BlogPodium 2013: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Breakfast

Sponsors

Brother Canada

BREAKFAST SPONSOR

Brother Canada was established in Montreal in 1960 and is part of a worldwide network of companies belonging to Brother Industries Ltd, of which the corporate headquarters is situated in Nagoya, Japan. Active in over 100 countries, Brother markets a wide range of business machines... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
King Ballroom

Networking

8:00am EDT

BlogPodium Registration presented by The Home Depot Canada

Sponsors

The Home Depot Canada

TITLE SPONSOR

With over 180 stores across the country, The Home Depot is the go-to spot for Canadians looking to create and maintain their dream home -- a perfect fit for the DIY and design bloggers that BlogPodium attracts. As one of our sponsors at last year's conference, The Home Depot Canada... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 8:00am - 9:30am EDT
Lobby

Networking

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

8:00am EDT

Exhibitors

Meet and talk with Exhibitors one-on-one. Visit the booths. Connect, converse, collaborate!

Saturday September 21, 2013 8:00am - 7:00pm EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

9:00am EDT

Opening Remarks & Welcome

Saturday September 21, 2013 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
King Ballroom

Networking

9:15am EDT

Keynote Presentation - Sarah Richardson

Known for creating innovative, award-winning design solutions, Sarah is the host, co-creator and co-producer of four HGTV series that are watched by fans in over 100 countries. She is also a creative powerhouse in the industry as the head of Sarah Richardson Design Inc., which transforms commercial and residential spaces, and has a growing line of signature products including custom furniture and a fabric collection for Kravet. Sarah also shares her design expertise as a contributing columnist for The Globe & Mail newspaper and Chatelaine magazine.

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to hear Sarah talk about her passion for design, business savvy and upcoming projects!

Speakers

Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richardson Design

Sponsors

Delta Faucet

KEYNOTE SPONSOR

Delta Faucet Canada is thrilled to be involved with Blogpodium for its third event! Delta brings designers, builders and homeowners exceptionally well-made, stylish faucets and related kitchen and bath accessories that are beautiful both inside and out. Delta products are distributed... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
King Ballroom

Keynote

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

10:15am EDT

Break

Saturday September 21, 2013 10:15am - 10:20am EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

10:20am EDT

Power Tools - How To Clinic

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop will put the power in YOUR hands! You will be introduced to a variety of power tools, including: impact drivers, saws, and nail guns. Learn when and why to use these tools while we take you through a step-by- step demo of how to build a compact work table.

No prior power tool experience necessary. All safety equipment will be provided.

Exhibitors

The Home Depot Canada

TITLE SPONSOR

Saturday September 21, 2013 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
King Ballroom

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

10:20am EDT

What Bloggers Can Learn From Magazines

Limited Capacity seats available

From editorial calendars to proofreading to writing eye-catching headlines and engaging copy, magazines set an example of tools and techniques to make your blog professional and exceptional.

Learn from an experienced magazine editor and freelance writer on how to apply these techniques to your blog: Proofreading and copyediting - Using Editorial calendars - Writing headlines - Writing for the reader - Using quality imagery

You'll walk away with plenty of actionable tips on how to make your blog its best!

Speakers

Corinna vanGerwen

Gift Stylist

Toronto-based gift stylist and freelance writer Corinna vanGerwen, who was formerly an editor at Style at Home and Cottage Life magazines, has more than 10 years experience contributing to publications such as Canadian Living, Food & Drink and Canadian Family, among many others... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Regency A

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry

10:20am EDT

You CAN Have Both - Balancing A Day Job & Successful Blog

Limited Capacity seats available

Don't let your full-time job, family responsibilities and blogging leave you stressed out and over-worked. In this session we will share tools and techniques that can ease your workload, keep you organized, and make your blog run more efficiently. Attendees will gain valuable insight on topics such as finding and maintaining work-life-blog balance, managing social media, and setting purposeful goals. We will also draw your attention to strategies that have worked for us at various stages in our blogging careers as well as for our lives offline. Let the good times roll...

Speakers

Giulia Doyle

Blogger

Giulia is a freelance photographer based in Ottawa, Ontario. She also shares her recipes and travel adventures on her blog Audrey's and has a career in Communications during the day. Giulia is married, has two children (7 and 5). Giulia's work has appeared on Apartment Therapy, TheKitchn, Huffington Post and Better Homes and Gardens. She's had her photography and styling work published in Ottawa Magazine landing... Read More →

Jordana Garbati

Blogger & Professor, White Cabana

My blog, White Cabana, was born on a snowy winter day in January 2010. Since then, I have been blogging daily about design, art, travel, and more - all in white! When I'm not blogging you can find me teaching academic writing at Wilfrid Laurier University, taking MBA classes, perfecting... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Regency B

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry

11:20am EDT

Break

Sponsors

GLUCKSTEINHOME

COFFEE BREAK SPONSOR

GlucksteinHome is an affordable line of designer-driven home furnishings created by renowned interior designer Brian Gluckstein in 1999. The line spans several lifestyle collections, ranging from traditional to modern, each designed to reflect the customer’s personal style... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 11:20am - 11:30am EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

11:30am EDT

Creating A Style Guide For Your Blog

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop will teach you simple ways to maintain consistency in your blog. Learn how to pick colours, fonts and images, and create a definitive “style guide” for your site. We’ll look at some free and inexpensive tools available to help you, and also discuss best practices for working with images online.

Speakers

Avery Swartz

Tech Correspondent, CTV

Avery is the founder and CEO of Camp Tech, the tech workshop company for non-technical people, and helms North Coast Group, a website advisory and digital consultancy.Avery is a tech correspondent for the Canadian media. You may have seen her on CTV’s Your Morning, where she’s... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Regency C

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry

11:30am EDT

From Blog To Business

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop will work towards providing you knowledge on how to leverage your business and blog simultaneously, giving you insight on the transition of blogging as a hobby to a full-time job. Touching on topics of the investment of time and money, creating original content, monetization and building/maintaining professional relationships, we'll look at what resources and tools you can utilize to make the most out of your blogging experience, and differentiate your site from the rest.

Speakers

Stephanie Sterjovski

Lifestyle Blogger, Photographer & Graphic Designer

Stephanie Sterjovski is a lifestyle blogger, photographer and self-taught graphic designer residing in Toronto. Stephanie contributes to TheKit.ca, serves on Fashion Magazine’s Style Panel, and has been featured on the cover of Framework Magazine, The Everygirl, etc. As a bl... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Regency A

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

11:30am EDT

The Blogger / Agency Dating Game: How To Get Noticed

Limited Capacity seats available

How do you approach brands or agencies and make your blog stand out from the crowd? Join Andrew Kinnear and Jordana Wolch from Environics Communications as they provide insight on what brands and agencies are looking for, share tips on how bloggers can market themselves better, and explain that while some metrics are important, numbers don't mean everything.

Connect with Environics Communications on their Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube

Speakers

Andrew Kinnear

Vice President of Digital Strategy, Environics Communications

Andrew Kinnear is a digital strategist focused on the customer experience – from platform design to social engagement. As VP of Digital Strategy at Environics, Andrew leads both fearful and fearless clients into the social media sphere, helping their brands make meaningful connections... Read More →

Jordana Wolch

Senior Consultant, Environics Communications

Jordana Wolch knew early on that to stay relevant in the PR world one must continue to adapt to the ever changing communications landscape. Never one to sit on her laurels, she has become an expert on building partnerships for her client with bloggers across Canada. As a Senior Consultant... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Regency B

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

12:30pm EDT

Lunch

Saturday September 21, 2013 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
King Ballroom

Networking

1:15pm EDT

Keynote Panel - Let's Talk: Old Media, New Media, Social Media

A moderated discussion on traditional media, new media, and social media. A diverse group of editors and bloggers from well-loved print magazines, web sites, and online publications, discuss the challenges and opportunities of the changing ways we generate, gather, and share content.

Moderators

Leigh-Ann Allaire Perreault

DIY & Design Expert and Spokesperson, Hue La La

As a DIY & design aficionado, lifestyle expert, and colour connoisseur, Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault has spent years crafting a unique philosophy for design that fuses ingenuity, whimsy, and quality workmanship…all on a “frugalista” budget. She believes that we shouldn’t take... Read More →

Speakers

Margot Austin

Senior Design Editor and Editor of Special Publications, Canadian House & Home

Margot Austin is senior design editor and editor of special publications for Canadian House & Home. She is a career print magazine editor with experience at entertainment, fashion and beauty, and interior design titles. You might catch Margot from time to time on The Marily... Read More →

Jacquelyn Clark

Editor, Style Me Pretty Living and Blogger, Lark & Linen

By day, Jacquelyn Clark plucks away as the Editor for the well-acclaimed Style Me Pretty Living. By night, she curates the Toronto-based design & lifestyle blog Lark & Linen. And somewhere in between, she moonlights in the world of interior design. With a bachelors degree in Environmental Design from the world renowned Ontario College of Art and Design, Jacquelyn has dedicated her life thusfar to cultivating her passions. As a lover of design in all s... Read More →

Emma Reddington

Home Editor, Chatelaine

Emma Reddington is the recently appointed Home Editor of Chatelaine, Canada's most widely read magazine. She is also the designer and editor behind The Marion House Book. Since starting the blog in 2010, The Marion House Book has been named one of the 100+ design sites recomm... Read More →

Rhonda Riche

Co-Founder, Covet Garden

Rhonda Riche, is a Toronto-based editor and writer. Along with Lynda Felton and Jessica Reid, she is the co-founder of the online decor magazine Covet Garden. Over the years, she has contributed to such publications as Du Jour, 2 for Couples, Flare and In Style as well as CBC Radio One's Definitely Not The Opera. With the Covet Garden team, she won a Silver Award in the category of Best Online-Only Article or Series of Articles at the... Read More →

Sponsors

Para Paints

KEYNOTE SPONSOR

As producers of premium standard architectural paints, stains, varnishes and specialty products, PARA Paints has been an industry leader with a steadfast commitment to providing quality products. In addition to issuing leading edge colour décor trend advice to the Canadian designer... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 1:15pm - 2:20pm EDT
King Ballroom

Keynote

2:20pm EDT

Break

Saturday September 21, 2013 2:20pm - 2:30pm EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

2:30pm EDT

Get The Shot! Photography + Instagram Workshop

Limited Capacity seats available

For blogs, and social media in general, image in everything. People make snap judgements on blogs and websites the moment they land on them. This judgement is of course partially based on your blogsite design but since photos generally feature prominently on your site, the photos they see first help shape this impression.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to take your camera off auto, get tips on lighting, and composition. We'll touch on special techniques for Instagram and photo editing apps as well. Bring your DSLR, point & shoot, or smartphone and get ready to get the shot!

Speakers

Jennifer Ballard

Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer

Jennifer Ballard is Toronto-based wedding and life-style photographer. Although many of her clients are local, Jennifer's work has taken her to a number of destinations abroad. Her work allows her to tell stories, express her creativity and capture memories to be shared through generations.Jennifer... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency C

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, PR / Marketers

2:30pm EDT

How To Grow Your Business Using Social Media

Limited Capacity seats available

Why is social media important for businesses? Listen in on this fascinating discussion with Meredith Heron, Interior Designer and television host, and Neil Gazmen, Store Manager of West Elm Toronto. Using Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, Meredith and Neil have skillfully grown their business presences and translated online connections into offline sales.

Moderated by social media specialist, Brittany Stager, this conversation will focus on:
- which social media platforms to use and why
- how to balance your business brand and personal voice
- tips on engaging followers
- the importance of "social" in social media

An interesting conversation full of handy tips, attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how to effectively use the power of social media for business growth.

Moderators

Brittany Stager

Blogger & Social Media Director, My Daily Randomness | REES + STAGER

Brittany Stager is the designer behind My Daily Randomness, a personal lifestyle blog. It is there where she writes about everything from home renovation and decor, to travel and food. When she is not blogging, she is filling her days with social media at her business, @ReesStage... Read More →

Speakers

Neil Gazmen

Associate Store Manager, West Elm

Neil Gazmen is a retail people manager with over 9 years experience in managing high volume, complex stores in the Toronto area. He is a strong supporter of relationship based selling and grassroots type marketing that targets building a community of loyal followers, one customer... Read More →

Meredith Heron

Interior Designer and Television Host

Meredith Heron is an interior designer and television host whose work is an eclectic conversation with color, pattern and texture.Heron’s obsession is color. Whether layering hues inspired by Venetian church doors, or the ombre of Fall leaves in the rain, she combines it with sumptuous... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency A

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers

2:30pm EDT

The Blogger/Agency Pre-Nup: Negotiating Win-Win Partnerships with Big Brands

Limited Capacity seats available

Your fave brands and their agencies are starting to notice you. Now what? It’s time for a commitment. Join Keka DasGupta, Principal of Precision Marketing Group Inc. on a negotiating journey. Learn how to identify the blogger-brand sweetspot, master marketing lingo, and discover not just what to ask for, but how to ask for it, as you enter “contract talks” with big brands.

Connect with Keka via LinkedIn and Twitter and follow Precision Marketing Group Inc. here.

Speakers

Keka DasGupta

Principal, Precision Marketing Group Inc.

Keka DasGupta, an award-winning 16-year PR veteran has worked on several worldrenown multinational brands including: IKEA, Disney, Johnson & Johnson and Nike to name a few. She has been at the negotiating table both as an in-house representative and as agency counsel and her approach... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency B

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, PR / Marketers

3:30pm EDT

Break

Saturday September 21, 2013 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

3:45pm EDT

Photoshop For Bloggers

Limited Capacity seats available

Photoshop for Bloggers is a class designed to help bloggers understand and make the most of Photoshop for their blogs. Learn tips & tricks from a designer on how to create the design elements you've always wanted to use for your blog and posts. A fun class full of ideas & techniques, you will walk away armed with everything you need to make your blog stand out!

Speakers

Brittany Douglas

Blogger & Designer

Brittany is a blogger & designer of many things. From blogs to fonts to logos, her passion is design & creating beautiful visuals. She is the voice behind Gallery No. Eight, a curated site full of art, decor, fashion & the lovely things that inspire her. Brittany holds a Bachelor... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Regency C

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers

3:45pm EDT

The Art of Monetization

Limited Capacity seats available

Have a blog but no idea at how to make money with it?

Blogger Karen Bertelsen covers how to build your blog views so you have a substantial, engaged readership, and then teaches you a variety of ways to make money with your site including selling your own ad space, using vertical ad networks, taking part in affiliate programs, writing sponsored posts and creating long lasting brand affiliations.

Speakers

Karen Bertelsen

Host, Blogger, Writer

Karen Bertelsen has hosted some of Canada’s most successful television shows for this country's largest networks including HGTV, W Network, Slice and MuchMoreMusic.3 years ago she started the blog The Art of Doing Stuff as a creative outlet for her writing and endless home projects... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Regency B

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers, PR / Marketers

3:45pm EDT

Using Your Blog To Land Your Dream Job

Limited Capacity seats available

A blog is no longer just a virtual journal used to archive a bunch of images; it's also a business card and window to our creativity.

Learn tips on how to use your blog as a personal portfolio. From creating awe-inspiring projects, to writing epic posts that showcase your creative skills - a blog can be morphed into a mighty, interactive resume. You'll walk away with tons of actionable ideas so you can go out there and hunt down that awesome gig you've been dreaming of. No excuses allowed!

Speakers

Gabriel Cabrera

Blogger

Gabriel Cabrera was born in Mexico City and currently lives and works in Vancouver as a Community Specialist for one of the Top 50 Companies To Work for in BC. He specializes in community development and creative consulting. When he’s not scouting the web for visual inspiration... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2013 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Regency A

Seminar

Intended Audience Bloggers

4:45pm EDT

Closing Remarks & Giveaway Announcements

Saturday September 21, 2013 4:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
King Ballroom

Networking

5:00pm EDT

Reception

Saturday September 21, 2013 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Regency DEF

Networking

Intended Audience Bloggers, Industry, PR / Marketers