Proving Edmonton can draw a crowd in June for more than just hockey, we corralled our way out west for another memorable Canadians Connected event. Canada’s internet aficionados came together at the Pendennis—a historical gem with amazing views of the river valley—to explore the theme of the night: the power of online communities and taking a DIY approach to building a social media collective.
What was featured on tonight’s lineup? An engaging fireside chat, refreshing drinks, a .CA pop up shopping experience and the opportunity to connect with fellow internet lovers.
Kicking off the dialogue, Chad Ohman, Founder & Administrator of Mastodon Canada, took centre stage for a fireside chat led by Spencer Callaghan, CIRA’s Director of Brand & Communications. Together, they took the audience through a journey into Mastodon’s unique approach to social networking, emphasizing user privacy and community-driven content moderation as an open-source social media network. Ohman’s engaging discussion provided a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of social media platforms and their impact on digital communities.
Fun fact: Mastodon Canada’s mascot is a woolly mammoth, symbolizing the platform’s commitment to being a robust and user-friendly social networking site.
Julie Lepine, Manager of Member Relations for CIRA, followed the fireside chat, stressing the importance the role CIRA members—who can join for free with a .CA domain—play in shaping Canada’s internet landscape.
The spotlight then turned to our .CA businesses as three featured speakers took the stage. Connor from Local Laundry, Carley from Nest Embirdery and Angie of Under This Moon shared their inspiring stories and discussed the impact of having a .CA domain on their businesses. Each highlighted how their online presence has enabled them to reach wider audiences and connect more deeply with their communities.
Pop-up shopping powered by .CA
Joined by Monster Sauce and Mili Jewelry, all five .CAs created a marketplace where attendees could shop their creations and connect with the business owners one on one.
Local Laundry: Local Laundry builds community through Canadian-made clothing, emphasizing local identity, community storytelling, charity donations and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Mili Jewelry: a #yeg-based purveyor of demi-fine jewelry, specializing in delicate and elegant pieces that blend timeless charm with modern sophistication.
Monster Sauce: a culinary adventure born out of a passion for bold flavors and homemade goodness, Monster Sauce celebrates the joy of cooking, eating and sharing delicious meals with loved ones.
Nest Embirdery: driven by a passion for birds and art, Nest Embirdery specializes in crafting unique embroidered creations that blend textures, colors and stitching techniques inspired by the beauty of nature.
Under This Moon: born from a personal journey of self-discovery and transition, Under This Moon blends creativity with affirmations and gratitude to offer unique stationery that supports and inspires.
.CA swag sweepstakes
New connections, insights and memories weren’t the only things guests took home from the night. All attendees received a raffle ticket, giving them the exciting opportunity to snag prizes worth over $150 each from the five featured .CA businesses and Mastodon Canada.
Live .CA entertainment
Throughout the night, K4T GR4M kept the energy high at Canadians Connected: Edmonton with their lively tunes, playing iconic Canadian hits and making a memorable experience for all.
And everyone was in for a treat with Simon Glassman, a caricature maestro who had us all eagerly queued up for their turn in his chair. He created personalized sketches that sparked laughter throughout.
Several other .CA businesses played a part in making Canadians Connected: Edmonton a success, including:
- Amore Kitchen (amorekitchen.ca)
- DJ Market Sound (marketsound.ca)
- Lauren Toma Photography (laurentoma.ca)
- Old Saw (oldsaw.ca)
Captured moments
Swipe for a look at some of the evening’s fun, captured by .CA photographer Lauren Toma:
Watch the recap video
Relive all the highlights from Canadians Connected Montreal courtesy of our friends at Old Saw!
Keep an eye out for the next Canadians Connected event!
A friendly reminder before we sign off: everyone and anyone is welcome to attend our Canadians Connected networking series. So be sure to watch our CIRA social channels for updates on where and when the next event is happening—both IRL and virtually!
