Announcing PodCamp Toronto 2009!

What?
PodCamp Toronto 2009
It’s THE unconference for podcasting and social media in Toronto.

Have something to share?
Consider presenting. Sign up on the wiki.

When?
February 21-22, 2009
You can register by adding your name to the wiki.

Where?
Rogers Communications Centre
Ryerson University (map)
Toronto, ON

How much?
FREE!

Stay informed:
• Check out the wiki
• Subscribe to the blog
• Follow @PodCampToronto on twitter
• Join the Google group

Disclosure:
I’m on the organizing team again. I’m not sure if I’ll have sole responsibility for sponsorship, but I’ll have a role to play. So if you’re interested, let me know.

Announcing Community Divas!

I’m passionate about a lot of things.

One of them is Bargainista. Why? Because of you! Without you, it wouldn’t exist. If no one was here reading, leaving comments or writing guest posts, I don’t think I’d still be here doing this almost two years later. We are all part of this community.

And that leads me to another one of my passions: community, especially the ones I belong to online. They are made up of real people sharing common interests and ideas while forming real friendships. Many of us have been able to get together offline too.

The podcasting community is one of those online communities very near and dear to my heart. With the urging of my friend Connie Crosby, I joined the PodCamp Toronto organizing team last fall and attended Podcasters Across Borders (aka PAB) in June. I didn’t have a podcast but I didn’t let that stop me.

Now all that has changed. With the help and support of many of our friends, Connie and I teamed up and we decided to host our own podcast about online communities and some of the social networking tools that help build them. It’s called Community Divas. The first two episodes feature an interview with our friend and community builder, Jay Moonah. We hope you’ll listen and participate by giving us your feedback and offering suggestions on how we can make it more meaningful for you.

Follow Community Divas on twitter; join the fan page on Facebook.

If you’re interested in learning more about podcasts and social media, consider attending Niagara on the Lake Podcasting and Social Media Meetup next weekend and PodCamp Montréal, September 20 & 21. Admission is free for both events.

photo credit: Glow Bracelets on PAB Cruise by Andy Caster on flickr

Podcasters Across Borders 2008

I spent the weekend in Kingston at Podcasters Across Borders (aka PAB 2008). I had an incredible time and even have some great stories to share with you throughout the week. 

Have a look my pictures by checking out the flickr badge in the right sidebar of the blog. You can also find more here.

PAB 2008 Group Photo courtesy of Financial Aid Podcast

From mesh to PAB

I’ve had a lot on my plate lately so the bad news is, I haven’t been posting as many of my shopping stories as I’d like. The good news is, I’m back and have a whole bunch of stuff to share.

Two of those things are the conference I attended last month and the one I’m heading to at the end of this one.

I’m a third-year veteran of mesh – the social media conference where people connect, share and inspire. The keynote speakers and sessions were incredible. The people (general attendees and presenters) were equally inspiring. That's a picture of the guys who run the show (aka meshies) on the right.

At less than $500 including meals and parties, mesh is one of the best deals around. I also picked up some food for thought and some inspiration I’ll be sharing soon.

On June 20-22, I’ll be heading to Kingston for my first Podcasters Across Borders (aka PAB). I wanted to go last year but the timing didn’t work. It’s still not great for me but Connie’s been after me and co-organizer, Mark Blevis gave me royal heck over dinner during mesh when he read on twitter I’d be taking a pass. He and Bob Goyetche from the Canadian Podcast Buffet are running it again this year and no one knows podcasting better than those two.

So, I reconsidered and registered. I may not have my own podcast – at least not yet – but I’ve been interviewed on some and I’ve been working on audio projects at the office. (I was also a member of the PodCamp Toronto 2008 organizing team). Besides, there’s always lots of other stuff going on and for $125, a two-hour drive and sharing a hotel room with Connie, PAB should be a steal. Why don’t you join us? Register here.