thanks for everything and ps, you were great on stage by yourself! Chris
I know what you mean about standing next to Chef Smith! Goose is 6'4" – you would think I would be used to it by now! He is a FULL FOOT taller than I am! Thanks for helping to show this newbie such a great time!
I was one of those newbies! As a first time attendee, I had a blast and learned alot! I feel blessed to have attended and to have had the opportunity to meet everyone that I met! I cant wait for next year!
Frodo Baggins! Yes! It was a fun, informative, well-organized weekend. So glad I returned this year and looking forward to next.
So, so happy to finally get to meet you in real life! I loved Blissdom & I hope that I get to come back next year.
As one of the newbies, I really appreciated the connections that you enabled with the other new people through the facebook group, and with you directly. I always felt like you were a welcoming and friendly face even before we met, which made it easier to attend and not be as nervous. I had a fabulous time and will definitely be back next year!
It's good to hear that even those who weren't first timers got to have some fun firsts at Blissdom too.
As a newbie it was an incredible experience on so many levels. Thanks for everything Shannon! Here's to Blissdom 2013 and (fingers crossed) Blissdom Vancouver?! lol
It was an amazing conference. As always, I left exhausted and inspired. And I love getting my Shash hugs 🙂
It is always SUCH a pleasure to spend time with you. <3
It is always great! No matter the format, the weekend or the weather. I wish so much that I had been able to do more. I always leave wanting more and well, I guess that's a good thing. I enjoy and learn and am so inspired always – I will keep coming back!
Thanks.