Following a very well attended AIMS event in Toronto, our 5th Geek Dinner was a mad hit. By the way, people were referring to it as 4th geek dinner but according to my math it was indeed our 5th. If memory serves there was the one at Houstons, Big Daddy’s Crab Shack (with Shel Holtz), Brasserie, and La Palette and last evening at Marcel’s. UPDATE – Mitch has informed me I am taking credit for one that we only attened – see comments section
The dinners are getting so large (approximately 40 people last night) that questions started to pop-up about when the speeches would start. My response was “right after the candle lighting ceremonies”. If we have that many people again, we are considering renting out table top space for exhibitors!
The reality is that something has been unleashed here. Something powerful. The coming together of the community in Toronto over the past 5 months that I have not seen the likes of before. It is a very cool social developement in the Marketing, Advertising, PR and Tech scene that I continue to be stoked about each and everytime another one goes down. (additional post post thought: Social media is about the power of these connections between people and the manner in which the digital space is accelerating everthing.)
As ironic as this may sound, the credit for bringing together the Toronto digerati goes to the man from beautiful Montreal, Mitch Joel. The genesis of our Toronto Geek Dinners was initiated on a Skype chat on Sunday way back in August. We were talking about his trip into town and the question “Geek Dinner?” came up in the IM chat. And, as they say, the rest is history. Well, not history, more like the future to be frank. I say future because through these dinners the connectivity of people in the business has been incredible. Who knows what the future holds when so many people in the game, who are in the knowm hang out and get their geek on?
Last night saw the usual suspects. Ed Lee, Chris Clarke (our little PR buddy), Michelle Tampoya, Michael LeBlanc, Kathryn Lagden, Salima Valji, Sulemaan Ahmed, Steve Mast, Leesa Barnes, Jay Aber, Eden Spodek, Bill Sweetman. UPDATE – June Macdonald was there too. Thanks Bill
However, last night’s crowd swelled to multi-table event that included John Gustavson, CEO of Canadian Marketing Association, Ken Schaffer of VP, TuCows and One Degree, Judy McAlpine of CBC (great speech at AIMS event btw), Warren Cable of CanWest, Adrian Capobianco and Steve Brown of FUSE, Leonna Hobbs of Flackadellic and TuCows, Andrew Findlander of National PR, Elaine Pratt of KPMG (who I knew from my real “Geek” days in grade 8). Jonathan Huth of Scotiabank, June Li of ClickInsight, Doug Walker of TBWA Chait Day and also World Rock Paper Scissors Society, and Jay Moonah and Chris Pathieger from Uncle Seth. I missed meeting Sean Howard of Craphammer, but there is always next time.
And finally, The Mos – legendary ad and marketing man Peter Mosely brought his joie de vivre to our gathering. And, my new buddy Julia Stein from Fleishman Hillard, who has totally missed her calling as a top-notch creative talent in the ad world. Julia, if you won any money on the bet with David Jones, I want some points 
My apologies if I missed anyone in this list, please let me know by leaving a comment
I hope everyone had as great a time as I did and I am already looking forward to the next one.
Geek is Chic
27 Saturday Jan 2007
Posted in Digital Marketing, Local Events - Toronto, Social Media, Very Cool
Actually, the Geek Dinner with Shel Holtz we had nothing to do with us. I think Kathryn Lagden from AIMS Canada ran that one solo. We just happened to go
It was a great night.
Geek Dinner V is next!
I thought geek was the new black? Although it sounds like you guys were bringing sexyback…
Geek will hopefully be more chic next time when I manage to make it out
Great presentation Michael, I appreciated the perspective that you can be brand-neutral, add value, and retain and grow your customer base. Good stuff.
Cheers,
Tamera
Thanks for the comments Tamera, too bad you could not come out the dinner.
Mitch, on the geek dinner count,yes you are right. Kathryn did all the heavy lifting there. I think we suggested it and then let her do all the organizing and recruiting of people!! How typical of a man to try and take credit for something I did not do myself!! Thanks for pointing that out Mitch, I forgot the details on that one. It was great being able to present on the same stage with yourself and Judy – it was a blast!
Michael, another notable veteran in the house on Thursday was June Macdonald of RIM (and One Degree) who came in all the way from Waterloo.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Correct! Thanks Bill. June is in the usual suspect section. Sorry June. I will update asap.
Yes, ’twas a very fun night indeed. It was great to see the community come together and geek it out. You might have to rent out a banquet hall for the next one
Wow, I miss one and all my heroes show up (apologies to you and Mitch). Maybe the next one will have to take on a speed-dating vibe. Everyone spends two minutes with every other person and then a bell rings.
Thanks for the kind note, Michael,
Wish I had been able to attend. Would have much preferred it over the bed-rest and toilet bowl worshipping.
Hope everyone in your world has managed to side-step this bug. And looking forward to meeting you at the next one.
Sean
Michael, great meeting you at this, thanks so much for the invite! Hope to see you again.
Cheers,
- J.
Michael – You can take some credit for the Geek Dinner with Shel Holtz. I believe you put forward the initial suggestion and helped with the invites. And Mitch was there after motivating thousands of people at The Power Within
Looking forward to number V or VI – (depending how you count it)
Michael – thanks for your insightful presentation, for encouraging me to come to the Geek Dinner (great crowd!), and especially for remembering me after more than twenty (wow!) years! E.
Thanks for the nice compliment. Anytime you need a tagline – you know who to call. Hopefully the next dinner will have some heat. I did win the bet, see you at United (if you go at night there is almost no one there and no kids). I joined the United Bakers fan club group on facebook – what a riot.
Thanks to all who had a roll in organizing Geek Dinner IV.
I was fortunate enough to sit at a table with Mos, Elaine, Eileen and my longtime Uncle Seth compatriot and podcast partner Jay Moonah. I had numerous great conversation (and glasses of red wine) which is no surprise when you look at the caliber of people in the room. I’m definitely in for Geek Dinner V.
Best,
Chris Patheiger