Why Blissdom Canada 2014 is the place to be #BlissdomCA
This is a big week in the Canadian social media sphere. Blissdom Canada 2014 will be held this week from October 2-4th in Mississauga, Ontario. While it is technically a social media conference, the word conference does not typically bear with it an emotional connection. Blissdom Canada is more like the warm and fuzzies, a reassuring hug, that friend who accepts you for who you are, what you’ve done and where you’ve been without judging you.
I was a Community Leader at Blissdom Canada 2013. It was an incredible experience. Since then however I have struggled with words to articulate my experience. Anyone who knows me, knows that is very unlike me. I am blessed, you could say, with the gift of gab. Why the struggle? It’s because I cannot fully describe Blissdom Canada in words. If I had to try, what comes to mind off the top of my head is that it is the premiere social media conference in Canada, a meeting spot of many of the top social media influencers in the country, a community of engaged digital media professionals supporting, engaging and encouraging one another and last but not least, a welcoming hug.
If you were one of the uber cool kids who always fit in, sailing through life with neither a worry about fitting in, nor understanding the pain of how it feels when you don’t, you may want to stop reading here (suggestion, not request). If however you happen to be a little like most others, you will have known (likely through painful experience) what it’s like to be on the outside of a clique, to not feel welcome, accepted or included. It’s one of those things people don’t often speak about, they just experience, swallow and move on.
Working in social media can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s wonderful to sit behind a screen and connect with the world at your fingertips, in fact, it’s one of the things I love most about what I do. It can also be a curse if you ever find yourself on the receiving end of a troll who wants to tear you down, insult you and say nasty things only because they can hide behind a pseudo name and an avatar of an animal or an egghead.
When there are so many people out there, it can be difficult to find where you belong, a place to fit in. After all, who wants to admit they might be a newbie at things or still figuring out the ropes so many years later.
This brings me to what stuck that chord inside of me last year, what sparked that fire and allowed me and so many others to embrace who we are. To not only embrace it, but to love it, set it free and be proud.
None of our lives are perfect, certainly not the instaglammed, perfect lighting, balanced healthy meals, airbrushed faces and perfect on the 42nd try selfies. I can admit I’ve been guilty of each of these things on occasion, but Blissdom Canada has served as an anchor. It’s a community where we feel welcome, valued and respected. Not just by the cool kids but by everyone. It is where social media influencers and digital marketing mavens meet sponsors who understand the value of the written word, respect the hard work and sacrifice that goes into building successfully engaged audiences and online communities. It is also where it is not only perfectly acceptable but encouraged to let down your guard and come as you are. Like I said, Blissdom Canada is not only a conference, it is a feeling of belonging, a warm greeting and a feeling of community. So if you’re one of the fortunate ones who will be attending this year, be prepared for a life changing experience. Be yourself. Be bold. But most importantly be you. And of course if you can’t attend, follow along with #BlissdomCA and see for yourself what a blissful time it is.
Here’s a peak at the awesome time we had the pre-Bliss Montreal meetup last year:
NOTE: This is not a sponsored post. I was not asked to write write this. All opinions and views are my own.
Fabulous post, I think you summed up the Blissdom Canada experience perfectly.
Thank you Peggy. It might have taken me a year to do but I wanted to make sure I got it right 🙂
I love that #Road2Bliss video from last year!! 🙂 see you soon.