Every year, dynamic idealists gather at Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto for a powerful meeting of minds. There was no triskaidekaphobia at Moses Znaimer’s 13th ideacity presented byBlackberry, which even began June 13 with the theme “Lucky 13.”
Moses Znaimer addressing the audience
It turned out to be a lucky event with plenty of opportunities for chance meetings with some of the world’s greatest thinkers and extraordinary trailblazers.
This year’s roster of 50 speakers included guitar legend Liona Boyd, illusionist Simon Coronel, politician Preston Manning, Wealthy Barber author David Chilton, singer Jann Arden, pianist Michael Kaeshammer, possibilian David Eagleman, and so forth.
Jann Arden
Most of the speakers stayed throughout the conference and enjoyed hearing one another and mingling with each other and the guests, many of whom were extraordinarily successful or interesting in their own right.
Liona Boyd was particularly delighted because when she met the The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont. at ideacity, he promptly invited her to receive one of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards being awarded this week.
Liona Boyd
The networking lounge
This year’s ideacity theme was “The End is Nigh” or TEOTWAWKI, which stands for “The End of the World As We Know It.” Recognizing that “every new beginning comes from other new beginning’s end,” ideacity found that its audience was 81% optimists and their cheerful outlook and hopeful nature did not change over the course of the conference.
Composing the Toronto Symphony
Some of the most memorable moments included sexologists Ogi Ogas & Sai Gaddam calling poutine “the shemale porn of international cuisine”; illusionist Simon Coronel seamlessly making a card appear and disappear from a variety of places; composer Tod Machover creating – in collaboration with key Canadian musicians – live on stage the genesis of A Toronto Symphony, a work he is composing with the entire city of Toronto; one week job worker Sean Aiken reminding us that at any age we can work toward finding our true life passion; David Jay sharing his story of Asexuality and discovering that 3% of ideacity attendees were asexual; Dignified Death advocate Wanda Morris speaking of respecting an individual’s right to determine the nature and timing of their death; the entire audience performing Kabalah Yoga with Audi Gozlan, Shimmy belly-dancing with Shivaun Corry and bhangra-ing with BollyFit’s Reshmi Chetram.
Sean Aiken
Shimmy
Pinball Clemons
It’s not surprising that the crowd was so happy because in addition to being constantly mentally stimulated by the jam-packed speaker roster, each guest received their own Blackberry playbook with the ideacity app preloaded, was given a trendy Roots leather bag filled with goodies, was pampered with Aveda aromatherapy neck massages, enjoyed decadent networking delectables including oysters and shrimp hors d’oeuvres, and socialized at the famous afterparties at some of Toronto’s poshest hot spots including Spice Route, C-Lounge and Rosewater Supper Club.
A worthwhile and unforgettable conference that the guests look forward to all year.
This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!
Arts & Culture, business trends, career development, entrepreneurship, events, making money, money and happiness, money and power, money and relationships, women leaders
Divas in the City returns for its 3rd year and is simply getting better and better. The mission of this event is to “to educate, inspire and connect the new demographic of young, independent, ambitious women in our city.”
Laura Furtado & Nikki Bergen
Laura Furtado, founder of DivaGirlFitness describes Divas in the City as “a socially driven, goal-directed event that will feature experts in various areas that are essential to the urban girl lifestyle – beauty, relationships, finance, career, fashion, nutrition and fitness.” Her co-founder of this event is Nikki Bergen, founder of The Belle Method, an exercise program for women.
Melyssa Moniz
This year’s speakers included Katia Millar (Positive Fabulous Women), Wendy Crystal (Inspired Cosmetics), Kimberly Moffit (Kimberly Moffit & Associates), Florence (Flo) Grunfelder (Money With Flo), Hannah Yakobi (FAJO Magazine), Angela McNally (Eating Pretty) and Sandra O’Brien (Goddess Creation formerly Bootcamp Goddess). Most of the speakers were animated and did a fabulous job of keeping the audience engaged and conveying very usual ideas and tips from their various fields. Particular highlights include Networking Ninja Katia Millar, Relationship Guru Kimberly Moffit and Fashionista Journalist Hannah Yakobi.
A bit of shopping at the hula hoop booth
Katia mesmerized the crowd with her authenticity and effortless ability to make connections and network. She explained the importance of a personal brand and how the first step was identifying, knowing and embracing your core values, what she eloquently described as your “secret sauce” that is special and different from everyone else in the world. She spoke about the importance of getting into the flow of conversations and shared that the net was a powerful networking tool for introverts.
Kimberly Moffit, a true dynamo, was also very effective. She shared her Top 5 tips for having it all, which include 1) setting goals, 2) Be honest with yourself and your partner about your ambitions 3) Finding a partner who supports you in all your ideas and goals (a good relationship should make u soar) 4) Never apologize for your success; instead own it, let yourself feel it; it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world; and 5) Thinking effortlessly. If want to live an effortless life, you must think effortlessly. Ms. Moffit also informed the audience of a Harvard study that discovered that only 2% of people set goals and write them down, but those 2% of people control the majority of wealth.
Tamika Auwai
Hannah Yakobi really gave a useful talk where she went through current trends including classic shapes, structured jackets and bright colours (neon orange royal blue yellow pumpkin especially for dresses). She informed that runways showcased conservative necklaces but uber daring slits, flowing fabrics showing serious leg, floral patterns, thin to medium sized belts, lots of head wear and 80s inspired suits.
This article was originally published in DelectablyChic!
Style, business trends, career development, entrepreneurship, events, women, women leaders
Lisa Lisson
Women of Influence is known to feature top and inspire speakers but they really outdid themselves on their recent Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center featuring Lisa Lisson, President of FEDEX Express Canada.
Not only is Lisson a strong, dynamic and inspiring professional, she is an extraordinary individual who has survived and thrived despite her husband being in a coma for two years before passing away. She balances her work and 4 children, 3 dogs, a rabbit and a goldfish; is a hugger; and begins each day with gratitude.
Lisa addressing the audience
Lisson is the first female president of FEDEX Canada and is a four-time winner of the FedEx Five Star Award (FedEx’s highest accolade), voted by her employees as exceeding company managerial standards. She is an active member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.
At the Women of Influence Luncheon, she spoke from the heart, sharing her story while peppering it with humanity and pearls of wisdom. She spoke of training one’s mind to keep positive and focused, the importance of mentors and how to find them, filling one’s live with gratitude and constant acts of kindness, saying no and prioritizing “me” time, and nurturing an environment of inspiration.
She also emphasized to the 350 guests in the audience the importance of letting your intentions - particularly career ambitions - be known. She reminded everyone, “Every interaction with senior management is a mini interview.”
Lisa Lisson with author T U Dawood
Now in her 20th year at FEDEX, she related the charming story of how she got her entry to this family like corporate culture by connecting with a marketing assistant and forming a bond with her.
Featured on Undercover Boss, Lisson shared how that experience helped her connect with her teammates and employees of all levels and better understand what they do each day.
In this intense, emotional speech which resulted in many tears in the audience, Lisson shared her mind, heart and soul and truly inspired those lucky enough to attend. She’s a leader who is passionate, yet grounded; talented, yet humble; and friendly and approachable, yet professional.
The event was moderated with gusto by the popular Erin Davis, Morning Host, CHFI.
Audience Shot (photograph provided by WOI)
Some VIPs at the event included Barbara Dickson (Managing Director, Queen’s Executive Education), Carolyn Lawrence (President & CEO, Women Of Influence), Devorah Lithwick (Vice President, Marketing Communications, Bell Mobility), Jane Allen (Global Leader, Renewable Energy, Chief Diversity Officer, Canada, Deloitte & Touche), Marilyn Horrick (Chubb Insurance Company Of Canada, Assistant Vice President, Canadian Zone Projects And Communications Manager), Michele Goddard (Senior Vice-President And Managing Director, Client Strategy And Execution, BMO Nesbitt Burns), Nelly Daley (Strategic Account Manager, Cisco Canada), Paulina Paplinski (Senior Manager, Enterprise Risk, Information Technology And Risk Services, Deloitte & Touche), Penny Hicks (Publisher, Maclean’s Magazine), Sandra Stewart (Director Of Marketing, The Jones Group Canada), Susie Federchuk and Valerie Battler (Principal, Career Solutions, Knightsbridge, Human Capital Solutions).
Lisson’s mother, two aunts and nanny also joined the event and were celebrated by the speaker as integral parts of her life.
Guests had come from all over Canada including Bonnie Johnson, who was visiting from New Brunswick, and had planned this as one of the highlights of the trip.
Raymonde Lavoie who is launching Femmes d'Influence
Attendees
Christine Jackson of Burts Bees - a total fashionista
business trends, career development, entrepreneurship, events, making money, money and happiness, networking
