Speakers
The following is the speakers from the 2009 show. 2010 speakers will be added to this page as they are confirmed.
Lorraine Murphy
Raincoaster Media
Lorraine “raincoaster” Murphy is a professional blogger and social media consultant at raincoaster media in Vancouver. Blogging daily to five sites on a wide variety of platforms and active on eleven social media platforms, she brings a uniquely informed perspective and attitude to online communication.
Dr. Raul Pacheco-Vega
Hummingbird604.com
Dr. Raul Pacheco-Vega is a Vancouver-based specialist in environment and public policy who uses social media as a tool to support his research, teaching and consulting activities. In the realm of new media, Dr. Pacheco-Vega often speaks and consults about social media strategies to build online communities and creating durable relationships using social networking sites. As a WordPress enthusiast, Raul has built several websites and has spoken previously at WordCamp Vancouver and WordCamp Fraser Valley on topics that range from why you should switch to WordPress to how to accessorize your blog and make it more attractive to readers.
At WordCamp Victoria Raul will be speaking about integrated social media site-building on WordPress (e.g. how to best utilize multiple social media platforms to enhance your WordPress website). (Photo credit: Rebecca Bollwitt)
Catherine Novak
IdeaZone.ca
A writer and marketing professional for over ten years, Catherine has worked with clients in business, government and the non-profit sector. She loves to create messages that convey – with clarity and spark – the unique spirit of her clients. Catherine works in a collaborative process with her clients to determine the best methods – both online and off – to attract the attention and interest of their ideal customer.
Ross Dunn
StepForth Web Marketing Inc.
A search engine optimization specialist for over 12 years, Ross and his team have provided SEO consultation and campaigns for companies from all parts of the world; from Victoria’s own Prince of Whales Whale Watching to Time Inc. Interactive in New York City. Ross is also a long-time contributing writer for several industry-leading blogs and the co-host of the popular “SEO 101″ radio show which airs weekly on WebmasterRadio.FM. A veteran in all matters SEO, Ross is a passionate speaker and website marketing consultant who loves to guide businesses to greater visibility and success online.
Jeff Richards
Constant Content
Jeff spends much of his time manging Constant-Content.com, a content marketplace where freelance writers connect with online publishers. In addition, Jeff is part of the management team at RevenueWire, a e-commerce platform through which online businesses can sell a wide range of digitally downloadable products . An engineer at heart, and by education, Jeff loves finding ways to make things a little easier, a little simpler and (dare I say it) a little more automatic.
Tris Hussey
A View from the Isle
Tris Hussey is a long-time technologist, blogger, and writer, who started off as an academic and found tech support much more to his liking. After picking up blogging on a whim in 2004, he quickly became both a professional blogger and a leading expert in business blogging. He has been a part of several Web 2.0 startups from blogging software to blogging agencies and continues to write, blog, teach, and consult.
In addition to giving workshops and speaking at conferences, Tris also teaches social media, blogging, podcasting, and WordPress at UBC, BCIT, and other organizations. His first book “Creating Your First Blog: Six Easy Blogging Projects” is due out in early 2010. Currently Tris is a consultant on to companies on social media and the social media concierge for Media2o Productions.
Paul Holmes
IdeaZone.ca
Paul Holmes is President of IdeaZone.ca, a recognized leader in website design since 2000. Paul gained recognition as an authority on Social Media after organizing several successful online campaigns that embraced the technology. He is the Social Media architect for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and co-founded the Victoria chapter of the Social Media Club. Paul is also a contributor to many popular blogs, including his own, and regularly speaks to various groups regarding the effective use of social media.
Cindy Stephenson
PR Perspective
Cindy has over 15 years experience in government communications, is passionately interested in social media, and began bogging about a year ago. She holds a graduate degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and certificates in public relations from the University of Victoria and Royal Roads. Cindy volunteers as a PR consultant for Discovery School. Other interests include photography, fitness, tennis and classical music.
Chris Burdge
bWEST Interactive
Chris is President of bWEST Interactive, a marketing services firm that helps companies create genuine & lasting relationships with their target audience using social media. Chris has worked with fortune 1,000 clients and local businesses like Aviawest, Island Hearing and Scooter Underground, as well non-profits like Habitat for Humanity and Power To Be, to develop effective social media strategies. Chris is a regular speaker at conferences, trade shows and corporate events on social media strategies and trends.
Mike Vardy
The Mike Vardy
Mike Vardy is a Victoria-based writer/comedian who is the creator of the satirical productivity blog Eventualism in February 2008. The site demonstrates a Stephen Colbert-esque take on the world of productivity and lifehacking, and has interviewed many experts (and not-so-experts) as he attempts to preach the ideology of eventual productivity to the world. This has led him to become a contributor for ACTUAL productivity blogs, including WorkAwesome and the signature blog for the founder of Getting Things Done, David Allen’s GTD Times. You can also regularly find his humourous take on the world of productivity in the online/print publication Productive! Magazine.
Mike has also contributed to CBC Radio, both as a writer (Definitely Not The Opera) and performer (So You Think You’re Funny). He was one of the founders of the sketch comedy troupe The 30 Cent Players, who have performed at festivals throughout North America including Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle, Washington (DC) and most notably as the opening act for Kid In The Hall Bruce McCulloch at San Francisco Sketchfest. During his time with the troupe he has written too many sketches to count. He is also the co-host of Dyscultured, a weekly podcast (with accompanying blog) that “dyscusses and dysects” pop culture of the past and present…all with a very Canadian flavo(u)r.
Jodie Gastel
In Jodie’s Brain
Jodie Gastel has been a “Woman About Internet” for over a decade and has experienced it all. From experiments in micropayments to digital downloads, Jodie has made sure she’s been able to try as much as possible when it comes to conducting business online. For her efforts, Jodie has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, Inc Magazine, Fast Company and Entrepreneur Magazine and loves sharing her experiences so that others may learn. With most of her training coming from the school of hard knocks, this former Manager of the local Business Information Centre knows what it takes to keep things going.
Robin Heppell
Funeral Futurist
Robin Heppell is a fourth generation funeral director turned consultant, author, and speaker who focuses on trends and technology affecting the industry. His consultancy firm educates and offers clients online marketing solutions including Social Media strategies and websites powered by WordPress. Heppell received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Royal Roads University.
John Overall
Fire Dragon Hosting
John Overall has been working professionally online doing web design since 1999, and currently runs a small webhosting and design business. For the last 8 months he has been focusing on WordPress and Joomla site design and development, with an emphasis on WordPress. After having received many questions about how to use WordPress from his clients, he has developed an introductory course in using WordPress and will begin teaching it at a local community school for continuing education in January 2010.
John spends his time creating templates for WordPress, troubleshooting WordPress installs and helping his users get set up with the self-hosted version of WordPress. He likes to help people find easier ways to use their WordPress blog for promotions, or for simply sharing their message with the world.
