This month I had a chance to attend The Canadian Internet Marketing Conference in Squamish BC. Wow. Just wow. Not only was I impressed by the quality of the speakers (Google, Warner Music, Ebay, Westjet and Disney Parks JUST to name a few!), but even the vendors and the venue were so well thought out. This is not JUST a digital marketing conference. If you’re in the biz, or simply a marketing geek (like myself), this is THE digital marketing conference to attend. I learned a lot, from how to optimize my website, to how to work with social media influencers.

The conference was founded by  Christian Thomson of Marwick Internet Marketing and Darian Kovacs of Jelly Marketing. This year, CIMC sold out. Tickets for 2017 are already on sale and  with speakers ranging from L’Oreal and Pixar, and it’s almost guaranteed that next year will be a big hit as well. The MC for the conference, Leah Gregg is coming back, and that’s enough reason to sign me up again! She’s awesome.

Here are my top 5 reasons why you shouldn’t miss CIMC next year:

1.You will learn the latest digital trends from the experts

Digital marketing changes so quickly. As marketers it is so important to stay on top of trends in order to stay relevant to our customers. Fab Nolan, Head of Marketing at Google Canada, says that one of the reasons Google has been so successful is because it adapts quickly to changing trends. (Of course if you’re Google, it doesn’t hurt if you’re the trendsetter).

Oli Gardner, Co-Founder of Unbounce, taught us how to optimize our website’s landing pages for conversions. If you thought you knew website design before… well, you know nothing Jon Snow.

2.  Sessions cover a wide array of topics

Everything, from how to reach the growing Chinese market to Digital Marketing in Hospitality, to the Future of Influencer Marketing, there was no stone unturned. There was a wealth of information shared at CIMC. Topics are relevant, fresh and in touch with our industry.

3. You will be challenged

one of the sessions was hosted by Christina Crook, author of The Joy of Missing Out and Vicky McLeod of Main Street Communications. Their topic: Unplugged: How to be Technically Productive + Privately Peaceful

This was a hard sell to a room full of digital people – the session started by Christina asking us to put down our phones (?!!!?) and introducing ourselves to the person sitting beside us.  The challenge is to make meaningful connections with people without our devices, and being more human in a digital world. It’s harder than you think.  I’ll admit at the beginning I was VERY resistant to the idea and I brushed off this talk. But something stuck and I find myself more and more gravitating towards the truthfulness of the subject. After reading a sample chapter of Joy’s book, I’ve decided to buy it. Will let you know how it goes.

4. It’s a great place to network

You will meet many like-minded people who are just as passionate about digital as you are. Most of the speakers stick around way after their talks to network and answer questions. I was checking out the Twitter booth in the back of the room and chatting with the person minding it. We spoke about our shared passion for social media, the future of Twitter and my (slight) infatuation with the medium. Overall a very pleasant experience. Little did I know I was speaking with Michelle Slater – head of marketing of Twitter Canada! That’s how approachable the speakers are!

5. Beautiful, Supernatural Squamish

Located only an hour drive away from Vancouver, Squamish is a thriving, growing community surrounded by gorgeous mountains and rivers.  Thanks to Tourism Squamish, we had a chance to experience some of what Squamish has to offer. Stay tuned for more posts about my visit coming soon!